Sometimes you just really need to know how to control and prevent gag reflex.
The gag reflex is a perfectly normal thing. It is in fact your body’s way of protecting you from choking on things.
It occurs when you put any foreign thing in your mouth and when the throat naturally contracts when the thing touches your soft palate. This is a natural contraction that is called the gag reflex or the pharyngeal reflex. It prevents you from getting your airways blocked.
This is a good thing until you realize that it also occurs during brushing your teeth or while sitting in the dentist’s chair. At Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistrys, we have many patients who are unable to control their gag reflex when a dental procedure is being conducted on them. Worst of all, if you are unable to control it, it could result in you becoming anxious and breaking out in a cold sweat.
So how do you reduce dental gag reflex? Let’s see what the dentists at Celebrity Smiles, Westmont, have to say.
Prevent Gag Reflex During Dental Procedures
Some patients are unable to control their gag reflex when brushing their teeth or getting a dental procedure done at a dentist. This is almost always instantaneous and involuntary and makes it impossible for dentists to complete even the most basic dental care procedures.
As a result, many patients may become hesitant to visit a dentist for general dentistry until they face a significant problem with their teeth. It can also become quite an embarrassing problem for patients.
However, rest assured, there is a way to prevent gag reflex through desensitization, which is basically training your soft palate to not abruptly react to objects without gagging. And the best way to prevent it is to practice it while brushing your teeth.
Here are some desensitization tips to prevent gag reflex:
Find out when the gag reflex happens. To do this, use your toothbrush to brush your tongue. Start from the tip of the tongue and make your way deeper until the gag reflex happens.
Try to keep brushing this part for 10 seconds. When you have found the spot when this happens, train yourself not to gag naturally by inducing some gagging. Stop brushing when you feel that you can’t take this anymore. Train yourself daily until you can calmly brush your tongue on the same spot for at least 10 seconds.
Reach deeper into the mouth. When you have finally gained the control of your gag reflex on the spot, try reaching deeper. Keep moving further until you have moved to the farthest spot the brush can reach and you can comfortably brush there for at least 10 seconds.
If you want to prevent gagging while brushing your teeth, dentists highly recommend using an electric toothbrush or slowly increasing the brushing area as you go. During dental treatments, try and concentrate to breathe through your nose or use a nasal decongestant before you head to the dentist.
Talk to Your Dentist in Advance
At Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry, we understand how to gag reflex can be embarrassing and a reason for patients to not come to our office. Gagging can also be caused by psychological factors so it is very important to work with a dentist you can trust.
We take extra care to learn about the discomforts that our patients feel during dental treatment. Talk to us in advance when you come in for a procedure and we’ll take extra care while providing treatment to you. We will also recommend exercises to help you reduce or prevent gag reflex.
Using mouthwash regularly is an excellent way to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, but only if you use it properly. Here is the thing, there are many people who do not know how to properly use it. If you think you are using it the way it was meant to be, you will be surprised after reading what dentists at Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry have to say.
All Mouthwashes Are Not Made Equal
The benefits you get from a mouthwash largely depends on what type it is. They are classified as therapeutic and cosmetic. If you rinse your mouth with the cosmetic type, it will loosen food particles from your teeth, temporarily reduce bad breath, kill bacteria in your mouth, and will give you a refreshing taste.
Therapeutic rinses, on the other hand, have additional active ingredients added in them such as cetyl pyridinium chloride, essential oils, and chlorhexidine with fluoride. All of these are proven to not only reduce plaque but also help fight cavities. These carry with them the seal of approval from the American Dental Association.
In other words, choose wisely!
Mouthwash is Completely Harmless
You may think rinses are harmless, dentists believe otherwise. Did you know these products contain a high amount of alcohol in them? If you’ve ever felt having a dry mouth after using one regularly, this is why.
In some people, alcohol can also cause tooth sensitivity and other problems. So when you go out shopping for a mouthwash, try and get your hands on an alcohol-free one. You may still not be safe from the side effects since there are many other chemicals added to the product, but you’ll largely stay safe if you don’t excessively use these.
