What should you do if you suffer from extreme dental anxiety?

 

There are many things in life that can make us feel unsettled or generally ill at ease, and for some people, a trip to the dentist is one of those things. If visiting the dentist is something that makes you feel extremely anxious, here at CK Dental we want to do everything we can to reassure you that it really isn’t that bad.

The first thing to let you know is that you’re not alone. In fact, far from it. A fear of going to the dentist actually has its own medical terminology – those who are nervous about booking a dentist appointment are believed to suffer from a condition called ondontophobia. This literally translates to fear of the dentist. The very severest of cases are where people will refuse all together to ever see the dentist and people who suffer with this condition are known as dentally phobic.

We’re not that scary! Honestly

All jokes aside, it’s a serious matter. Without regular check-ups at the dentist your teeth and gums are at risk of developing abnormalities such as plaque, tooth decay, cavities, gum disease or maybe something even more serious such as mouth cancer.

If you are suffering from ondontophobia or dental phobia, some of these symptoms may sound familiar:

  • Feelings of stress of anxiety in the days leading up to your appointment
  • Insomnia the night before you’re due to see the dentist
  • Feelings of sickness and unease in the waiting room
  • Gagging or a feeling that you might physically struggle to breathe properly if a dental tool is inserted into your mouth

The underlying cause of this worry may come from one (or several) reasons. Some people worry about pain caused by dental inspections or treatments, while others may worry about the pain caused by administering anaesthetic with a needle. Some people feel an oral inspection is too close to their personal space and feel uncomfortable by the process, and others really don’t like the feeling that they don’t have control over what is happening in their mouths.

How to make the dental experience more positive

While all these fears may be rational, here at CK Dental we do everything we can to put you at ease, respect your worries and fears and to make you have a pleasant experience with us. One option for those suffering from extreme dental phobia is having your dental treatment performed under general anaesthetic. We are one of the few private dental clinics in the UK that can offer this option and all procedures are performed in one of Bristol’s leading private hospitals.

If you find visiting the dentist is making you feel stressed, nervous or nauseous, let us know that you’re feeling that way and we will do everything we can to make you feel more comfortable.

/by

Invisalign Q&As

Many people will remember train-track braces from when they were younger, as they are the standard NHS orthodontic fix for jumbled or protruding teeth. However, many people don’t realise that teeth don’t stop always moving. Quite often, if teeth were straightened when you were young, they may move again with age, hormonal changes or when wisdom teeth come through. Other people may not have opted for teeth straightening when they were younger, yet decide to go down that route when they are older.

Invisalign provider in Bristol

The idea of train-track braces as an adult may not be the most appealing idea and so here at CK Dental in Bristol we offer a newer, more visually appealing, modern alternative.

What can be done if I want straighter teeth but don’t want a visible brace?

Invisalign does what the name suggests – it straightens your teeth while being hardly noticeable. Instead of a wire which is cemented to the front of your teeth and tweaked to adjust their alignment, treatment with Invisalign braces is done with a series of plastic ‘trays’ or ‘aligners’, that fit over your teeth and are adjusted every few weeks.

How does Invisalign work?

Imprints are taken of your teeth and gums, and then aligners are custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly. The aligners slot in and out of your mouth easily, which means you can take them out when you want to eat or drink, brush your teeth and so on. Ideally you’ll keep them in for the majority of the time and this will ensure the process works as quickly as possible. They are very discrete too, at first glance you would not know that they are being worn, as they are transparent and do not protrude.

Does Invisalign hurt?

Although your teeth will ache when a new aligner is fitted, as there is no wire or attachments, these won’t cause discomfort inside the mouth in the same way that a train-track brace might do.

How long has Invisalign been available? I don’t want to be a guinea pig

Rest assured that even though Invisalign is relatively new to the UK market, it has been established since 1997 and has helped millions of people around the world achieve a smile that they are happier with.

How long will I need to wear my Invisalign braces for?

The process typically ranges from 9-18 months, depending on how much your teeth require adjusting and how complex the treatment is. Your dentist will be able to give you a good indicator of this at the initial consultation.

So, if you’ve decided that for 2018 you’re going to invest in a beautiful smile then now is the time to find out more about Invisalign.

/by