How to deal with Dental Anxiety

What is dental anxiety?

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Dental anxiety is the feeling of being nervous or scared of going to the dentist and/or receiving dental treatment. The severity of dental anxiety can greatly vary, from feeling mildly nervous to severe phobia. 

Why do I have dental anxiety?

People can have dental anxiety for many reasons, most commonly being negative dental experience/s in the past. These experiences may be recent or even from several/years decades ago. 

Dental anxiety may also stem from heating about others’ negative experiences, having other bad healthcare experience/s and generalized anxiety/psychological issues. 

Is dental anxiety common?

Dental anxiety is very common, affecting many people of all ages. 

How will dental anxiety affect me?

Dental anxiety can prevent you from seeking timely dental examinations and treatment.

Regular dental checkups and cleans are essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy, and pick up any issues (decay, gum disease etc) early so they can be treated conservatively. Without these timely dental visits, it is very likely that oral health will worsen and dental disease will progress unnoticed, and need more invasive and complex treatment. The latter often exacerbated the dental anxiety hence creating a vicious cycle.

How do I overcome dental anxiety?

The first step overcoming dental anxiety is to find a dental practitioner with whom you feel comfortable. 

Here at Heidelberg Dentist, we pride ourselves on having helped hundreds of patients overcome their dental anxiety. Together, we discuss the triggers of your anxiety and come up with a tailor made treatment plan that meets your needs and not be overwhelming. We can carry out your treatment in as few or as many appointments as you would prefer to make it as comfortable as possible. We take our time and talk you through each and every stage of treatment. Finally, we offer a variety of very effective relaxation techniques including comforting neck and back support, your choice of music and tv during treatment, and soothing essential oils. 

Although dental anxiety can be crippling, it can be completely overcome with the correct management and effective techniques. Book your appointment today and let us help you on this journey!

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

What is the real cost of porcelain veneers in Thailand?

Veneers are a way to fix the shape and colour of your crooked and stained teeth into a stunning smile with straight teeth that you're proud of. A veneer is a thin cover for your teeth, similar to having a fake nail put on your fingers.

Veneers can be done in porcelain or in resin (white filling material). Porcelain veneers are what you see many celebrities have or what they do in the extreme makeover shows to get those amazing results in what literally seems like zero time.

Its well known that veneers are cheaper in Thailand or other popular medical tourism destinations. I often get asked why?

Dental treatment in Thailand is cheap, but what about your body?

I'll get to that shortly, but first it's important for you to appreciate that any high quality dental procedure, particularly cosmetic dental procedures takes time, both in the chair and also with the lab. Your dentist takes this time to not only give you a great looking smile, but to also ensure the right fit so that you're not in pain later.

Time is also a crucial factor in helping your body and your mouth adapt to the new fittings in your mouth. If you're forming the conclusion that this is one aspect of life that cannot be rushed, you're spot on.

One of the main issues we see with work being done on holiday (or even dental holidays), is that it gets rushed. This can lead to an improper fit, crowns or veneers falling out or, in the worst case scenario, your tooth having to be removed.

The reason dental treatment in Thailand or other popular medical tourism destinations is cheap is because of the material that's used, the cost of labour and the dedication to post-procedure care. All of these are significantly cheaper in Thailand (or other less developed countries).

Your peace of mind is important

It's worth you keeping in mind the old adage when it comes to your dental treatment: you get what you pay for.

You can get a lot of peace of mind by getting your dental work done in the country you live in. If you have a reaction or if something doesn't feel right, you can easily get it checked, fixed or even replaced without unnecessary waiting times (or an extra flight) and difficult questions that you many not be able to answer.

In some cases the overseas work done on some people has been so bad that it costs them many multiple of what they initially spent to get it fixed in Australia.

Ultimately, the choice is yours and we know that the cost will be cheaper - but at what biological cost?

If price is the only factor holding you back from getting your smile makeover at a trusted and caring dentist in Heidelberg, Melbourne, we offer interest-free dental payment plan to ease the pressure on your budget. Your treatment can also be spread out over a longer period to give your body and your wallet more time to recover.