Mouthwash Can Never Replace Brushing
A lot of people think that a quick swish of mouth rinse is enough to have healthy teeth and gums. The truth is nothing can beat brushing and flossing your teeth. Regular brushing and flossing do a better job of removing plaque and other food debris from your teeth.
Even research has proven that using only a mouthwash is not enough. The key is to combine all of the above to get the best out of oral care. And don’t forget, even if you follow good oral hygiene practices, there are still some hidden ways your teeth and gums can be exposed to certain problems and diseases.
To keep your teeth and gums in perfect health, the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist on a regular basis. By regular we do not mean going to the dental office every month – the best time to go to a dentist is at least every six months or when you suspect something is wrong with your teeth.
Conclusion
Mouthwashes are great for killing bacteria, fixing the problem of bad breath, and maintaining good oral hygiene. However, you must never use these excessively and should never replace them completely with brushing and flossing.
If you suspect there is something wrong with your oral health, visit Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry in Westmont, IL today for a quick check-up.
Today we discuss why dentists recommend tap water for better teeth health.
Did you know your habit of drinking water from a bottle could indirectly be promoting tooth decay? It may come as a surprising thing because after all, bottled water doesn’t contain sugar or carbohydrates that convert into sugar and cause tooth decay, right?
Even though there is no sugar or sneaky carbohydrates involved, bottled water also does not contain fluoride in it, the important element that makes your teeth strong and prevents cavities and tooth decay.
Since manufacturers of these bottles treat the water in a special way, there is no fluoride left in the water. While some companies add fluoride to their water, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S does not require these companies to list the amount they add unless it has to be in a set limit.
In other words, if it is bottled water you are drinking, you are not getting enough fluoride.
Why is Fluoride so Important for Your Teeth?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and according to researchers, kids who drink more tap water have fewer cavities. When this was discovered, it was a huge thing because, before the discovery, many adults and children alike suffered from cavities and tooth decay leading to permanent removal of their teeth.
Ever since then communities around the world started adding fluoride to the water supplies. It has been like that since the 1940s. And over the following years, many other studies have provided enough evidence that fluoride found in tap water is a very safe and effective way to prevent decay and cavities. In fact, it can even help reverse tooth decay!
The Centers for Disease and Control has named this move one of the biggest public health achievements of the 20th century. In other words, tap water is a much better source of drinking water compared to bottled water. Just make sure that your community water supply is fluoridated before consuming tap water.
Why You Should Replace Bottled Water with Tap Water for Better Teeth Health?
If you have children at home, it is very important that you encourage the use of tap water in your home because children need healthy levels of fluoride in their bodies for healthy and strong teeth.
The fluoride found in toothpaste and professional treatments like preventative dentistry are an excellent way to ensure that your children are safe from tooth decay and cavities. But it is necessary that fluoride is also ingested through tap water to completely protect the teeth health.
So next time you reach out for a glass of water for yourself or your child, consider reaching for tap water through a filtering system. You’ll boost the teeth health for your family and you’ll also do something good for the environment.
At Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry, we believe in providing the best dental health care possible to you and your family through modern procedures and sound advice. For a regular dental exam, get in touch with us today.
Iron is important for your oral health because it is central to hemoglobin, the oxygen-binding molecule in your red blood cells.
Iron deficiency can lead to anemia – a condition that occurs when your body is unable to produce a sufficient amount of red blood cells. Because red blood cells carry oxygen with them throughout your bloodstream, a lack of them can keep the body from getting sufficient oxygen.
This leads to a variety of oral conditions such as soreness in the tongue, lack of color in gums, and many other problems that can impact your overall oral health and energy levels.
How Insufficient Iron Impacts Oral Health
Anemia reduces the number of red blood cells which can lead to paleness in the gums. This is a condition recognized by dentists as anemia gums. You can tell that you have an iron deficiency if your healthy pink gums begin to fade or change shade from their normal color.
