DEALING WITH DENTAL PHOBIA? 4 Strategies to Help You Overcome Your Fear
One of the most common fears some people have is going to the dentist. About 9%–15% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or
fear — that’s 30–40 million people! But going to the dentist is vital for your dental and overall health. Here are four strategies to help you overcome your fear of the dentist. 1. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FEAR. Before you can overcome your dental phobia, you first need to recognize and understand why you’re afraid of it in the first place. Some of the most common reasons people have are the lack of control and fear of the unknown, embarrassment about their dental health, and bad experiences in the past. Once you acknowledge why you’re afraid, you can begin taking steps to overcome those fears.
2. FIND THE RIGHT DENTIST. The right dentist can make all the difference. You want to find a dentist’s office with a friendly staff who can answer your questions and great reviews from current patients. Once you find the right office, you will feel relaxed, comfortable, and confident about the care you will receive. SHOULD YOU TRY THE TIKTOK BALSAMIC VINEGAR SODA?
Dentists Say ‘No’
If you’re on TikTok or have teens who use the platform, you might have heard about a new, trendy way to quit soda. According to one viral video, it’s easy to go cold turkey: All you have to do is swap out your daily Coke for a blend of flavored sparkling water and balsamic vinegar. Tasty, right?
vinegar and similarly acidic flavored sparkling water is a perfect way to wear down the enamel that protects your teeth.
“Tooth erosion is permanent and may open the door for bacteria to cause cavities or infection,” the press release explains. “It can also make teeth appear discolored, as white enamel is worn away to expose the yellow layer below called dentin.”
Even if that combination does sound delicious to you, you should think twice before giving it a try. Apparently, the concoction can wreak havoc on teeth, to the point that it got the attention of the American Dental Association! They even put out a press release. It’s pretty rare for this official body to comment on TikTok fads. But in this case, they had to sound the alarm. According to the press release, drinking a combination of acidic balsamic
The ADA even quoted a dentist on the topic.
“I love balsamic vinegar, but I enjoy it more on my salad than in my drinking glass. It’s much kinder to the teeth than bathing them in a beverage blend of two acids,” said Dr. Edmond Hewlett. Yikes! Of course, soda is acidic, too — so what should you drink? The ADA recommends water or milk as more tooth-healthy alternatives. If you really want to have a soda or jump on the TikTok bandwagon, make sure you use a straw, rinse your mouth out with water, and snack on a dairy product like cheese afterward to neutralize the acid. If you’re already dealing with worn-down enamel from years of drinking acidic beverages, talk to your dentist about fillings for potential cavities and/or veneers to whiten up your smile. It’s not too late to get your confidence back.
2 • www.dentalimplantsnorthdakota.com
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