Month: April 2023

Even during a regular cleaning, it is common for your family dentist to recommend dental X-rays. Most likely, at a certain point in our lives, most of us have had a mouth x-ray taken, and for good reason.

X-rays are a relatively common dental technique that enables your dentist to see through your tooth enamel, into your bone, beneath your gums, and to the roots of your teeth. This technique involves a small amount of radiation, so it’s safe to undergo this procedure. According to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, these X-rays release low levels of radiation compared to the amount of background radiation we naturally experience daily.

Why are dental X-rays taken, and when are they harmful?

There are different classifications of dental X-rays, each designed to capture a unique perspective of your mouth.

• Dental Bitewings: When biting down, dental bitewings provide a close-up view of the crowns of your upper and lower teeth. Frequently usage of this type of X-ray by dentists in detecting cavities between your teeth.
• Occlusal X-rays: Occlusal X-rays assist your dentist in evaluating your top and lower teeth, the roof of the mouth, and the floor of the mouth. The utilization of this technique by dentists helps to identify additional teeth, unerupted teeth, jaw fractures, oral pathology, and other dental anomalies.
• Panoramic X-rays: The machine rotates around the head to provide a complete view of your mouth. This technique can assess wisdom teeth, make room for dental implants, detect jaw anomalies, and even for orthodontic purposes.
• Periapical X-rays: The periapical X-ray helps provide a close-up view of a tooth’s crown, root, and surrounding bone.

What risks may X-ray pose?

The radiation levels from X-rays are very low, and there are so many safety procedures that there is little to no risk of cancer from them. So, the dentist will only recommend X-rays when it is necessary.

There is no definitive answer to the query of how many dental X-rays are safe in a single day, month, or year. When taking X-rays, all dental professionals undergo training to follow the “ALARA” principle, which stands for “As Low as Reasonably Achievable,” to ensure that the patient only receives a safe amount of radiation.

Who should avoid getting X-rays?

In some cases, such as when advised by a medical practitioner, it may be prudent to forego mouth X-rays. It could apply to young children or pregnant women. However, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental X-rays are generally safe for pregnant patients. Furthermore, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women concurs. Pregnant women often need reassurance that X-rays (with protection for the belly and thyroid) are safe during oral disease prevention and treatment.

How should I prepare for dental X-rays?

There are no special steps or precautions to take before getting mouth X-rays other than routine brushing and flossing. When it is time for X-rays during your dental appointment, wearing a lead vest or thyroid collar over your chest is mandatory, and positioning the X-ray machine to acquire photos of your oral cavity.

To solve your oral health problems, seek top dental care.

Our dentists provide comprehensive service that meets short and long-term dental care needs at Dunn Dental, Oakville Family Dentist. We are committed to assisting you in keeping a stunning smile. X-rays are only taken as necessary by our dental professionals, and you can rest assured of all safety measures every time.

Whether you require dental emergency care, root canal treatment, cavity fillings, or a routine dental check-up and cleaning, we provide a wide range of dental services in a relaxing environment for you and your family.

Do you have a phobia just thinking about going to the dentist? If that’s the case, you are not alone. Dental anxiety is common among people of any age, and this fear has many causes. Because of a bad dental experience or a fear of discomfort, some people may avoid going to the dentist, which delays or avoids dental treatment. Additionally, some people can develop fear due to a loved one’s fear of the dentist or even the financial burden of dental care.

Anxiety about visiting the dentist or having difficulties sleeping the night before can also be signs of dental anxiety. Furthermore, when particular dental materials, such as the drill or anesthetic needle, are used, some people may develop dental anxiety. In some cases, even the dental office’s odor can cause tension.

Unfortunately, skipping dentist appointments due to fear will almost always result in later, more severe dental and overall health problems. The good news is that the fear of seeing a dentist can be tackled and overcome.

Dental Anxiety And Its Symptoms

An individual can express their dental anxiety in many ways. Some of the most common symptoms are mild anxiety, insomnia the night before an appointment, and “butterflies” in the stomach. Dental phobia, though, can frequently become considerably worse. The following are some of the symptoms of severe dental anxiety:

• Constantly thinking about future dental visits
• Nausea
• Increased heart or pulse rate
• Sweaty palms
• Crying, panic attacks, even at the thought of the dentist
• Breathing difficulties during a dental visit

How To Handle Dental Phobia

You can control dental anxiety by telling your dentist about your worries and having an open conversation with them about your dental issues. Our Oakville family dentist can then make adjustments to match your needs and work to improve the comfort of the dental setting so that you have a good experience by overcoming dental phobia.

