Tag Archives: dentist

Apr7

Aspects Of Your Lifestyle That Impact Your Oral Health

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Aspects Of Your Lifestyle That Impact Your Oral Health

The three starting points for having great oral hygiene are to make sure that you brush, floss, and use mouthwash at home. However, you need to make sure that you are looking at different aspects of your lifestyle – could they be undoing all of your hard work? Here are a few things that could be having an impact on your teeth:

Stress:

The modern world can be very stressful and demanding, but if you don’t manage to get your stress levels under control then you might be waking up with headaches and jaw aches. Often these two things are a sign that you are clenching your teeth at night. So what can you do about it? First, you need to look at what you can do to reduce your stress levels. If you know that you are clenching your teeth and are unable to make sure that you are reducing your stress levels – then you need to speak to your dentist about the situation. They may be able to fit you with a mouth guard to stop the damage to your teeth.

Diet:

Do you have an ultra-sweet tooth? While some sugar isn’t too bad, if you are finding that you are snacking on sweets, candies, cakes, and other sweet treats often – you might not be brushing your teeth enough! For those who have a lot of sugar in their diet, it is beneficial for them to brush more times a day to reduce the chances of tooth decay and plaque. Sugar attacks your teeth, so being vigilant about your tooth care is a must. If possible, reduce the amount of sugar that you are eating in a day. Not only will it help your teeth but you’ll feel better in general.

There are some foods that can support good oral health too:

Cheese, milk, and other dairies

Black and green tea

Chewing gums (sugar free)

Foods with fluoride (poultry, seafood, and some cereals)

Fiber-rich vegetables and fruit

And one of the most important things is to make sure that you are drinking a lot of water too. Water helps dislodge any food particles between brushing, and that prevents plaque.

Dental appointments:

Are you regularly visiting your dentist? Many people skip going because they think they don’t need to go. But your dentist will be able to spot issues that are just starting and help you tackle them too. If you have skipped more than a few appointments and you can’t face your old dentist – register somewhere new. And, for those who have dental angst – speak to them in advance so that they know you need extra support.

Dental appointments don’t just take care of dental health with things like fillings, removal, and gum care. You might want to make some adjustments like braces, a whitening, or porcelain crowns. If your last appointment was more than six months ago, then it is time to give them a call and get checked out.

Medication:

There are some medications that can cause you to have a dry mouth – and when you have a dry mouth, you are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. There are a couple of things you can do. You can speak to your doctor to see if there are any other medications that will treat you, but that won’t dry your mouth as a side effect. Or, you can speak to your dentist and see what measures you can take to help manage the risk of tooth decay.

Rest and Sleep:

You might think that almost all of the other body processes need rest and sleep – but not teeth. And in some respects, that is right. Lack of sleep impacts your immune system, and it is the immune system that helps to prevent gum disease. So while your teeth might not seem like they will suffer if you don’t sleep enough – the truth is that it is a risk to do anything that lowers your immune system. Gum disease can cause issues elsewhere in the body, and if it is left to progress, then tooth loss and pain are common issues.

Alcohol and Smoking:

Alcohol, depending on the type, can either be sugar-laden or dry in the mouth. If you aren’t drinking water in between drinks, then the dehydration in your mouth is the perfect place for bacteria to grow. Compounded by the fact that many people forget to brush their teeth after a night of drinking. Smoking is bad for your teeth and gums, as it restricts the blood flow to your gums causing all sorts of issues. Not to mention it stains the teeth. If you do either of these and don’t want to give them up, be extra vigilant with your oral care.

There are a couple of other things that can have an impact on your teeth, too: 3 Common Habits That Could Affect Your Oral Health | lifewithlilred. Once your not so great habits are under control, your oral health will improve drastically!

Featured Image By: Vinicius “amnx” Amano on Unsplash

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Nov30

How To Treat Yourself To The Ultimate Makeover

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How To Treat Yourself To The Ultimate Makeover

We all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while, and what better way to do that than with a makeover? Whether you’re looking for a new hairstyle, wardrobe, or skin care routine, there are endless ways to pamper yourself and feel like a new person. Let’s check out some tips on how you can treat yourself to the ultimate makeover:

Pick a Style Icon:

The first step to any makeover is finding some inspiration. Research your favorite celebrities or style bloggers and find someone whose look you’d like to emulate. Once you have your style icon in mind, you’ll have a better idea of the changes you want to make. Are you still trying to figure out where to start? Pinterest is always a great place to look for fashion inspo.