If you have questions about any dental work done overseas, book an appointment with our caring and approachable dentists. We will be able to give you affordable options that are in line with modern treatment techniques that are considered best-practice by local dentists in Melbourne.

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

8 lifestyle tips to help teenagers sleep better & crush it

Research suggests that teenagers need at least 9 hours of sleep during the night in order to function the best during the day. It is sometimes hard for them to get this amount of sleep every day due to school hours, after school activities, homework and for some, even work schedules. It is very common for them to be sleep deprived and they try to catch on sleep during the weekend. Even though we often think of sleep schedules being for younger children, it is just as important for teenagers to have a sleep schedule, and good sleep habits. Sleep deprivation has very similar properties to depression, and can lead to many health issues as explained here.

SCREEN TIME

EXERCISE

Regular daily activity (even easy walks) can help with the sleeping schedule. It is only important to avoid exercising 2-3 hours before bedtime because it can disrupt the sleep. It takes the body several hours to cool down and get ready to rest.

CAFFEINE

Limit the caffeine intake, especially in the late afternoon and evenings. Caffeine is a stimulant and will keep you awake. This applies to all the drinks/ food that contain caffeine - coffee, tea, some sodas, chocolate etc.

SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT

Sleeping environment can have a lot of impact on the overall quality of sleep. It is suggested to have teenagers avoid watching TV, be on the computers or phones right before the bedtime. The light from the screens will cause alertness and it will take more time to fall asleep afterwards. Bedroom should be the most comfortable room to relax. Make sure it is dark enough, quiet and cool. These are the best conditions to easily fall asleep. It would be the best to maintain the regular sleep schedule and keeping the distractions to the minimum before the bedtime.

LAVENDER

Lavender helps release melatonin (the sleep hormone). Spray a little bit on your pillow, have it in a humidifier or have it in a bath just before bed,

HOT BATH

A hot bath is relaxing, and allows the body to wind down. Lavender oil or Epsom salts, or magnesium can also help alleviate aches pains and release melatonin (the sleep hormone)

DIM LIGHTS

Bright lights can often release serotonin as it mimics sunlight and can wake you up. Often if you're in the bathroom just before you go to bed, the harsh bathroom lights can affect your ability to go to sleep quickly.

NAPS

Napping is good for rejuvenating after a long day. However, naps should not be longer than 20-30 minutes in the afternoon. Everything longer can disrupt the regular sleep schedule and make it harder to fall asleep at night.

If you feel like your teenage child may need some expert help to improve their sleep, make an appointment with one of our approachable and caring dentists:

Alternatively, book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How to make teething rusks at home for your baby

Teething is never an easy road for the baby and the parents. At times we may feel very helpless as our babies go through the awful process. They are so young to comprehend that it really hurts. However It’s a very natural process that babies need to endure and get through. As parents, we can actually do something to help make teething easier.

What are rusks?

A rusk is a hard baked bread or biscuit which is used as a teething food for babies. They’re created so babies can bite & chew down without even cracking the rusk.

This is one great substitute for teething rings because the ingredients are basically organic and natural in the forms of milk, wheat, and it contains no added sugar. They taste great which makes a great snack for toddlers too!

What age can you give a baby a rusk?

It’s best to give rusks when you have started solids and your baby can grasp objects properly. Even though its unlikely that they will be able to break through the rusk, its vital that the baby is being watched for signs of choking or if the rusk breaks.

Are teething rusks safe?

Yes, as long as the baby is being watched, and normal safety precautions are taking place. Remember, you know your baby best and you should modify my recipe to suit your baby's needs and your own situation.

