Jaws takes on a whole new meaning
Take care of teeth to avoid dental dread
Some of us would rather swim with sharks than visit the dentist.
Sure, no one likes going to the dentist but, 50 per cent of Canadians suffer from dental dread, according to a new survey by Septodont, maker of dental freezing products.
Almost 10 per cent of us would rather get close to a shark than a dentist.
Those sharp, shiny instruments and bright lights send anxiety levels through the roof — it’s enough reason for 30 per cent to brush off their appointments.
“I cancelled my last two appointments because I fear that torture chair,” says Val Christie, 44, of Ontario. “You always know there is going to be pain.”
“When I was a kid, my dentist did not use anesthetic to do fillings — need I say more? I never got over that — and now it’s not only the fear of drilling and fillings, but now the billing — I don’t have insurance.”
Others dread the freezing — a quarter of those between 18 to 34 are most likely to avoid the dentist because of the freezing needle and its numbing results. No one enjoys heading into that key afternoon meeting with embarrassing drooling, a lopsided smile and difficulty speaking.
(A new product, OraVerse, will reduce freezing time.)
According to the Canadian Dental Association, 35 per cent don’t visit the dentist regularly. Ignore your teeth, however, and they’ll go away. Those with the worst fear usually end up with the worst teeth — odontophobia has many suffering through tooth pain and gum disease.
Take the bite out of dental dread by taking care of your teeth. Besides brushing and flossing the ones you want to keep, make sure you avoid these surprising teeth wreckers:
Drinking water with lemon: Many people love to throw a lemon or two in their water to add flavour, but lemons are highly acidic and will put enamel at risk of being eroded, Toronto dentist Gary Klein says.
Using your teeth as tools: Do not use your teeth to rip off price tags. And ditch your party favourite — opening bottle caps with your teeth. Don’t bite on objects — from pens or pencils to fingernails; gnawing on objects is a sure way to damage your teeth, Klein says.
Swimming in a pool: Swimming in a poorly maintained pool can damage teeth, Klein says. “The swallowing/uptake of pool water into your mouth can contribute to the erosion of your teeth, as the pool water can be highly acidic.”
Eating popcorn kernels: Many popcorn fans proclaim the unpopped kernels are the best part, but chewing on these can lead to chips and cracks, Klein adds.
Having a sweet tooth: Gummy candies and caramel are full of sugar, and can get stuck all over your teeth, making it hard to brush them clean afterward, Klein says. The stickiness also pulls on dental work with force, he adds, and over time also can lead to dental dread with expensive dental work needed to repair teeth.
Sports drinks: Boosting energy can add to dental dread. Many sports drinks are full of sugar and are very acidic, Klein, which contribute to acid erosion of your enamel.
Late-night snacking: This can lead to acid reflux that erodes your enamel. Tooth structure erodes at an acidity of PH5.5 and stomach acid that ups up into the mouth is 100,000 times more acidic than saliva, reports Susan Maples, author of Blabber Mouth! 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You To Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life (Blabbermouth! Press). If you suffer from acid reflux, see a doctor.