Update Your Hairstyle:

One of the easiest ways to change your look is by updating your hairstyle. If you’re feeling bold, why not try a brand new color? On the other hand, if you’re not ready for such a drastic change, ask your stylist for a cut that will complement your face shape. You’d be surprised by how much of a difference the right hair cut can make.

Invest in Some New Clothes:

Next up on our list is clothes. If your style needs an update, it’s time to hit the stores (or the internet) and find new pieces that speak to you. But beware – one of the pitfalls of shopping for a new wardrobe is spending too much money on clothes you’ll never wear. To avoid this trap, stick to buying items that can be mixed and matched with pieces you already own. This way, you’ll get the most bang for your buck and your closet will thank you for it!

Treat Your Skin Right:

Remember your skin! After all, what’s the point of having a killer outfit if your skin doesn’t look its best? If you need help figuring out where to start when it comes to skin care, try using products with natural ingredients or consulting with a dermatologist. And remember – just like with clothes, it’s crucial not to overspend on skin care products that might not work for you. Instead, start small and gradually add new products as needed.

Invest In Your Smile:

Finally, don’t forget to invest in your smile. A great way to instantly boost your confidence is by visiting a cosmetic dentist and having them whiten, straighten, or even reshape your teeth. With the right Cosmetic Dentist, you can have a brand new smile in no time and you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it can make in your confidence.

Go ahead and permit yourself to splurge – it’s close enough to the new year to invest in yourself for a new you. And just in time for the holidays to wow your friends and family!

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Nov29

Beautifying Your Smile For The Holidays

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Beautifying Your Smile For The Holidays

The holiday season is here and that means family photos galore! However, this can be easier said than done if you feel self conscious about your smile. Let’s check out some simple tips to put a real smile back on your face just in time for the family and friends paparazzi:

Stay away from sugars:

Sugary foods and drinks like juices, sodas, and sugary candies are awful for your teeth and oral health. Foods that are high in sugars are the leading cause of tooth decay and other tooth-related ailments that can ruin your smile. When one tooth becomes infected, it can lead to a cavity or even a much more severe condition called tooth decay. This is why you should ditch sugars and try to pick up a healthy diet

Develop good dental hygiene habits:

To keep your smile looking great, you should try and develop good oral hygiene habits. It would be best if you always brushed your teeth twice a day and flossed once a day. Brushing your teeth is the most critical thing you can do to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Brushing your teeth removes bacteria and plaque that build up on your teeth throughout the day. Plaque is stubborn, so even if you brush your teeth, it is still essential that you floss daily to remove all of the plaque and bacteria from your teeth.

Receive dental work if needed:

If you’ve been brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day but still aren’t seeing the results you want, it may be time to get a professional evaluation. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and determine if any dental work is needed to improve your smile and health. Dental work can include crowns, dentures, bridges, teeth removal, All-on-4 Dental Implants, and more. Depending on what is needed, dental work can make your smile look better and make you feel better about the way your smile looks.

Whiten your teeth:

Poor dental hygiene, genetics, and other factors can cause your teeth to look yellowish. Teeth whitening can make you feel better about your smile and it is a straightforward procedure. Whitening is a common cosmetic procedure that whitens teeth by removing yellow stains. There are various types of whitening systems available on the market. These include at-home whitening kits and professional cosmetic procedures. The best and most natural way to whiten your teeth is to use a whitening toothpaste.

Drink water:

Water is essential for keeping your body and mouth healthy. It is also helpful for whitening your teeth. Drinking water daily will help you reduce plaque buildup in your mouth. Not drinking enough water can cause bacteria, sugars, plaque, and other things to build up on your teeth. This can make your teeth look dull and yellow. A water tracker is a great way to make sure you are getting enough water throughout the day.

Visit a dentist for regular checkups:

The best way to keep your teeth and mouth healthy is to visit your dentist regularly. Regular checkups allow your dentist to keep an eye out for any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. This way, your dentist can suggest preventive measures to keep your smile looking radiant. You should see your dentist regularly even if you do not have any issues with your teeth. Doing this can keep you from getting any oral ailments you are unaware of.

Look into braces or retainers:

If you have crooked teeth, you can work towards improving them. This is done by getting braces. Braces have been proven to help improve the appearance of teeth by straightening them out. Retainers are similar to braces, except they are used to keep teeth in place. Which treatment you choose depends on your specific needs and budget. Both braces and retainers can be expensive but they are worth it if they can improve your self esteem.

Follow the tips above and flash your pearly whites all holiday season long. You will be amazed at how much a smile suits you!