As a dentist who treats children every week anecdotal evidence (as well as my experience) tells me that teeth rusks can be very soothing for our babies. So now for the recipe:

Easy Homemade Rusk Recipe

By: Dr Ayesha Tiwary
Ingredients:
125g Rice (any type)
Banana or other fruit purees (depending on your preference)

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Place 125g rice (Any type) into a blender.
3. Blend 30secs stopping every 10 secs to push grains from the top of the lid back into the bowl.
4. Repeat Step 3 until rice grains are a fine powder.
5. Break Banana into pieces and add to the blender and mix 10 secs (I have tried this with other fruit purees instead of banana, and all have worked well)
6. Transfer mixture to a separate bowl.
7. Form mixture into 8 - 10 8-cm long log shapes and place on baking tray.
8. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Allow to cool completely before giving to your little one to enjoy (or place them in the freezer they last longer and the cold rusk can be soothing on the gums as well)
Make your own easy homemade baby rusk, and let us know if your baby loves it. Enjoy!

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How you can help your teething baby

So this is the first time I’m dealing with a teething baby in a non-professional way (except for my own which I don’t remember, thank God!). Teething is never an easy road for the baby or the parents. At times we may feel very helpless as our babies go through the awful process as well as being extra sleep deprived.

When does teething usually begin?

Teething can begin at any age (some babies are even born with teeth!) However it typically begins around 4 months, with the tooth cutting through around 6 months.

Girls generally get their teeth a little earlier than boys, however every baby is different. Usually the lower incisors (or 2 mid-front teeth) pops out with the molars erupts last. This could take up to 2 years, but don’t worry our babies won’t be teething the whole entire time!

The above image is just a guide, don't worry if your baby isn't exactly following these times.

What do you expect during teething?

While every baby differs during the teething process you can expect a few fussy nights, especially as the teeth are cutting through. It’s important to try a couple different soothing options because each will work better for different babies.

Ultimately, a little trial and error will go a long way but don’t be overly concerned if you can’t completely soothe them. Their teeth are erupting after all and some pain should be expected. On the other hand, if discomfort seems excessive or goes on for a week or more, make an appointment with your doctor as it could be something else.

Every baby’s teething experience usually differs. There will be nights that the baby is squeamish, and there are some that develops low grade fever. But, there’s a lot of misconceptions on fever being associated with the teething process per se. Yes, your baby is cranky and may even have a mild fever. But if the temp. is above 38 degrees it is likely because of an infection, not teething.

What are the signs my baby is teething?

Some common symptoms your baby is teething include:
1. Baby is very irritable!
2. Puts everything to their mouth
3. Slightly puffy gums
4. So much drooling going on!
5. Biting into anything
6. No appetite
7. Rubs face most of the time.
8. Ear pulling (This is actually very clever, as they are trying to alleviate some of their pain.)
9. Flush cheeks

What can I do to help ease my baby’s pain?

Here are a few things that I have done to help soothe my son’s pain (and therefore mine!)
- The almighty Bonjella and gum massage, this usually gives him instant relief
- Chewing on a cold washcloth (sometimes I put in on my shoulder so he gets cuddles and gets to chew at the same time)
- Homemade rusks (See my recipe here)
- Homemade teething rings (see some ideas here)
- Panadol (sometimes this is what helps us all sleep)
- Breast milk/formula ice cubes or in a mesh pacifier

Just explore on what works better. Basically, a little experiment goes a long way!

If you're still worried about your baby or toddlers teeth then give us a call because our children's dentists here in Melbourne have patience in abundance to take care of your child. Plus, you'll be able to get the answers that you need in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

Your child may also be eligible for $1000 of free dental treatment under the CDBS, let us help you find out. Visit our CBDS help page to understand more about the eligibility rules and also to help us help you find out if your little ones are eligible for free dental treatment or call us on (03) 9459 6300 or make an appointment online:

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

CDBS: $1000 Dental Treatment For Children Still Available

We all know that funding for dental health in Australia leaves a lot to be desired. Successive governments have turned a blind eye to the effect our dental health has on our overall health and conveniently left the majority funding of dental treatments to private health insurers. However, the Child Dental Benefits Scheme (CDBS) is a pleasant departure from the government's usual ambivalence. Not least because it entitles your child free dental treatment up to $1000!

The Australian Dental Association has previously warned that "Australia is one of the top 10 countries for high levels of per capita consumption of soft drink.” We concur, because we keep noticing that Heidelberg Dentist's young patients' love of sugary food and drinks shows no signs of reducing.

While it is not news that excess sugar in a child's diet poses many risks to his or her dental health, it is important to understand that the CDBS's $1000 in free dental treatment can go a long way towards helping at-risk children. Treatments that such children might undergo are typically covered under the CDBS program.

Use it or lose it

Unfortunately, the CDBS does seem to be a case of "use it or lose it." With recent and current federal governments increasingly looking to cut health spending, there is no way of knowing just when they will decide to axe the CDBS again.

Don't wait for our unpredictable politicians to tell us that they will again be cutting the CDBS. These decisions are usually announced during the middle of the year on or before budget night, or at the end of the year, close to Christmas. Remember, it never pays to play chicken with politicians!

If you don't know whether your child is eligible for $1000 of free dental treatment under the CDBS, let us help you find out. Visit our CBDS help page to understand more about the eligibility rules and also to help us help you find out if your little ones are eligible for free dental treatment or call us on (03) 9459 6300 or make an appointment online:

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How HCF members use their dental health cover at Heidelberg Dentist

As a HCF Health Fund "More For You" preferred provider, we are able to help HCF health insurance members keep their oral health in tip-top shape. If you have "extras" insurance with HCF, your dental cleans and treatments at Heidelberg Dentist may be covered under HCF's "More For You" program.

For the year ending May 2017, our patients who are HCF members claimed a wide range of dental treatments through their HCF health insurance, including:

• Comprehensive dental exams to find any immediate problems and prevent nasty future surprises
• X-rays and other diagnostic services
• Preventative dentistry like periodontic treatments (to treat bleeding, swollen, tender, receding gums)
• Simple and complex restorations, including crowns, bridges and implants
• Extractions of teeth that were beyond saving
• Root canals where necessary
• Orthodontic braces for adults and children

In fact, over 60% of the treatments provided to HCF members who choose us as their dentist, are for preventative treatments like general scale and cleans and comprehensive examinations. This is a great outcome for these patients because it means that there is less risk of them requiring expensive and painful emergency dental treatment in the future.

These statistics also point to why we're proud to be the family dentist for thousands of families in the areas surrounding Heidelberg, including Rosanna, Eaglemont, Ivanhoe and others. Our aim is always to ensure that your dental health is the best it can be given your age, lifestyle and goals. Part of this aim is to help you minimise the chances of expensive and painful emergency dental treatments.

If you are with another health fund and you are looking to switch to another health insurance company, give HCF a call on 13 13 34 to see what they might be able to do for you, or view their products online.

If you have other questions about our treatments, then our friendly and caring team will be able to help you. Call us on (03) 9459 6300 or you can even book an appointment online:

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Have you made your personal dental health and smile plan?

The normal course of a visit to your dentist involves the dentist telling the patient what to do. This has been the way for generations and it works for some people. But does this work for you? Or would you like more control over the future course of your smile and general oral health?

Our dentists at Heidelberg Dentist take pride in getting to know you and helping you achive your goals. We've found the best way to do this is to ask a few simple questions. We encourae all our patients to create a simple, mental plan of what they want their smile and oral health to look like as they progress through life.

Some of the simple questions that can help you craft your own personal dental health plan include:

• Are you happy with how your teeth look right now?
• Are you fussed about keeping your natural teeth?
• Do you have a confident smile, or is there something that might make you more confident about your smile?
• Have your family members had oral health problems that you would like to avoid?
• What are the key things about your oral health that you would like to focus on over the medium to long term?

Answers to these questions will help you and your dentist better understand how we can help you take great care of your long term oral health and smile. A comprehensive pesonal dental plan will also help you minimise the occurance of costly and unforeseen dental emergencies.

