Tag Archives: appointments

Mar18

A Trip To The Periodontist

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A Trip To The Periodontist

Hello! At the beginning of 2019, I had my wisdom teeth removed and got gum grafting done. Unfortunately, what should have been a pretty routine surgery went horribly wrong and I was limited to a liquid diet for over a month. I still shudder at the sight of Ensure! After this mishap, I refused to go to any type of dentist because I was scared and my oral hygiene deeply suffered from it. This went on for over a year until I finally agreed to make an appointment with the periodontist who my mom recommended and promised was really nice. She was right!

Since 2020, I have gone to my periodontist several times for regular cleanings and deep gum cleanings to repair the damage that had been done. I tried my best to go along with their recommendations, but ended up falling short of expectations every appointment. It was very disappointing, to say the least. During my last appointment this past October, I had to get X-rays taken of my teeth to prep for my next deep cleaning. The process was long and uncomfortable and after that appointment, I threw my hands in the air and said “screw it”. Then, I went to the store and bought floss picks for the very first time in my adult life.

After that fateful appointment, I flossed morning and night like my life depended on it. I was so sick and tired of lackluster results and knew that some of the fault was my own at this point. At first, the flossing hurt like a mother and don’t even get me started on using Listerine afterwards because that was about a bitch too lol. However, it did get easier and less painful as time went on. I just didn’t know if it was enough to finally get the stamp of approval from my periodontist.

This past Wednesday, I had an early morning appointment to get a deep gum cleaning and I was nervous AF. Not for the cleaning itself because it’s not that bad, but for what would be found when my gums were examined. I informed my periodontist that I started flossing and he took a look at what was going on before prepping for the cleaning. Within ten seconds, he told me that they weren’t going to do anything and that I could go home. You could have knocked me over with a feather!!

Thanks to the new step in my oral hygiene routine, the pockets around my teeth started to shrink and went down over two sizes. This was the first time in FOUR years that I had not just good results, but excellent and I was beyond thrilled. The entire team at the office was so proud of me and, damnit, I was too. I couldn’t stop smiling all morning because of my GREAT SUCCESS and the fact that the smile I was flashing was a healthy one.

Although flossing was a better late than never situation for me, don’t be like me lol. I was absolutely traumatized from my surgery gone wrong and it made me stubborn. Had I done what I needed to do in the first place, my oral hygiene would have been in a good place years ago. Listen to your healthcare professionals because I promise you they know what they’re talking about and the small changes to your routines can really help!

Do you have a fear of the doctor or dentist? What helped you overcome it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Nov19

Preventative Tips To Help Your Oral Health

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Preventative Tips To Help Your Oral Health

Oral health is something that many people should be focused on when it comes to their well-being. It can have a dramatic impact on how a person feels and looks. Our teeth will only last for so long, which is why it’s important to do everything possible to take care of them. With that in mind, here are some preventative tips that will help with oral health and hygiene:

Visit a dentist regularly:

Visiting a dentist regularly can help to prevent problems with oral health. Just like any health condition, if it goes undetected, it is more likely to get worse and impact the body further. A trip to the dentist should be something that’s happening at least once a year. Finding a local dentist is easy enough but it’s important that the dentist you visit is one that can be trusted by the person. Having someone mess around in your mouth isn’t something many want to be done by just anyone. It has to be a dentist they feel comfortable with.

Brush, floss, and mouthwash:

When it comes to maintaining the health of teeth, brushing isn’t enough. With brushing two or three times a day, it will keep the teeth relatively clean. However, when it comes to the rest of the mouth and in between teeth, floss and mouthwash are required. Floss is a great way of helping clear out any debris that’s been missed after brushing the teeth. When it comes to mouthwash, it essentially disinfects the mouth. From the gums and the tongue, both can carry a lot of bacteria that need to be removed.

Avoid too much sugar:

Sugar is something that can damage the teeth if you’re not careful. Try to avoid sugar where possible as this can seriously do some damage to the teeth over time. Too much sugar can indeed rot the teeth but more so, it removes the enamel that protects the teeth from harm. As well as being impactful on the teeth, too much sugar in a diet can cause some problems with those vital organs of yours, so avoid having too much sugar in general.

