Dental Phobia Poses Problems for Many

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 13 July 2012 10:35



There are many reasons why people don't visit the dentist. A fear of the dentist is a major one.

Dental phobia could prevent some people from going for a routine dental visit for years. The result is obviously poor oral health. A small problem often turns in a larger one that could have easily been prevented.

For some, a bad experience as a child may have set them on the path toward fearing future visits.

But this issue can be fixed for many people based on the advances in many dental offices. There are many techniques and tools in modern dental offices that can alleviate fear. There are also various anesthetics and anti-anxiety drugs available to ease one's nerves.

There are even some dentists that give the patients the ability to say when they want to start and stop treatment after explaining exactly what will be done. This allows the patient to believe they are in control, a feeling many feel they don't possess during a dental visit.

There are even some dentists who could be considered dental phobic specialists, enabling them to work with a patient to overcome his or her dental phobia.

Based on all of these innovations, there should be fewer people who fear dental visits. Lowering the amount of people that fear dental visits would be a big step for more people to maintain solid oral health.

BPA Fillings Could Lead to Increased Risk of Behavioral Issues

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 18 July 2012 11:17



Bisphenol A fillings may have some unintended results.

A new study indicates that BPA fillings may be linked to behavioral problems in children. The research showed that children who had some type of dental fillings made from BPA had a higher chance to encounter some type of behavioral or emotional problem.

The research did not take into account the level of BPA in the fillings. There was no research done on some of the other chemicals that may have been present in the fillings, either.

The study was done, according to lead researcher Nancy Maserejian of the New England Research Institutes in Waretown, Mass., because the leaching process of chemicals from fillings is a hot-button issue in dentistry.

BPA fillings are becoming more prevalent because of their color, which blends in with teeth. BPA, however, is also a substance utilized in the manufacturing of packaging materials and tinned items.

The researchers poured through data of 534 children ages 6 through 10 who had some type of amalgam or composite filling. BPA was utilized in one of the two newer kinds of fillings.

Five years after the receiving the filling, the parents answered questions about their child’s behavior and attitude, in addition to school and any feelings of anxiety/depression. The researchers concluded that children with BPA fillings had a higher point score on average (signifying behavioral issues).

The research also concluded that children with fillings on chewing surfaces of their teeth also had a higher point score. The possible leaching of chemicals in this case may come from the constant chewing and grinding of the teeth.

Americans Aren’t Knowledgeable About Oral Health

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 18 July 2012 14:17



If it were up to the average American, oral health would be in a bad place right now.

A survey conducted by the American Dental Association indicates that the average American’s oral health knowledge earns a letter grade of D.

The results come from a recent ADA survey about how educated people are about their oral health.

The survey concluded that 90 percent of adults think it’s best to brush their teeth right after each meal. In actuality, a person should brush when they wake up and before going to sleep. If a person brushed after each meal, he or she could spread around the possible acidic food just consumed, which could damage the enamel.

The survey also showed that 65 percent of people believe they should change their toothbrush every six months. The ADA recommends changing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.

Roughly 75 percent of American adults were unaware of the time in which they should take their child for his or her first dental appointment. This is something that should be done when the child is a year old, according to the ADA. The survey also showed that people think flossing should be done twice per week. The ADA suggests flossing once per day.