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Don't be afraid of the dentist
Many of us feel anxious when visiting
the dentist. In fact, 30 million to
40 million Americans avoid seeing the dentist
because of fear, according to an article
reviewed by the faculty of Columbia University’s
School of Dental & Oral Surgery.
Judy Romano, department chair of the
dental hygiene program at Hudson Valley
Community College in Troy, N.Y., says fear
of the dentist is common among all ages,
especially those in middle age or older
who may have had past traumatic dental
experiences. Patients commonly fear pain.
“The good news is
that better pain control,
better atmosphere
and greater attention
to people’s phobias in
the office are addressing many patient
concerns,” says Romano. As a result,
today’s children are having better experiences
at the dentist’s office. Some dental
offices are using music, TVs and pleasing
scents, like coffee, to create a more
relaxed atmosphere. There’s even a growing
business in spa dentistry!
“Communication skills are important to
make patients aware about what’s going to
happen to them,” she says. Dentists are
more aware of dental phobia now than in
the past and try to address fears in a positive
way. Speak to your dental provider
about any concerns you may have.
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For more information about
good oral care, log on to My Health eVet
at www.myhealth.va.gov.
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In your quest for total wellness,
don’t overlook dental hygiene.
Research shows that people with
periodontal disease, also called gum
disease, have a greater risk for heart
disease than those with healthy gums.
Some doctors say dental inflammation
causes increased plaque buildup
in the arteries, while others think oral
bacteria affect the heart when they
enter the bloodstream.
“Oral care is closely tied to the
physical well-being of all our veterans,”
says Norman W. Bartz, Jr.,
D.D.S., chief of dental services for
VA Western New York Healthcare
System. “It impacts their social
presence and plays a significant role
in preventing medical complications
associated with disorders like diabetes
and certain heart conditions.”
Steps you can take
These basic steps will protect your
teeth and gums and keep you smiling
for years to come:
Brush at least twice a day. Many
people don’t brush for a long
enough period of time. To make
sure you do, turn on the radio
and brush for the duration of one
song. Clean the surfaces of all
your teeth. And make it a point
to brush at bedtime.
Floss at least once a day. Flossing
helps remove plaque that can lead to cavities and gum disease from
hard-to-reach surfaces near the
gumline.
Choose a toothbrush with three or
four rows of soft, rounded bristles
and replace every three months.
Be aware of gum disease signs.
Redness, swelling or bleeding are
early signs of gingivitis, or gum
inflammation. If not treated, gingivitis
can destroy the periodontal
tissues that support the teeth.
Severe gum disease usually leads to
tooth loss.
Avoid sweets. The bacteria that live
in your mouth use sugar to produce
acids that destroy tooth enamel.
See your dentist once a year for
a checkup and have your teeth
professionally cleaned every six
months.
“Oral cancer screenings save
thousands of lives each year
and prevent needless suffering
through early cancer detection,”
says Dr. Bartz. VA dental service
provides dental care to eligible
veterans, which is based on specific
guidelines. If your eligibility does
not include dental services we
encourage you to use these tips and
work with your own dentist to optimize
your dental health.If you have
questions about dental eligibility,
call the Veterans Service Center at
(888) 823-9656.
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