If you would like to see a friendly and caring team of dental experts in a relaxed environment, call us on (03) 9459 6300 or book an appointment online for a great dental treatment experience:

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

8 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Dentist Visit

Image Source: Best Dentist News

At Heidelberg Dentist we strive to make our patients comfortable for their dental visit. We understand that many people have a fear of coming in, and we want to help address that. Dental fear for some can lead to avoiding the dentist and concerns which were initially reversible lead to pain and costly and extensive treatment.

1. Let us know if you are anxious. If you have a dental fear, whether it’s from a bad past experience, or just a fear of pain or the unknown, let us know so we can help you. Whether it’s coming in early and having some green tea while you chat to our friendly front office staff, or spending more time in the initial consult to help address the fear. We are here to help!

2. Maintain your normal routine. Many people go into overdrive when they know their dental appointment is coming up. This often leads to aggressive brushing and flossing which can aggravate gums and weaken the enamel of your teeth.

3. Be prepared. If you are on a lot of medications, please bring a list with you. Sometimes medications which you think are irrelevant actually can impact your oral health or dental treatments that can be offered to you. If you have a lot of concerns, or want to discuss cosmetic options then come with a list of questions so you feel everything is answered and nothing is missed.

4. Share your history. If you are switching dental clinics, it’s great to have a copy of your records and Z-rays so the dentist can help diagnose current problems and understand your oral health.

5. Be honest. If you haven’t been brushing or flossing regularly (or just don’t know how), or are drinking or eating more sugar than you say- just be honest. We won’t judge and it will help us in diagnosing the problem and coming up with a tailor made solution.

6. Ask questions. If you aren’t sure about a procedure being recommended, or want to see photos, read articles, or take home more information, just ask! We are happy to provide as much information in the way that you would like it to help ease any fear.

7. If music relaxes you, or if you have a certain TV show or movie you would like to run, just let us know before and we can have it playing on our screen and speaker to help you feel comfortable. Also, if the temperature is uncomfortable for you then let us know and we can provide a blanket or extra fan.

8. Schedule regular visits. As weird as it sounds, if you are afraid of the dentist then you should be seeing us regularly. Frequent visits allow for any changes to be detected, and solutions to concerns or changes to your routine to be made very early which in turn prevents costly and extensive treatment, as well as tooth pain.

If you would like to see a friendly and caring team of dental experts in a relaxed environment, call us on (03) 9459 6300 or book an appointment online for the best dental treatment experience:

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Top 5 Proven Home Remedies To Treat Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity can be a real pain (pun intended). From stopping you from having ice-cream when its hot, to the cold wind stirring up the pain when you walk outside in winter.

Tooth sensitivity can happen to you due to a variety of reasons such as cavities, gum disease, weak enamel, improper brushing action and grinding your teeth. If you are suffering from sensitivity it is best to see your dentist to rule out any cavities or disease.

Call us on (03) 9459 6300 or make an appointment online to get a proven treatment for sensitive teeth from one of our gentle dentists.

However, if you want to try some home-based treatments for sensitive teeth, our list of the top 5 home remedies includes:

Sensitive Teeth Remedy 1. Listen to your body

Awareness of grinding or clenching your teeth. Whether it’s while you are playing sport or at the gym, driving, working or just thinking, lots of people tend to take out their stress on their teeth which in turn puts too much force on them and can cause sensitivity.

Check out our guide to easy exercises to help relieve muscle pain from teeth grinding.

Alternatively, you may need to consider a night-guard for grinding or clenching at night. Night guards are essentially a mouthguard that you can wear at night to protect your teeth from the stresses that your jaw and TMJ dysfunctions can put them under.

Call us on (03) 9459 6300 or make an appointment online to see if a night-guard will help you protect your teeth and relieve the sensitivity in your teeth.

Sensitive Teeth Remedy 2. Look at your toothbrush

Swap your toothbrush for one that is rated "soft" or even "extra soft".

Over brushing or an improper action can lead to scrubbing your teeth too hard and therefore sensitivity. Be gentle to your teeth and use a soft bristle toothbrush, a circular motion instead of a scrubbing action

Sensitive Teeth Remedy 3. Watch what you eat and drink

In short: avoid acidic foods.

Soft drinks, acidic foods can wear away the enamel and therefore expose the inner dentine or the root surface which can cause a lot of sensitivity. Avoiding acidic foods, or drinking through a straw can help against tooth erosion and keep the teeth strong.

Sensitive Teeth Remedy 4. Take care of the gaps between your teeth...

...by flossing. Flossing helps clean in-between the teeth and keep plaque away from the gums, this helps reduce gum disease. With long term gum disease, the gum recedes and the root surface of the tooth is exposed which is not covered by enamel and can cause sensitivity.

Be careful of bush lawyers telling you that you may have cavities in your teeth that are causing your teeth sensitivity. While cavities can cause many problems, your tooth sensitivity is likely the result of a different dental issue.

Sensitive Teeth Remedy 5. Try using a sensitive toothpaste

Don't worry, your toothpaste wont mind.

If all the other causes of sensitivity have been ruled out by your dentist, the use of a sensitive toothpaste as well as a soft toothbrush can help against sensitivity.

Sensodyne and Colgate Pro-Relief toothpaste are the most obvious and commonly used sensitive toothpastes that you can look for on your supermarket shelves. There are other options and you should try the various options from the different brands to see if any of them work for you.

Sensitive Teeth Remedy 6. Visit a gentle dentist

If you have tried all of these remedies and more, but your sensitive teeth are still bothering you our gentle dentists can help. There are a few proven treatment options to relieve you of your sensitive teeth.

Your treatment options range from tooth mousses to fillings or even a root canal in some progressed situations.

The other advantage of visiting a dentist to treat your sensitive teeth over any home remedy, is that a dentist can actually treat the underlying problem.

You see, if your roof is leaking and you paint over the water stains in your ceiling, you might hide the problem - but it will come back over and over. Home remedies might just have the same effect, whereas seeing a dentist will help you understand where the leak is and how to fix it with a more permanent solution.

Call us on (03) 9459 6300 or book an appointment online to get proven treatments for your sensitive teeth from our caring and gentle dentists.

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

5 Reasons Why You Should Have A Family Dentist

Many of us don't realise that a good family dentist is just as important for your family's health and wellbeing as a good family General Practitioner or doctor. Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider when selecting your family dentist:

1. Caring For Every Member of Your Family: every good family dentist should be able to assess, advise on and treat the dental health of your entire family - from babies and children, to elderly grandparents. A good family dentist possesses an array of general dentistry skills which are required to care for all-round dental health of your family.


2. Greater Comfort Levels with Your Dentist: let's be honest, not everyone likes going to a dentist. Ths is why people seek the advice of family and friends when selecting their dentist. We know that if you are comfortable and satisfied with your dentist, then your children, spouse and extended family members are more likely to also feel at ease with that dentist. Increased comfort with your dentist is key to the entire family scheduling and attending regular dental appointments, which will minimise the chances of unforeseen and expensive dental emergencies.


3. Consistent & Accurate Diagnoses & Treatment: a good family dentist maintains accurate records of every patient visit. This enables the dentist to quickly and correctly diagnose, prevent and / or treat the dental issues of their patients. For this to happen, it is important that you and your family members regularly schedule and attend your dentist appointments.


4. Convenient Location Close to Home: location is a very important factor when choosing your family dentist. Google searches are often the first port of call and references from family and friends can also help. Having the same family dentist also allows family members to schedule appointments together, cutting down unnecessary travel and waiting times.


5. Better, More Personalised Care: As your dentists understands you and your family, they will also be able to better anticipate and help with your specific concerns, questions and quirks! 

At Heidelberg Dentist, our team prides itself on being the only dental clinic in the area that focuses on family dentistry. This is why most of our new patients come from referrals from their family and friends who are already our patients.

Why not pop in in for a quick visit of our family-friendly dental clinic. We're located at 34 Rosanna Road, Heidelberg, opposite Warringal shopping centre.

You can also call us on (03) 9459 6300 or book an appointment online for a dental treatment experience your whole family will appreciate:

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist