What Causes Dental Anxiety?

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Dental anxiety is a phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. In some people, dental anxiety can be so severe that they avoid visiting the dentist their whole lives. Ironically, this makes dental health a critical issue and dental treatments more intense when they finally do visit the dentist. So, what’s at the bottom of dental anxiety? The core reasons vary among individuals, but here are some common reasons that people cite for dental anxiety:

Past Dental Trauma

A past dental trauma can lead to future dental anxiety. If a person visited a dentist in the past who was insensitive to the patient’s experience, did treatment without informing the patient of what was happening, or was less than proficient, these can all lead to having an ingrained fear of visiting the dentist.

Fear of Pain

Many people have a fear of pain or low pain thresholds. Even though there have been many advancements in dental techniques, including sedation dentistry in Jacksonville, FL, many patients still avoid going to the dentist out of fear. This underlying fear is made worse by myths and distortions, often by the media, which play on people’s fears. In reality, if you explain to your dentist that you have anxiety, they will be sensitive to your needs and help you to feel more relaxed.

Potential For Embarrassment

For many people, dental anxiety stems from feeling embarrassed about the condition of their oral health. If a person has avoided the dentist for many years, they’ll likely have less optimal oral health. In a vicious circle, they avoid the dentist, worsening the condition. You should know that professional dentists don’t judge a person by their oral health. The idea is to save as many original teeth as possible and get a person back to smiling confidently.

Generalized Anxiety

Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder can further intensify dental anxiety. People with these conditions might have heightened anxiety levels, making dental appointments more challenging.

At Mandarin Dentistry, we hope that dental anxiety won’t keep you from visiting the dentist in Jacksonville, FL. We offer sedation dentistry and are eager to make you feel as comfortable, welcome, and relaxed as possible. We treat each patient with respect and dignity. Contact us today to book your appointment!

Why A Good Electric Toothbrush Can Offer Superior Cleaning Action

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You may have heard that a good electric toothbrush can keep your teeth cleaner than a standard manual toothbrush. It’s true! Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing debris from your teeth than standard manual toothbrushes.

If you’re considering buying an electric toothbrush, it’s important to understand why these toothbrushes are so much better. As your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, we’re happy to answer your questions. Here’s what you need to know.

Electric Toothbrushes Make Tiny Movements You Can’t Make

When you brush your teeth with a manual toothbrush, you likely scrub back and forth to fight the plaque and tartar. Electric toothbrushes don’t operate this way. Some use oscillating-rotating technology, which means the head rotates as it cleans your teeth. Other toothbrushes use sonic technology to vibrate as you brush.

Regardless of the type of electric toothbrush you’re using, the tiny movements the head makes can be much more effective than the back-and-forth scrubbing that we use to clean our teeth ourselves.

Electric Toothbrushes Time Your Teeth Cleaning

Typically, electric toothbrushes will time your toothbrushing and let you know when you’ve been brushing for two minutes. This is because you’re supposed to brush for two minutes each time you do it. With help from this timer, many people brush their teeth for longer with an electric toothbrush than they do with a manual one.

Some Toothbrushes Even Track Your Brushing Activity

Some toothbrushes know when you’re cleaning various parts of your mouth and use an app to track your activity. These toothbrushes can use this information to provide you with helpful tips as you clean your teeth.

Want more information about which type of toothbrush is right for you? Ask your dentist for a toothbrush recommendation the next time that you come in for a dental cleaning in Jacksonville, FL. The professionals at Mandarin Dentistry are here to help.

Common Flossing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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Flossing daily can mean the difference between good oral health and ongoing dental issues. Your dentist in Jacksonville, FL, has probably recommended that you floss daily on many occasions. But did you know that flossing can actually be harmful if you don’t do it right?

Common Flossing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are the most common flossing mistakes and what you can do to avoid making them.

Flossing at the Wrong Time

Most dentists in Jacksonville, FL, recommend floss before brushing your teeth at night before you go to bed. Your saliva production decreases while you sleep, leaving your mouth more prone to bacterial growth. So flossing at night before you go to bed is extremely important to your overall dental health.

Flossing Too Deep

If you floss your teeth too aggressively to where the floss gets down into your gums, it will damage them, which could lead to other dental issues. So always floss gently and schedule routine teeth cleaning in Jacksonville, FL.

Flossing After Brushing

You should always floss before brushing your teeth. Flossing loosens up the food and plaque between your teeth and brushing your teeth brushes that debris away.

Not Flossing Your Whole Tooth

Many people don’t realize that you have to floss both sides of each tooth. If you don’t floss both sides of each tooth, you probably aren’t benefit from flossing.

Stopping Flossing If Your Gums Bleed

It’s common to see a little blood when you floss, especially if you’ve flossed too aggressively. It’s also a sign that you need to floss more regularly. However, if the bleeding continues, you might want to make a dental appointment for a diagnosis.

Do You Need a Dentist in Jacksonville, FL?

If you need a dentist in Jacksonville, FL, or any of the surrounding areas, please Contact Mandarin Dentistry today. We provide a warm, comfortable, relaxing environment. And we promise to treat you with all the care and respect you deserve.

What’s Causing My Gums to Recede?

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Gum recession can put your teeth at risk, by causing loss of java bone and ultimately, loose teeth. If you have receding gums, your dentist in Jacksonville, FL can help. At Mandarin Dentistry, we can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Knowing what causes gum recession and what steps you can do to protect your teeth can help with this problem. See below.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gum recession can be caused by a number of factors. Some of the common causes of gum recession include:

  • Genetics
  • Brushing your teeth too hard
  • Periodontal disease
  • Poor dental hygiene
  • Teeth grinding

How Can I Stop My Gums from Receding?

The way to stop your gum recession from happening is to first discover the root cause of the gum recession. Your dentist can help you with this. By looking at the evidence, your dentist should be able to pinpoint why your gums are receding and what can be done about it.

Some tips to stop gum recession:

  • Brush twice daily and floss once per day.
  • Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Brush with gentle strokes.
  • See the dentist twice per year for dental cleanings.
  • If you smoke, stop smoking to improve your overall oral hygiene.
  • If you grind your teeth at night, wear a nightguard.

Once your gums have receded, your dentist may recommend a number of treatments to manage the problem. Treatments may include taking antibiotics or getting gum grafting surgery. Your dentist will recommend the best treatment for your needs.

Want To Protect Your Teeth From Gum Recession? See the Dentist Regularly

Preventative dentistry in Jacksonville, FL is important in the fight against gum recession. Call Mandarin Dentistry today to make your dental appointment.