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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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Oct14

3 Common Habits That Could Affect Your Oral Health

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3 Common Habits That Could Affect Your Oral Health

Your oral health is not only impacted by poor hygiene. Other things you do can introduce bacteria into the oral cavity, chip a tooth, or harm your gums. For example, frequent snacking and sugars harms the tooth enamel. With 3.5 billion people living with one oral disease, it helps to know more about how to avoid becoming a part of the statistics. With adequate knowledge on this subject, you can take better care of your teeth. Here are some common habits to avoid for better oral health:

Chewing ice cubes:

Pagophagia is the term used to describe the compulsive craving for ice cubes, frost, or snow. Medical researchers say it is a subtype of pica and is often triggered by iron deficiency. For some people, however, chewing ice cubes is a learned habit and, after a while, becomes difficult to stop. Indeed, a few ice cubes in a glass of water is a welcome drink on a hot day. The danger, however, is getting your teeth to chew through them.

Ice’s solid and cold nature makes it unfriendly to the teeth when chewed. It can cause cracks and chips or displace previous tooth fillings. Additionally, chewing ice can harm any other dental restoration you’ve done. A crack resulting from ice can go down to the base. It is painful and can be costly to repair. The recommended way to help stop this habit is to drink through a straw. That way, the temptation to slip a cube into your mouth is greatly reduced.

teeth2

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Thumb sucking:

Thumb sucking puts a lot of pressure on your kids’ permanent teeth, especially those in the upper front of the mouth. The sucking causes forward pressure on the upper front teeth, resulting in an altered appearance of the dentition. Apart from the impact on the teeth, the jaw structure can be affected too.

According to research, when permanent teeth cut through the gum, they naturally need more space. This is because permanent teeth are usually larger. Therefore, the thumb-sucking motion applies more pressure on the new set of teeth to overlap the lower ones. Sometimes, it can cause an overbite in a child’s dentition and they will need a local dentist to align the teeth and keep them in place. In the future, however, the solution is to help them stop thumb-sucking to prevent what can be costly repairs.

Brushing too hard:

In your attempt to whiten your teeth or remove stains, aggressive brushing can cause problems. It can result in enamel erosion and sore and receding gums. A soft bristle toothbrush is best for cleaning your teeth. This can be done before or after flossing. A report by the Wall Street Journal indicated that 20% of the population indulges in overbrushing. Consequently, many people have had to spend lots of money on gum grafting.

Vigorous brushing does not remove stains. You will need a dentist to do that job. Being overly diligent in your brushing can do more harm to your oral health. If you find yourself engaging in this habit, hopefully, this is your cue to be gentle with your dentition.

Taking good care of your teeth is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body. Quitting harmful habits will result in better oral health, which is a great reason to smile!

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Jun22

Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

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Advice For A Fantastic Mid-Year “Tune Up”

Any driver knows that from time to time, a full vehicle inspection is required. So, if we can do this with our vehicles, why can’t we do it with ourselves too? Sometimes, we might need the ‘tune-up’ that we give to our possessions. But surely you are the most valuable ‘possession’ you have in the first place! So, what plans can we make in order to optimize our approach here? In this post, we’ll discuss all of that and more:

See Your Dentist:

It’s quite amazing how fresh we feel after a visit to the dentist. A local dental clinic can help assess the entirety of your dental environment and make any recommendations that may be important. They can help clean your teeth, attend to any pain or problem areas you might have, and unlock your natural smile in the best possible way. For many this may seem like a pedestrian task, but regular visits can help you prevent long term dental issues that you may have otherwise had.

Take A Fitness ‘Inventory’:

It sounds quite sanctimonious to suggest you should sit down and consider how healthy you are. But the truth is, that it is a good thing to figure out where you are health wise and think about what you’ll do to better yourself. You also have to consider what you could actually do, not what you just think you should. This might involve losing that last couple of pounds, walking more in the mornings, or simply getting more vitamin D. It might mean trying to restore your flexibility after an injury you sustained. Your fitness inventory doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be right for you.

Update Your Style:

Updating your style is always a great thing! Otherwise, we can feel outdated and like we’re behind everyone else. This doesn’t mean you have to dress in the latest fashions, but it’s certainly health to consider the condition of your clothes and to improve them – to opt for a few fixtures like a nice winter coat or even having that watch repaired finally. A tuneup means being able to present yourself to the world with a renewed sense of confidence and appreciation. An approach like this can help you with that through and through.

With this advice, you’re certain to generate the best mid-year tuneup, ready for the best of summer and the onset of the colder seasons. 2022 is already halfway over, if you can believe it, so make the most of it!