Be mindful of any immediate problems:

It’s important to be mindful of any immediate problems that can come from bad oral health and hygiene. Sometimes even with a good routine in place, there can be problems that crop up out of nowhere. It’s good practice to see a dentist immediately, rather than waiting for the annual appointment to come around.

Take caution with hard food:

Caution should be taken when it comes to consuming harder foods. Teeth are strong but they’re not indestructible to damage. Therefore, it’s important to take caution when it comes to food and make sure that no food is so tough that it causes damage to the teeth themselves.

Preventative tips such as these ones will help to ensure a person’s oral health remains in tip-top shape now and for the foreseeable future.

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Mar18

Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

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Unsatisfied With Your Smile? Braces Could Be Right For You!

We are not sure about you, but one thing we have noticed a lot more lately is that adults seem to be wearing braces more and more than they used to. And that is awesome! We often have the tendency to assume that braces are purely for children, i.e. to correct your teeth so that they are not crooked later in life. However, this is simply not the case.

Braces can help people of all ages, as they can correct a wide range of issues like:

  • Jaw joint disorder
  • Crooked teeth
  • Incorrect jaw position
  • Cross-bites
  • Under-bites
  • Overbites
  • Crowded teeth

There are many different styles of braces to choose from:

If you need braces, you will have plenty of different options to choose from. There is something for everyone. When we think about braces, our minds tend to think about thick, metal bands. However, you can actually get invisible braces these days, which are known as Invisalign. These braces are to be removed whenever you eat, so they work slightly differently. The best thing to do is simply book an appointment with a dentist who will be able to talk you through all of the different options available and give you their professional opinion on the best solution for you.

It is about investing in your future smile:

Braces are all about investing in your future smile. Making changes today can help to make sure that you have a beautiful and healthy smile in the future. Plus, it is important to remember that braces are not only cosmetic. They can also help to prevent headaches, pain, and other dental issues that can occur when you do not rectify the issues you are experiencing at the moment. This is why it is always important to book a dental appointment sooner rather than later.

Finding the best dentist for braces:

Needless to say, you need to choose a dentist with care when it comes to treatments like this. You need someone with years of experience who has provided braces for people time and time before. You can read reviews that have been left by others to make sure the dentist you are considering has a good reputation for the services they provide. Some dentists also have images on their websites so that you can see before and after photos to make sure that the treatment has worked effectively.

If you are unhappy with the condition of your teeth and you think that you would benefit from braces, there is no harm in scheduling an appointment. We know that wearing braces can be intimidating but there really is nothing to worry about. You will look great!

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Mar10

Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

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Health Checks To Add To Your Schedule

We all want to take good care of our health and well being. Our bodies and our mind are what we experience the world through and we want to keep them in the best condition possible. But this is often easier said than done. Scheduling conflicts, work, and the like can all make scheduling regular health appointments an inconvenience.

What’s more inconvenient, however, are health issues going unchecked so do be sure to pencil in the following:

Dental Checks:

Booking a dentist appointment is essential once every six months. Use a reliable dental practice with plenty of qualified and professional dentists working for them. During your check up, your Dentist will be able to take a look around your mouth and notice any issues such as cavities, decay, or other dental problems. They can then book you in to resolve these problems if they do exist. If not, they can just pass you on to your hygienist, who will be able to clean your teeth thoroughly for you.

Eye Checks:

You should visit an optometrist once every two years. An eye check can help your optometrist to ensure that your vision is up to scratch and to identify any changes in your vision. They’ll be able to recommend prescriptions to you if you do require help with your vision. They can also take some time to look out for common eye health complaints such as glaucoma, cataracts, or even issues such as diabetes.

Cervical Screening:

If you have a cervix and are over the age of 25, you will need to attend cervical screening appointments. This process can also be called a “smear test” or a “pap smear”. If you are aged between 25 and 44, you will be asked to attend screening once every three years. If you are aged between 45 and 60, you will be asked to attend once every five years. The process is simple and, while some would describe it as uncomfortable, generally pain free. It helps to identify any abnormal cells in your cervix and could help to identify signs of cervical cancer in their early stages. This could be a life saving check so it really is important to schedule it in.

These are just three appointments to book but, hopefully, they’ll get the ball rolling when it comes to encouraging you to maintain good health practices!