The paleness in your gums can also affect your tongue color and the mucous membranes in the mouth as well as the lining of your eyes, and your palms. These are very important symptoms of iron deficiency and anemia. Other oral conditions include:
Redness of the tongue
Swollen tongue
Painful tongue
Deficiency Can Lead To Serious Illness
No matter what the symptoms of anemia, it is very important for you to visit a dentist to evaluate any changes in your gum and tongue color. These changes can reveal several systematic problems in the mouth and can lead to serious illness if ignored. Indeed, iron is important for your oral health.
Dentists especially recommend having your teeth checked for anemia gums because it can lead to conditions such as bone marrow problems or leukemia.
If you suffer from anemia, let one of our dentists at Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry know. We will prescribe special antimicrobial rinses to help prevent periodontal diseases. We may even prescribe antibiotic medicine to cut down your risk of related infections.
This is especially important if you recently went through an oral surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. Your dentist should be able to recommend changes in treatment and the tools they need to prevent problems. Patients who suffer from extreme anemia might be in need of more oxygen depending on the treatment.
What Is The Treatment for Anemia
To be able to find the right treatment for the condition, it is important to know what kind of anemia you have. But the end result is always a lack of red blood cells and oxygen delivery to your body.
The treatment vary based on the type of anemia you have. For instance, if you suffer from pernicious anemia which is typically caused by the lack of Vitamin B12, you may be required to take B12 in supplementation form.
However, the most common form of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia. This occurs when the body is unable to process the iron that keeps you up all day. Recommended treatment includes taking iron supplements as well as making healthy diet changes to include foods that are rich in iron such as dark green vegetables and red meat.
Interested to learn more about why iron is important for your oral health? Contact Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry in Westmont today for preventative dentistry and prevent any underlying dental conditions from becoming worse.
Our patients frequently want to know: is teeth whitening permanent? Here are our honest answers.
If you’re considering getting professional teeth whitening from a dentist in Westmont, then you probably have a lot of questions including whether it lasts a lifetime. Believe it or not, we get a lot of patients who are concerned about the longevity of this cosmetic procedure and the answer usually surprises them a lot.
The truth is that no matter how high-end and effective dental bleach is used in the procedure, it will not last forever – but the good news is that it will give you several years of a beautiful smile that you can flaunt confidently.
Why isn’t it permanent? You’ll have to understand everything about the procedure to find out the answer. So let’s have a look at it in detail.
How Long Will Professional Teeth Whitening Last?
If you’re opting for home-based whitening solutions such as white strips, they can last about six months or less before going completely ineffective. It will depend on what you eat and how often you brush your teeth.
Although these over-the-counter whitening products seem very attractive and affordable at first glance, they can easily add up in bills that result in you paying about $100-$150 in a year and the results aren’t as strong as cosmetic teeth whitening like we do here at our office.
At Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry, we use a high-end process that can last for years to come especially if you are good at taking care of your oral hygiene. We use a special gel and light to eliminate stains on the teeth. The results are almost instant and you’ll begin to see an improvement of 6-8 shades through it.
Extending Life Of Teeth Whitening Procedure
How long your teeth will remain brilliantly white depends a lot on the dental bleaching that is used as well as the food you eat and how good you are at oral hygiene. Most cosmetic dentistry services that you receive from a cosmetic dentist come with an after-care routine or package that you must follow to keep your smile looking pearly white.
Aside from the after-care plan you get, you must look after your eating habits and maintain a good oral hygiene routine to increase the life of the procedure. You will have to reduce consuming food and beverages like dark sodas, wine, tea, and coffee. You may even have to give up smoking for extended results.
Dentists also recommend that you drink a lot of water every day and practice oral hygiene regularly to prevent the teeth from getting yellow. When you get the cosmetic procedure, you must make sure to avoid any food or beverage that can stain your teeth because the first few days are particularly important.
Avoid acidic food and drinks that damage your enamel and keep brushing your teeth with a toothpaste recommended by your dentist.
So is teeth whitening permanent? The answer is no. Cosmetic teeth whitening may not be permanent but you can easily extend its life and have a bright smile for years to come.
If you want to learn more about the process, get in touch with Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry today at 630-626-8989 or fill an online contact form on our website.
Your Celebrity Smiles dentists believe that preventative dentistry is key to great oral health.
Over the last 30 years we have witnessed an incredible shift in health care approaches … For generations, medical care was viewed in a standard chronological order: You get sick, you go to the doctor, the doctor gives you medicine, and you then take the medicine until you are healthy again. However, as our understanding of the human body has expanded, many doctors – across fields – are questioning the efficacy of this method.
This doubt has led to a mind-boggling amount of “alternative treatments” being developed and marketed to the public. Some of these treatments are, objectively, scams that are designed to play off of people’s fears and ignorance while offering no defined benefits. However, a select few of these new practices have been lauded by medical professionals and private consumers alike. These new methods, which actually deliver on their claims, are lifted from the realm of “alternative treatments” … Away from the quackery of homeopathy and “natural male enhancement” products; and are reborn as “preventative medicine”, sitting side by side with more conventional treatments.
According to Dr. E.A. Clark, Preventative Medicine “Includes all measures which limit progression of disease at any stage of its course.” The US National Library of Medicine, in their official statement, goes on to say that “The aim of preventive medicine is the absence of disease, either by preventing the occurrence of a disease or by halting a disease and averting resulting complications after its onset. Preventive medicine can be practiced by governmental agencies, primary care physicians and the individual.”
The idea of “prevention” being the front-line of defense in your fight against disease is gaining momentum quickly and has given rise to more specific movements within medical specialties. In dentistry, you will often hear doctors discussing the oral-systemic connection. The oral-systemic connection in dentistry is another form of the preventative medicine practiced in other health fields.
“Systemic” is defined by the dictionary as something “relating to a system as opposed to a particular part”. So, the oral-systemic connection basically means that in order to treat the mouth, you must treat the entire body. This translates to doctors advocating preventative measures that will stop common oral diseases before they can gain a foothold in your mouth.
Preventative medicine, or oral-systemic treatments, can take many forms. However the goal is always the same: strengthen the entire body so it can fight off disease naturally; limiting your exposure to the illness as well as its severity. For the patient, this can mean anything from taking medical-grade nutritional supplements (nutraceuticals) all the way to adjusting your diet, exercise, or hygiene habits.
This methodology does require more discipline on the part of the patient. You must follow the doctor’s orders to the letter, every day; because the power of preventative medical treatments lies in its repetition rather than the dosage of an individual pill. However, it has also been found to be very effective. Patients who use conventional medicine in conjunction with preventative dental treatments get sick less often, heal more quickly, and experience far less discomfort while battling their condition. Not only does this save the patient from a potentially agonizing healing process, but it also saves them a great deal of money further down the road.
Furthermore, let us not forget that we are currently seeing one of the largest drug epidemics in our countries history. Deaths due to an overdose of pain-killers are at an all-time high. Abuse of most opiate pain medication usually starts when they are prescribed by a physician to treat a very real condition. Due to their addictive nature and a reputation to eliminate pain quickly, it only stands to reason that many people get hooked. However, with a focus on prevention, patients can now reduce (or eliminate) the need to take pain medication, or at least limit its necessity.
Although preventative medicine and oral-systemic treatments are rapidly gaining advocates, these movements are still in their infancy. So doctors who subscribe to this new ideology can be hard to find. Dr. Ronald Schefdore DMD of Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistrys & General Dentistry, however, is one of the few practitioners in Illinois that actively encourages prevention and supports the oral-systemic approach to dentistry. Neither he nor his patients could be more pleased with the results they have experienced, and his novel approach has become one of the leading reasons why he is the most esteemed dentist in Westmont Illinois.
If you are interested in more information about oral health and preventative dentistry, or just need a regular general dentist in the Chicago area, we strongly urge you to contact Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry as soon as possible. We are the premier dental health provider in Westmont, Oakbrook, Chicago, and beyond!
With so many health care options available today, we often hear doctor’s discussing the “medical standard of care” … What is the standard level of care? Is our practice living up to the expectations of our field? These – incredibly common – questions are a hot-topic for debate with many medical professionals. Rarely will two doctors agree on an exact definition of the term; let alone agree on its practical applications in real-world scenarios. Given its subjective nature, we aim to shed some light on this idiosyncratic phrase so you – as a patient – can determine for yourself if your doctor shares your priorities.
Used most commonly in malpractice law, the “medical standard of care” is regularly defined as “The level and type of care that a reasonably competent and skilled health care professional, with a similar background and in the same medical community, would have provided under the circumstances that led to the alleged malpractice.” It’s hard to read that explanation without being reminded of the words of Supreme Court Justice, Potter Stewart, when he said “[I don’t know what it is], but I know it when I see it.”
Given, when Justice Stewart expressed this thought it was in regards to obscenity in motion pictures, but the meaning is easily transferrable to the medical term. Basically, we don’t agree on what the medical standard of care is, but we know when it isn’t being met. So, it is up to the patient (you) to determine if your doctor/dentist is meeting – or exceeding – this not so lofty goal.
For instance, in the dental field, we are seeing a great surge in the development of “conveyor belt” dental offices. These practices pride themselves on the volume of patients that they see every day and their low cost; while sacrificing their quality of care and expertise of their staff. They found a niche in the medical field by exploiting PPO and HMO plans, making them the most affordable options for many Americans. Oddly enough, these facilities do meet the legal definition of the standard of care. However, many independent dentists view these “cavity, drill and fill” practices as the lowest-common-denominator in their field, and subtly hint that they do not fulfill the standard of care that they believe their patients deserve.
With a conveyor belt dentist office, you can still receive a good cleaning with the possibility of a somewhat thorough health exam. However, with the amount of patients that visit the office every day, the chances of your health-care needs being “lost in the crowd” are quite high.
One the other side of the spectrum, are independent (or “family”) dentist offices, such as Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry in Westmont. Since these practices are typically not run by a major corporation or trust, the lead doctor is allowed to set their own standards of care. Usually, their patients benefit as a result. In fact, a great example of this happening in real life just occurred at our practice…
Dr. Omar Ali & Dr. Ahmad Ahmad (lead dentists at Celebrity Smiles) are known for two things: Skilled dentistry and impulsive buying habits. So, when they came into our office the other day saying that they had bought a laser, we shrugged it off as just some new toy. However, when they began to educate us about its applications as a non-surgical, non-scarring, gentler alternative to major gum/soft-palette surgical tools, we truly saw how our practice stands above the others.
There is no way that in the “mega-dentist” facilities that such a seemingly absurd – yet highly beneficial – piece of equipment would have ever been approved by the corporate accountants. Yet here, it is a normal fixture in the examination room and is helping dozens of our patients to receive essential dental procedures. This is only possible due to Dr. Omar Ali & Dr. Ahmad Ahmad opinion’s of what the medical standard of care is. If they feel that your mouth deserves the superior care of modern technology, then that is what you shall receive. Yet it isn’t just the fancy new equipment that will set one practice apart from the other, it’s the little details.
Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry has made the comfort of its patients a priority since its founding over 30 years ago. By visiting our office in person you can have your own HD television for you to watch during your exam, take advantage of our messaging dentist chairs to ease your stress, all while lounging in a clean and recently renovated office. Yet if you go to other practices, you might only get a crowded lobby, flooded in fluorescent light, with Kenny G blaring from a blown-out speaker as a surly hygienist barks orders at you. Although Dr. Omar Ali & Dr. Ahmad Ahmad and their staff do have a reputation of going above and beyond expectations, it is the little niceties that show you how much your doctor values your comfort; and what their definition for the standard of care really is.
We wrote this comprehensive guide on how you should book a dental consultation.