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Mar31

3 Tips On How To Make The Most Of A Cosmetic Treatment

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3 Tips On How To Make The Most Of A Cosmetic Treatment

Cosmetic and elective treatments are increasingly popular in the present day, as people look for ways to feel more confident about themselves and options increase. For a number of reasons, people may live much of their lives with something about them that makes them unhappy. Even within living memory, these were issues that people simply had to live with – but as medical science gets better and more specialized, that’s increasingly not the case.

One key thing to remember, though, is that life changing elective treatment is not a definitive cure in itself. If you’re interested in getting an operation or procedure that changes your outlook on life, you do need to remember that it doesn’t end when you walk out of the treatment room. You’ll get a lot of advice both before and after, and your best bet is to take it all to heart and follow the instructions. If you read on, you’ll learn some helpful advice that will permit you to make the most of any corrective procedure you undergo:

Follow the aftercare plan to the letter:

As innovative and brilliant as many of the procedures available today are, they aren’t magic. Skin resurfacing treatments and cosmetic lifts do have impressive results, but they will have minor adverse effects and you’ll need to recover from those before you embark on any future plans or even return to your usual beauty routine. You’ll be given an aftercare plan to follow in order to get the best results from the procedure; it is best to see this plan as a cast iron rule book, not a set of guidelines. Diversion from it risks diminishing the effectiveness of the treatment.

Remember that it’s a renewal, not a blank slate:

Elective corrective treatments offer you a second chance and the lesson to take from this is not that you can always count on a spruce up. The better lesson is that you can have another chance to do things right. If neglect has caused tooth decay, a new set of veneers offer you the chance to smile more brightly, but they’ll need the care the previous smile didn’t get. You’ll need to make sure to keep your porcelain dental veneers in top condition, not just for a week or a month, but for the rest of your life. You need to meet the doctors halfway when it comes to elective treatments.

Listen to the expert at your consultation:

A cosmetic surgeon or dentist will evaluate your outlook at the initial consultation and will advise you on what is possible. More than that, they’ll talk about what is realistic. You may have the desire to see radical change, but that is both hard to achieve and hard to maintain. Your surgeon has seen thousands of people with the needs you have, and they’ve got endless experience in what works and what lasts. Honestly, the more radical treatment you may want probably costs more and would make them richer – but it’s their duty of care to advise you on what is realistic, so listen to them and understand where they’re coming from.

There is nothing wrong with undergoing any procedure that will give you a better quality of life and more confidence. Just make sure you consider your options, what’s realistic, and how you will provide the best care for yourself once your procedure is complete.

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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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Mar9

GOOD FOR ME!!

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GOOD FOR ME!!

Hello! In 2019, I had a major mishap with an oral surgery gone wrong which resulted in me not being able to eat for over a month. I still can’t see a bottle of Ensure without shuddering! Prior to this incident, I always hated going to the dentist but afterwards, I was even more fearful and flat out refused to go. After a lot of feet dragging, I ended up in the care of a wonderful periodontist who told me that we had a lot of work to do because my gums were in such bad shape.

Every visit to my new doctor was a little bit better than the last and I ended up buying the recommended tools to help me achieve better oral health. My first purchase was an electric toothbrush and while things had improved, we still weren’t there yet. Next, I bought my Waterpik (Which I love!) and have been using it diligently for the past half a year morning and night.

This past week, I had another appointment with my periodontist and I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t nervous. I thought that my mouth was doing better but, then again, I’ve thought that before and had less than impressive results to show for it. Which is why I could have burst into song when the hygienist took her first look at my teeth and gums and said that they were looking good!

Her confirmation of my hard work was the first time I had heard a compliment from someone in the dental health field in literal years and it felt great. My periodontist even said that I had come a very long way and if I keep up the good work, there is probably nothing more that they can do for me after my next few visits. Trust and believe that the hallelujah chorus was singing at full blast in my mind.

This may seem like a small accomplishment but it was huge for me and I felt so proud of myself. After such a traumatizing experience that resulted in trips to the ER and drinking water from a huge syringe, I vowed to never step foot in a dentist’s office again. My periodontist helped me get over my fear and I am so appreciative to him because I knew that my teeth and gums were in bad shape but he and his team never made me feel judged about it.

After leaving my appointment, I was walking on cloud nine because I got over a massive phobia and I had excellent results to show for it. I still have a ways to go but my gum health is no longer in the danger zone and it feels good to be taking much better care of myself. GOOD FOR ME!

Do you have any phobias? How did you overcome your fear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah