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Millions of people around the world suffer from dental anxiety. It’s the butterflies you feel in your stomach at the thought of scheduling an appointment and your desire to be anyplace else once you’re in the dental chair.

Some people are so riddled with anxiety that their condition is considered dental phobia. This kind of intense anxiety can be so uncomfortable that many phobic patients choose to forgo treatment altogether.

Let’s take a look at four common fears and how your dentist in Fairfax, VA addresses them:

Fear of Pain

Let’s face it; nobody likes pain. You may have heard “horror stories” from family or friends, or you may have had your own negative experience ...

As difficult as this may be to believe, not everyone enjoys going to the dentist. Crazy, right?

But this common phobia causes many people to skip appointments which results in dental problems like tooth decay going untreated.

Of course, the result of untreated dental problems is typically more dental problems which can result in additional time in your dentist’s chair. A good example is cavities; without prompt treatment, that little twinge in your tooth that you’ve been hoping will go away is slowly spreading and may ultimately result in the need for a root canal if not treated.

Typical Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Another problem is that a cavity isn’t always apparent as pain; ...

There’s no magic to a healthy smile, but you do need to be committed to doing whatever you can to support your oral health including brushing, flossing. But you can’t do it alone, and that’s where your dental team comes in because they provide preventive treatments that support your at-home efforts.

Part of good oral health is educating yourself about basic dental health. You may hear your dentist in Fairfax talk about plaque and tartar, but understanding what they are and how they can damage your oral health is the key to being proactive.

It Starts with Bacteria

No matter how well you brush and floss, there will always be some ...

If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by all the treatment possibilities. After all, advanced technology and updated materials and techniques provide us with a wide array of possible approaches for helping you get the smile you want.

Visualize Your Best Smile

Once you’ve worked with your dental team to ensure that your teeth are healthy from the gums up, the fun begins! Your smile is a clean slate, and the possibilities for transformation are endless! You know you need to make an appointment with your ...

It has become clear in the last few years that poor oral health doesn’t just affect your mouth; study after study points to a connection between chronic gum infections and other conditions of the body.

Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

For instance, scientists have long suspected that there’s a connection between gum disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). But researchers from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have now identified the bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) as the common denominator between the two conditions.

The results of the study, published in Science Translational Medicine, found that the Aa bacterium was present in about half of the 196 RA patients tested. The conclusion is that ...

Do you bite your nails and wish you could stop? You’re not alone; estimates suggest that 20 to 30 percent of the population have a nail-biting habit.

Many people associate nail-biting with anxiety, but other motivating factors include boredom, frustration, intense concentration, and even hunger. You may worry about the habit because it’s unappealing and painful, but numerous studies reveal a connection between nail biting and increased dental oral and general health conditions.

Increased Exposure to Bacteria

Even if you wash your hands thoroughly, your fingernails still harbor all sorts of germs that spread to your teeth, tongue, and gums. This isn’t just gross; it can be downright deadly. One study shows that ...

Do missing teeth cause embarrassment when you smile, making it difficult for you to engage fully in life? Do older dentures cause sores and irritation because they no longer fit well?

If either applies to you, you will be happy to know that the highest quality modern dentures in Fairfax aren’t just a prosthetic that allows you to chew again. In the hands of an experienced dentist, dentures don’t just improve functionality; they can enhance your appearance and comfort.

Benefits of Modern Dentures

• Natural appearance – One reason many are resistant to dentures is their reputation for looking like “false” teeth. But today your dentist works with skilled lab technicians to design ...