People stop seeing the dentist for a variety of reasons, and we understand lapses in dental care. However, getting back on track is crucial to your oral health and general wellness.
Some patients don’t realize that a lack of dental care affects their overall health. Our goal is to educate you about the connection and ensure you enjoy comfort and health, today and in the future.
In this blog, we explore the following:
- Understanding the Dental Gap: Why It’s More Common Than You Think
- Overcoming the Mental Hurdles: Dealing with Dental Anxiety and Shame
- What to Expect Step-by-Step: Your First Visit After a Long Break
- Professional Teeth Cleaning: Prophy Vs. Periodontal Therapy
- Creating Your Roadmap to Health: Phased Treatment Planning
Understanding the Dental Gap: Why It’s More Common Than You Think
As written, people avoid dental care or miss treatment for various reasons. Here are the most common motives for gaps in dental care:
Costs and Insurance
Sometimes, patients have gaps in their insurance coverage or no dental insurance at all, making dental care difficult or impossible to access.
Fortunately, the team at Fox Valley Dental Center offers an exclusive membership plan that allows patients to receive basic care for a low annual fee. We designed our membership plan to help close the dental care gap. Ask a dental team member for details.
General Anxiety
General anxiety is another common culprit when it comes to a lack of in-office dental care. Patients fear needles or have a general aversion to dental work or having hands inside their mouths. They can even fear the dental setting.
At Fox Valley Dental Center, we’re pleased to offer nitrous oxide sedation to help patients feel more relaxed during their appointments.
Shame and Guilt
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 adults has untreated tooth decay. Eventually, this can lead to chronic bad breath, tooth crumbling, and even a dental emergency. It is often the state of the teeth that prevents patients from seeing the dentist. They are ashamed of how long they’ve waited to establish care.
Fortunately, we are a judgment-free practice. Our only aim is to restore your dental health and prevent serious oral health issues.
Procrastination and Knowledge Gaps
Some patients put off dental care, telling themselves they’ll book an appointment next week or next month. Eventually, a year or more has gone by without appropriate treatment.
Additionally, many patients don’t realize how their dental health relates to their physical wellness. For example, untreated gum disease puts the heart and lungs at risk. It has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and specific autoimmune conditions.
It’s important to remember that even if you don’t feel pain or notice changes to your teeth and gums, you may still have underlying issues that require attention.
Overcoming the Mental Hurdles: Dealing with Dental Anxiety and Shame
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides extensive research on the "Pathways of Fear and Anxiety in Dentistry." Research like this shows you that you’re not alone in your anxiety.
Dental phobia is a recognized psychological barrier to care, but our compassionate dental team can help you navigate this barrier and return to regular dental care.
What to Expect Step-by-Step: Your First Visit After a Long Break
If you’ve been away from the dentist for years, we may start with a comprehensive consultation that addresses any recognizable or underlying oral health issues. After we’ve addressed immediate or emerging dental health concerns, we start you on a regular schedule for checkups and teeth cleanings.
With us, you can expect patience and compassion. We have a unique understanding of dental phobia and are here to help.
Professional Teeth Cleaning: Prophy Vs. Periodontal Therapy
We follow the ADA guidelines for active vs. inactive patients. This includes diagnostic x-rays and a defined treatment path.
Lack of dental care is associated with gum disease, including early gum disease (gingivitis). To avoid the serious complications associated with gum disease, we’ll implement treatment if required.
A regular teeth cleaning means clearing tartar and bacteria from the teeth and gums, the very ingredients that cause tooth decay and gum disease. We use gentle instruments to achieve maximum cleaning.
For gum disease, we may do deep cleanings on an arranged schedule. This means clearing debris from below the gumline, including bacteria and infections. Deep cleanings help your gums heal and adhere to the tooth roots.
Without treatment, you’re at risk for serious oral and general health complications, including:
- Tooth Loss
- Lung Issues
- Heart Issues
- Chronic Bad Breath
- Specific Types of Dementia
- Pregnancy and Birth Complications
- Specific Autoimmune Conditions
Creating Your Roadmap to Health: Phased Treatment Planning
If you require ongoing care for specific oral health issues, we use phased treatments tailored to your unique needs and goals.
For example, you may need root canal therapy to address an emerging tooth infection. Cavity treatment may be planned based on the severity of the decay in each tooth.
Your dentist will share the plan with you and explain why a specific path is necessary for your needs.
Contact Your Dentist in Appleton to Get Started
Your dental health is a top priority for our team. Your comfort and well-being are part of that. So, whether it’s been five years or a decade since you’ve seen the dentist, we encourage you to call us for family dentistry in Appleton at (920) 731-7717.
We accept most insurance plans and are happy to bill your insurance provider on your behalf. Our dentist also works with CareCredit financing to help you budget your dental treatments.