Maintaining your oral health is an important part of managing your overall wellness. While regular brushing and flossing is an integral part of this process, the best way to ward off most oral disease is by visiting a licensed dentist licensed dentist every six months.
Fortunately with advances in online scheduling and patient management resources’, making an appointment with a dentist is easier than ever. However, for those of you who prefer to know the process “step by step”, we here at Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry offer this helpful guide to make sure your first visit goes smoothly.
Steps to Book a Dental Consultation
Step 1: How to find a local dentist?
There is a big difference between having a dentist and have the RIGHT dentist. Having the right dentist for you will set the tone for the duration of your treatment and will save you from many headaches.
First contact your insurance company and ask if you are REQUIRED to see a doctor in their network. If you are, they can provide you with a list of professionals in your area. If you are not required to see a doctor in your network, and want to find the best doctor for you, you can begin to branch your search out.
Ask family and friends if they can recommend a dentist to you.
Use online search engines (Google, Bing, etc.) to locate a doctor in your general location. For instance, we would search: “General Dentist in Westmont Illinois” or “Dentist near me”.
Read reviews of dentists online. Yelp has been widely regarded as a fairly accurate “customer review portal” and many people use that to get the inside scoop on dentist. Also, most dental practices are on social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.); you can find a lot of good information by viewing their pages.
Step 2: How to decide which local dentist(s) are right for you
Sometimes, people have very specific reasons for why they want to visit a dentist. It is important for you to identify your unique reason before deciding on an oral health care professional.
Limit the dental offices down to being a manageable driving distance from you. If your dentist office is convenient to locate and get to, it will make it more likely that you keep your appointments, thereby keeping you healthier!
Go to the doctors (or dental office’s) web page or social media accounts; determine if they treat the condition you are looking to address if you are going in for something specific. If you are going to just to get a regular check-up or cleaning, you can check the same sources to see if the office looks clean, the staff looks friendly, patients seem happy (in testimonials), etc. These will all be good indicators of how satisfied you will be with their care.
Develop a list of three “finalists” that match your criteria. Make sure to write down their contact information. Number one should be your favorite, the other two are there only if you decide to not go with your first pick for some reason, but the chances are very good that you will go with your initial choice.
Step 3: How to schedule a dentist appointment – Part One
Although it is now becoming common to submit a request for an appointment through a dental practices website, we recommend calling the office in person. You will receive information quicker and your appointment will be scheduled properly, with less confusion for you or the dental staff.
Call the top favorite dentist on the list you compiled in the previous step.
When the receptionist answers, ask if they are accepting new patients at the moment. If they are, continue to number 3. If they aren’t, then move to your second favorite dentist on the list and begin again.
Give the receptionist your basic information, including anything pertaining to your insurance. If at any point during the conversation you get the feeling that they cannot help you: thank them, hang up, and call the next office. You should not have to “settle” when it comes to your health care.
Inform the staff member of any concerns you have, or existing dental issues that you are currently experiencing. Also, let them know if you have a fear of the dentist. I know, it may be embarrassing to admit, but it is actually very common and that information will assist the dentist with treating you.
Step 3: How to schedule a dentist appointment – Part Two
Now that you have had some of your questions answered by the receptionist, you can make the decision if you want to be a patient of theirs or not. There is no problem choosing another doctor if you are still unsure if they can treat you properly.
Once you are satisfied with your decision of dental practice, you can begin to set your appointment . First, decide on a day and time that work best for you. Our personal recommendation is to choose something in the morning since those times are typically the least busy. This will help to limit the amount of time you wait for the doctor to be free.
After you let the staff member know what approximate day and time works for you, they will let you know if the doctor’s schedule can accommodate you. After a little back and forth, you should come to a date and time that is suitable for everyone involved.
Reminder: Be calm and courteous. There is a good chance that you will not be able to get the precise day/time you want. That is due to the fact that the doctor already booked patients in the other available timeslots before you even called. It’s nothing personal.
Make sure the receptionist is aware of the reason for your visit. This will aid them in reserving an appropriate amount of time you have with the doctor making sure your visit is relaxed and unrushed.