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Feb28

Annual Checkups To Schedule Today

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Annual Checkups To Schedule Today

Even if you’re feeling healthy, it’s important to have regular checkups with your doctor. However, some annual checkups are more important than others and should never be neglected:

Your Physical Health:

During your physical, your doctor will examine your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other vitals. They may also do a screening for cancer or other diseases. If your doctor detects any problems, they can be treated early on before they have a chance to become more serious, which is why it’s so important to go every year.

Your Mental Health:

Your mental health is just as imperative as your physical health. During a mental health checkup, your doctor will assess your mood, anxiety levels, and overall mental health. If any problems are detected, they can be treated early on and recommendations can be made for the best way to go about it. Some people use things like marijuana and gummies to help them stay calm and reduce anxiety. The best Delta 9 gummies are great for that.

Your Dental Health:

During a dental checkup, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of disease or infection and determine whether or not you need dental implants. They may also do a screening for oral cancer. It is best to go to the dentist every six months for a good cleaning to keep your smile radiant.

Your Vision:

You should get a comprehensive eye exam every year. During an eye exam, your optometrist will check your eyes for signs of disease or infection. They may also do a screening for glaucoma and other eye diseases. Even if you think that your vision hasn’t changed, it is still good to go and make sure.

The Mammogram:

A mammogram is a screening test for breast cancer. It involves taking x-rays of your breasts. Mammograms are recommended for women over age forty, but younger women should also have them if they have a family history of breast cancer.

The Pap Smear:

A Pap smear is a test for cervical cancer. It involves taking a sample of cells from the cervix to check for signs of cancer. Women should have a Pap smear every three years until they reach age 65, and then they can stop having them unless they have other risk factors for cervical cancer.

While these are the most commonly recommended annual checkups, they are not the only ones you should consider. Talk to your doctor about what other screenings and tests you may need based on your age, health history, and risk factors. Make sure to schedule appointments for all of them every year!

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Oct27

Simple Steps To A Healthy Lifestyle

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Simple Steps To A Healthy Lifestyle

Taking care of yourself is so important. The better you take care of yourself, the better your quality of life can be. It also potentially extends your life. But being healthy can often mean making changes to your lifestyle that may feel expensive, time consuming, and inconvenient. It is, however, vital that you make these changes. Here are a few to start with:

Managing Illness or Injury:

It’s particularly important to take care of your health and wellbeing when you are feeling unwell, hurt, or run down. This will help your body to recover as quickly as possible. If you experience an illness or injury, contact professional medical help – whether that’s urgent care or a standard appointment with your GP. They will be able to ensure that you get the medicine, therapy, or other treatment you need to get better.

Diet:

Of course, what you put into your body is your fuel. So, you need to make sure that you’re fueling your body the right amount and with the right foods. Let’s start by looking at calorie counts. Every person requires a unique amount of calories, but the amounts outlined below should serve as a good rough guide:

  • Children aged 2 to 8 – 1000 to 1400 calories
  • Girls aged 9 to 13 – 1400 to 1600 calories
  • Boys aged 9 to 13 – 1600 to 2000 calories
  • Active women aged 14 to 30 – 2400 calories
  • Sedentary women aged 14 to 30 – 1800 to 2000 calories
  • Active men aged 14 to 30 – 2800 to 3200 calories
  • Sedentary men aged 14 to 30 – 2000 to 2600 calories
  • Active adults over 30 – 2000 to 3000 calories
  • Sedentary adults over 30 – 1600 to 2400 calories

Once you know your calorie count, you should do your best to eat as balanced a diet as possible. This means not cutting out any key groups. It also means eating everything in moderation – not too much or too little of one thing or another.

Exercise:

You should get one hundred and fifty minutes of moderate aerobic exercise every week or seventy five minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise every week. All too many people fail to achieve this. This is often because they can’t find a form of exercise that they actually enjoy, so there is no motivation to engage with it. There are all sorts of exercises out there, so you simply need to think about what you like. Do you like socializing? You may prefer team sports or fitness classes with members and instructors. Do you like building your strength? You could try weight lifting or machinery in the gym. Do you like being in the water? Swimming could be an option for you.

These steps are simple to incorporate into your day to day routine. It’s just a matter of habit and building them into your schedule. Hopefully, you’ll be able to benefit from them because they can really make all the difference!

