Relieving Dental Anxiety

An estimated 40 million Americans experience anxiety disorders each year. An anxiety disorder is a mental illness that causes feelings of worry, panic, and terror for no apparent reason. Common symptoms of anxiety include chest pain, dizziness, trembling, nausea, muscle tension, and shortness of breath.

If you’re nervous, shaky, or antsy in the dental chair, it can be difficult for Dr. Atherton to treat your mouth. Intravenous sedation keeps you still, relaxed, and responsive to Dr. Atherton’s requests. Additionally, muscle tension and heart pounding can make you feel more sensitive to pain. Sedation will help reduce your discomfort.

Easing Dental Phobia

According to Mental Health America, a phobia is a disabling or irrational fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. People with dental phobia may avoid visiting the dentist all together, which means they won’t be receiving the preventive oral care they need. Mental Health America reports that there are three main types of phobias—all of which are related to dental fear:

• Agoraphobia: People with agoraphobia are afraid of being in a situation from which they cannot escape—such as the middle of a dental procedure or a crowded dentist waiting room. During sedation, you will forget you’re in a dentist office and drift off to relaxation.
• Specific Phobia: Specific phobias produce a fear of a particular object or situation. For example, specific dental phobias may include a distress about the sights, sounds, and smells associated with dental tools and offices. Sedation dentistry will drown out distractions and keep your mind free.
• Social Phobia: Social phobia presents a fear of embarrassment in front of other people. If you’re ashamed to show Dr. Atherton your smile because you have stained teeth or bad breath, she is here to restore your confidence.

Dental anxiety and phobias can be treated with sedation. IV sedation keeps you comfortable at one appointment, thereby reducing your fear in the future. Call (540) 951-2260 to schedule an appointment with New River Valley Dental in Blacksburg, Virginia.

All Stains React Differently

Some tooth stains are easier to remove than others. For example, yellow discoloration usually lightens easily, while gray and brown stains require more treatment. Additionally, intrinsic stains occur within your teeth as a result of injury, medication, or overexposure to fluoride. Intrinsic stains often don’t respond well to whitening, and Dr. Atherton may suggest bonding or veneers to mask your discolorations. Before you begin whitening your teeth, Dr. Atherton will evaluate the shade of your smile to determine which method will effectively brighten your smile.

Don’t Whiten Too Much

“Bleachorexia” is a term cosmetic dentists use to describe an addiction to bleaching. Some people abuse their at-home whitening treatments in the hopes of achieving their desired results quicker. However, over-bleaching causes tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, enamel erosion, and bluish discoloration. Dr. Atherton uses the Zoom! in-office whitening system to brighten your smile up to ten shades in just one hour. You can touch-up your smile at home and check your progress with Dr. Atherton. Remember, if you have any questions about your treatment or your oral health, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Atherton.

Keep Your Smile White

Professional whitening can remove years of stains, but it doesn’t mean they’re stain-proof. Although you can touch up your teeth if needed, proper maintenance is essential to keep your smile bright. Try to limit your consumption of dark-colored foods and beverages, and brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after eating to prevent stains from soaking in. Additionally, cosmetic bonding can hide minor discolorations, but keep in mind that the composite resin bonding material is shade-matched to your teeth. We suggest brightening your smile before receiving bonding. If you want a virtually stain-resistant smile, Dr. Atherton may suggest porcelain veneers. The ceramic material used to make veneers doesn’t stain easily.

Dr. Atherton will evaluate the shade of your teeth and create a whitening treatment plan tailored to your needs. Contact New River Valley Dental in Blacksburg, Virginia, at (540) 951-2260 to schedule a cosmetic consultation.

Cramming for your Appointment

Cleaning your mouth directly before your appointment won’t fool our team. Your Blacksburg dental hygienists, Crystal and Tara, will clean your mouth to remove tartar and bacteria. However, extreme plaque accumulation is a sign of poor brushing habits. Additionally, Dr. Atherton may detect cavities or gum disease that can’t be erased by cramming.

Some people are embarrassed by bad breath and may choose to brush beforehand as a courtesy to their hygienists, but our experienced team can handle all your dental problems. We recommend coming to your appointment with the natural state of your mouth so we can determine the source of your problem and assess your behaviors. We will also suggest how you can improve your oral healthcare routine to keep your mouth healthy.

Preparing for your Appointment

The best way to prepare for your dental checkup is to brush and floss daily. Maintaining proper hygiene will prevent dental problems and show our team that you understand how to take care of your smile, thereby making your appointments quicker and simpler. Dr. Atherton also offers these tips to make your dental experience comfortable and successful.

1. Take note of any changes in your health or insurance so we can keep your file up-to-date. If you’re a new patient, be ready to discuss your medical history with Dr. Atherton so we can determine your risks and appropriate treatments.
2. Please review our office policies before coming to your appointment. We try to keep our services fair to all our patients. Understanding our rules and clarifying your insurance policy will help prevent unwanted surprises.
3. Arrive early so you have time to relax and prepare. We recommend arriving at our office at least ten minutes early so you have enough time to complete paperwork and calm your mind. If you’re late, please call our office to explain your situation. We may ask you to reschedule your appointment to be respectful of other patients’ appointment times.
4. Discuss your concerns with Dr. Atherton. If you require sedation or any special accommodations, please tell our office ahead of time so we can prepare for you and provide the materials you need.

If you have any questions about how to prepare for your appointment, call Dr. Atherton at New River Valley Dental at (540) 951-2260.