Keep your appointment, and show up early for initial consultations. There may be a questionnaire that you have to fill out before seeing the doctor, make sure you allow yourself enough time to complete it before your appointment is scheduled to happen.
Step 4 (Bonus): What to do if you can’t make a dental appointment
In the off-chance that you contact every dentist on your list, and still cannot find someone willing and/or able to treat you, you still have options.
Call a dental practice that was on your list of “favorites” and ask for a referral to another dentist they partner with. Most practices are happy to help you even if you aren’t being seen by them personally.
Broaden your search radius. Unfortunately, you may have no other option other than expanding the amount of travel you are willing to work with. Check communities that are a little further from you in order to find the best medical care for you.
Consult with (even more) family and friends to find a referral. Ask around and rely on the advice from the people you care about.
Go further into the search engine results. If it takes you scrolling through 5 pages of search results to find the appropriate doctor, then do it, you will be grateful.
We’ve put together this simple guide on managing dental anxiety for our patients who will go through a cosmetic procedure.
So, you have made the decision to get the cosmetic dental treatment that will finally give you the smile of your dreams. You should feel great, but instead, you – like many patients – can’t help but notice that sinking feeling in your stomach. Suddenly, questions start swirling around your brain:
Will it hurt?
Will the office be hard to find?
Will I be able to afford it?
Will I like the dentist?
Will the dentist like me?
It’s common on the eve of any medical procedure to be nervous. However, if you are putting-off treatments that you desperately want or need because of anxiety, then you are putting your health at risk. Here at Celebrity Smiles & General Dentistry, we think that the best way to calm your nerves is to tell you all of the reasons why everything’s going to be ok everything’s going to be ok.
Things to Consider When Managing Dental Anxiety
#1 – You have done your research:
We live in the golden age of information so; you have no doubt consulted with Google about this life-changing decision. It probably started simply, by you searching for a specialist near you. For instance, when we search for cosmetic dentistry in Downers Grove Illinois, our website YourCelebritySmile.com , appeared almost immediately.
During your search, I’m sure that a handful of other Downers dental offices flooded the “maps” portion of the computer screen as well. After familiarizing yourself with your options based on your location, you chose the office that was most convenient to you. In fact, you may have already programmed the dental practices address into your phone’s GPS for driving instructions.
#2 – You know what you want:
There is a reason why you began this adventure in the first place. One day, you were looking in the mirror and decided that your mouth could look better. You know what you want the doctor to help you with; you just need to be able to explain it.
Go back to that mirror with a pen and paper and write down exactly what you want to correct. We have even had patients print out a picture of themselves and then mark it with a red felt pen, so trust us when we say that this is a popular coping mechanism. There is nothing wrong with someone taking a personal interest in their health care. Furthermore, whatever you need to do in order to clearly express what results you want and/or expect, will only aid the doctor in delivering those results.
Fold up the note you have written (or the picture you have marked) and make sure you take it with you to your initial consultation. Which leads us to the next reason it will all turn out fine …
#3 – You have consulted with a professional:
Armed with your hand written statement of your goals and the office’s GPS coordinates, you then had an initial consultation with the Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist that you chose. During this informal meeting you should have had a productive dialogue with your doctor.
In “starter consultations” with Dr. Omar Ali or Dr. Ahmad Ahmad DMD for instance, they will go out of their way to make sure that the talk is as low-pressure as possible. The only purpose of your first chat should be the easy exchange of information. Explain what you need, let the doctor examine you so they can share their thoughts, and together you will learn which procedure is right for you and why. Dr. Omar Ali & Dr. Ahmad Ahmad do not rest until you have a firm grasp of what his treatments entail.
By following these three simple steps before your cosmetic dental procedure, you should be able to satisfy anything that may trigger your anxiety. Now, when you go into your dentist’s office on the day of your treatment, you will know that you are prepared, relaxed and in good hands.
345 W Ogden Ave Westmont, IL 60559