1. Understand the procedure by asking your dentist.

Your dentist appointment can be less stressful if you are more informed about the procedure you need to undergo and what to anticipate. If you have any queries or worries regarding your treatment, your dentist can address them. Your visit to your dentist will be more pleasurable and less stressful if you interact with your dentist and dental staff.

2. Don’t go to your first appointment by yourself.

You may have the option of having company with you during your procedure if the dental practice allows it to make your experience more comfortable. As an alternative to bringing company inside the dental clinic, having them wait for you in the parking lot after your procedure can help relieve some anxiety.

3. Music is beneficial to calm your fear and anxiety.

While visiting the dentist, using distraction techniques like music on headphones might help you shift your attention away from the process and towards sights and noises that make you happy. Music can also mask sounds that cause anxiety, such as the drill.

4. Consult your dentist about sedation alternatives.

There are certain situations where sedatives may be appropriate, considering certain factors. Check with your dentist to see if local anesthetics, nitrous oxide or laughing gas, oral sedatives, or intravenous sedation are available and appropriate for your procedure.

5. Take a break using hand signals.

A pause during treatment may be beneficial whenever you are anxious or uncomfortable. Consult your dentist about using hand signals to communicate with them throughout a procedure to initiate when a break is required.

6. Use the medication as needed.

Ask your dentist if there are any options for medication to assist in managing anxiety if you have extreme fear or anxiety before going to the dentist.

7. Read a book or watch television.

A television may be available in some dental clinics, which can assist you in diverting your attention and reducing tension. Reading a book can help to decrease your stress level and keep your mind occupied with things other than a dental procedure.

8. Avoid caffeine before your next appointment.

Caffeine might make you anxious, so avoid it before going to the dentist.

9. Make it a habit of performing breathing exercises.

Using relaxation techniques like breathing exercises can be beneficial during dental procedures. Inhale deeply and release slowly to help relax your muscles and reduce stress.

10. Try choosing an appointment time that suits you and is less stressful.

Make your next dental appointment at a time that suits you best when you don’t need to rush or stressed out. An early morning appointment is the best to make you feel less stressed.

Finally, today’s dentist offices are friendly locations that specialize in keeping your smile bright and healthy in a painless manner. Use our dentist anxiety recommendations to help you get through your next dental appointment. So, please call 905-845-3211 to make an appointment with Dentistry on Dunn: Oakville Family Dentist to offer you a caring dental experience and brighten your smile. 

Also Read: The Importance Of Regular Dental Check-Ups

The removal of teeth stains and making your teeth regain their luminosity is one of the primary reasons that the people of Oakville contemplate visiting an Oakvlle family dentist. It is possible to get stains on your teeth for many reasons, including prolonged consumption of certain foods, long-term exposure to liquids like soda, or just as a normal part of aging and wear.

With that said, there are certain things to keep in mind to prevent stains from occurring in the first place. It is critical to gain a better understanding of the various kinds of teeth stains that you may encounter at some point in your life.

Varieties of teeth stains

Extrinsic Stains:

Stains that accumulate on the outer surface of your teeth due to exposure to things like coffee, wine, dark beverages, or even tobacco are called extrinsic stains.

Intrinsic Stains:

Intrinsic stains are those stains that develop on the inside of the teeth. These can appear as a result of excessive fluoride exposure or certain minerals, and they can also occur as a result of the aging process. In some cases, trauma can result in intrinsic stains.

Intrinsic stains are most frequently the outcome of prior Root Canal therapy. After the root canal treatment, teeth, particularly those in the front of the mouth, can darken over time.

Treatment required to remove stains

Although teeth whitening can be very effective, it works best when coping with extrinsic stains. Teeth whitening holds, especially if you face any challenges removing the stains after brushing and cleansing. Even though the removal of intrinsic stains by teeth whitening products, the best results may take more time and effort. Extrinsic stains may be removed in a few weeks with the right products, while intrinsic stains will take several months or longer, depending on the severity of the issue.

Take-home whitening products, in our experience, are an excellent way to handle extrinsic staining. It takes 15-30 minutes to whiten your teeth with custom-fitted trays. They contain professional-grade whitening products. The teeth-whitening packages have enough supplies for future touch-ups as well!

It’s also critical to understand that if you’re contemplating a technique like Invisalign to address issues like gaps in your teeth, an overbite, crowded teeth, and others, you should first address issues like teeth whitening. Consult Dr. Sucheta Haobam about everything from teeth whitening to dental work like bridges, implants, and anything related to dental health for further assistance. After you’ve completed all of your other dental work, you can consider Invisalign to help you achieve the perfect grin you’ve always wanted for yourself.

Contact Dentistry on Dunn: Oakville Family dentist today if you’d like to learn more about teeth stains or to schedule an appointment with a dental professional to discuss your situation in more detail.