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Oct20

4 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery   

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4 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery   

Do you know what questions to ask your doctor before surgery? When you are deciding if an operation is the best fit for your medical needs, it is important to have all of your questions answered. There are many different factors that will determine if surgery is right for you or not. Here are some questions that should be asked before any decision is made on surgical treatment options.

What type of surgery will I need?

Getting your doctor to answer this question is often the first step in determining if a surgical procedure is right for you. There are three types of surgeries that can be done depending on your medical needs:

Major Surgery:

This includes any invasive process where an incision has to be made into the body and tissues, muscle or fat has to be removed, and some bone has to be cut or modified.

Minor Surgery:

These include operations which do not require major surgery but do require an incision and/or removal of tissues, muscle, or fat.

Reconstructive Surgery:

This type of surgery is performed to correct a problem that has occurred as the result of another condition such as disease.

It is important for you to know about the type of surgery you need since doctors can misdiagnose you. If this happens, don’t hesitate to get help from medical malpractice attorneys so you can be compensated.

What are the potential benefits of surgery?

Ask your doctor about the potential benefits of surgery as different surgeries will offer different benefits based on your needs. For example, if you have a herniated disc in your back that has caused pain for several years, there may be some relief after having an invasive surgical procedure to remove part or all of the damaged section.

Will I be able to go home after surgery? 

Whenever someone has surgery, there is a chance that they can go home from the hospital on the same day as their operation or within 24 hours of being admitted for treatment. However, some patients are required to stay in the hospital for up to five days after surgery. You should know ahead of time what your recovery plan will be so that you can prepare yourself and ensure that proper arrangements are made if necessary.

Will I need a follow-up appointment?

If you have been advised by your doctor to get any kind of surgery, it is important for them to outline a plan for your recovery. This will involve a list of instructions to follow during the first few days after surgery and it is very important that you adhere to these so they can be sure that all goes well with the healing process.

A follow-up appointment should also be scheduled shortly after being discharged from hospital care in order to collect test results, check your recovery, and answer any questions you may have.

If you need to get surgery, the best thing you can do is ask a lot of questions. Make sure you know everything that will be happening to your body before you consent to any procedure. Being informed is the only way to get peace of mind before you have an operation.

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Sep8

Pearly Whites

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Pearly Whites

Hi! Ever since I had an oral surgery gone wrong close to three years ago, I have had a HUGE fear of the dentist. But, let’s be real, I’ve always been kind of afraid of it and instead of facing my fears, I just wouldn’t go. In the beginning of February 2020, I finally worked up the courage to see a periodontist and had a handful of appointments with him. Then, the worst of the pandemic hit and I hadn’t been back since.

Although I hadn’t been to see the periodontist, I worked hard to keep up my oral hygiene with an electric toothbrush and tried my best to at least keep my problems stable. However, going so long without having any type of check up brought me back to my ambivalence of ever returning. Which is why I am proud to say that I actually had my first appointment with my periodontist since the pandemic this past week! 😀

You guys have no idea how nervous I was for this appointment because of my phobia in general and I was extremely worried that my issues had worsened. Which is why I am even prouder to say that thanks to my improved oral hygiene, the problems that I went in for had remained stable!! My worst nightmare would have been hearing the professionals say “What happened?!” so to hear that I had been doing as good as I could have been was such a big relief.

While the issues with my gums are by no means great, I am so motivated to continue making it better after this appointment. I have cleanings scheduled with my regular dentist and my periodontist. I also purchased a waterpik as per their recommendation as soon as I returned home. I like to think that even if the appointment didn’t go well, I still would have done all of that but it would definitely have made it much scarier.

I was all but traumatized after my surgery gone wrong and I think anyone would have been if they couldn’t eat for a month. I still can’t look at a bottle of Ensure without having flashbacks! But I am so happy that I am on the right track to keep improving and I plan to stay on it, no matter what my fears are.

I think I will always be somewhat afraid to go to a dentist or periodontist but this is a great first step in, at least, lessening my phobia a little bit. In fact, I might even be a little excited to keep going back and I feel hopeful that I will continue to make improvements. GOOD FOR ME! 🙂

What are you afraid of? How do you face your fears? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug17

Taking Care Of You, Too

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Taking Care Of You, Too

Between work, cooking, maintaining your household, and social engagements, making time for you can feel impossible. This can lead to burnout, break downs, and even more stress! When you are starting to feel the side effects of a constantly on the go lifestyle, it’s important to take a step back rather than push yourself harder. Today, we are going to look at a few simple things that can be done to make sure you are taking care of you, too. Let’s get to it:

Beauty Sleep:

A restful night of sleep is so crucial in so many ways. Not only does getting your full eight hours give your body time to rest and heal, but you will feel so much more active and alert every morning. It’s nice to start your day with some pep in your step rather than dragging your feet just to get out of bed. What is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep and what can you do to improve it? Perhaps, your bedroom needs to be a more soothing place to lay your head after a long day, which can be achieved with these ideas.

Schedule Appointments:

While scheduling appointments for various things like the eye doctor, dentist, and general practitioners isn’t the most fun thing, it will help keep you feeling your best and that’s what is important. A professional dental lab in your area is a great place to start and don’t forget to tend to your mental health, too. An appointment with a counselor or therapist can be especially beneficial if you have been feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and over stressed as of late.

What Does Self Care Mean To You?

Self care won’t look the same for everyone and that’s okay! I, personally, love doing a face mask after a long day at work to unwind but that might not work for you. So what does self care mean to you? Is it going to the gym? Going on a long hike? Buying yourself some beautiful flowers for your kitchen table? Once you narrow down what makes you destress, you will know what options are best to turn to when you are feeling some type of way.

Positivity, Please:

Thinking positive thoughts is so important even if you aren’t feeling very positive. Do you have a mantra that you like to repeat to yourself? What about some positive affirmations on sticky notes to look at throughout the day? What’s that old saying – fake it till you make it? Sometimes you just have to give yourself the mental push for good vibes and, eventually, your positive outlook will become second nature.

Doing for others is an amazing thing but don’t forget to do for yourself, too! ❤

Jul5

Are You Doing These 3 Things To Stay Healthy?

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Are You Doing These 3 Things To Stay Healthy?

A healthy way of life can help you to put your best foot forward, mentally and physically. Making healthy decisions, however, is not always simple. It might be difficult to find the time and energy to exercise or cook healthy meals on a daily basis. A healthy lifestyle takes work but your efforts will not go unrewarded!

Here, we will look at some of the things that you can do to stay as healthy as you can possibly can. Ready to find out more? Read on!

Look after your body:

You have heard it time and time again, but that is because it is critical to maintaining good health. From what you are eating to making sure that you get plenty of exercises, looking after your body is so important. First and foremost, a healthy diet is key. That does not mean that you need to cut out everything that you love – the occasional slice of cake or candy bar is not going to hurt at all. However, the majority of your diet should be healthy. Aim for a minimum of five pieces of fruit and vegetables per day, plenty of whole grain and protein, and keep refined sugar, fats, and salt to a minimum.

Getting enough exercise is also important. Again, no one is expecting you to hit the gym every single day for hours on end. Rather, aim to get around thirty minutes of physical exercise every day. That might be a brisk stroll around the park on your lunch break, a game of soccer with the kids in the backyard, or a spot of yoga and a home workout using YouTube.

Keep up to date with appointments:

When was the last time you paid a visit to your optician and got your eyes tested? What about your dentist for a full oral hygiene check-up? Or had your hearing checked out? For many people, it was a long time ago, especially given the recent COVID pandemic. Lots of people only go and get these things looked at when a problem is becoming apparent, but early intervention and regular appointments can stop a problem from developing in the first place. Make an appointment with your audiologist, your optician, and https://www.newmandental.com to make sure everything is A-okay.

Your mental health matters:

All too frequently, we take steps to look after our physical health but neglect our mental health. It is something that can creep up on us – we are so busy caring for family, working, trying to maintain a social life, and looking after our house that we forget to make sure our own glass is full. Taking time to recognize when your mental health might not be quite as it should, and dealing with it before it gets to a point where you can’t see a way out, is essential. This will not only protect your mental wellness, but will also have a bearing on your physical health, too.

The past year and change has been so difficult! Keep your physical and mental health in check with the tips above so you can enjoy smooth sailing in a time of uncertainty.

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