Using music to manage dental anxiety

by Cierra Eaton |

Every time I told someone that I wanted to be a dentist, the most common response I received was, “No offense, but I hate dentists.” But why do people fear the dentist? Dental anxiety is a very common problem that may cause patients to avoid making regular visits to the dentist. Patients with dental anxiety have been shown to have a higher risk of periodontal disease and subsequently, tooth loss from delayed treatment. Common symptoms of dental anxiety include loss of sleep before the appointment, nervousness, crying, nausea, trouble breathing or panic attacks. With this in mind, how can dentists help reduce that anxiety and stress for the sake of their patients’ well-being?

I’m a music lover, so I definitely plan to have music playing in my future dental practice. For me, any genre of music can help reduce my stress levels, yet I often find myself gravitating towards “easy listening” music for this purpose. This observation raises an interesting question: can playing a certain style of music subconsciously ease a patient’s dental anxiety? Studies have shown that music can be used to lower blood pressure, reduce pain, relieve anxiety, and influence mood. This suggests that dentists can use music to their patients’ benefit, rather than simply for enjoyment.

Classical music has been shown in many studies to be one of the most relaxing styles of music. A 2011 systematic review published in the JBI Library of Systematic Reviews examining the effectiveness of of musical intervention on dental anxiety found that patients exposed to soothing piano music prior to treatment reported statistically significant lower intraoperative dental anxiety scores. A 2008 study published in the Medscape Journal of Medicine also found that patients listening to slow movements of Mozart’s piano sonatas exhibited a reduction in systemic stress hormone levels, which was subsequently associated with a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. While the exact physiological mechanisms of how this occurs still require further investigation, it is suggested that music serves to engage cognitive attention, which can distract patients from pain.

All types of music can be used to help reduce pain and dental anxiety, but classical and soothing, piano music have specifically been found to reduce intraoperative tension, blood pressure and heart rate. So, next time you are treating a patient with dental anxiety, consider giving your patient a few moments to listen to soothing classical music, or even their favorite tunes, to feel more comfortable in the chair. If anything, this small gesture can go a long way in building more harmony in your patient-provider relationship.

~Cierra Eaton, Missouri-Kirksville ’18

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Sources:

Using music to manage dental anxiety. (2016, May 13). Retrieved June 21, 2016, from http://www.asdablog.com/musical-management-of-dental-anxiety

5 Ways to Fresher Breath in the Morning

5 Ways to Fresher Breath in the Morning

Love waking up to the smell of coffee? Think twice before you reach for a cup! Your daily dose of Joe — and other habits that can easily escape your notice — could be giving you a bad case of morning breath. But fear not! Bad breath, or "halitosis", doesn't have to ruin your day. Nip the problem in the (taste)buds by giving these simple tips a try:

1. Cut the caffeine.

Coffee isn't the only beverage in town that can leave your breath less than fresh. Gulping down certain teas and energy drinks for a morning buzz may result in bad breath if they contain caffeine, which can inhibit the production of saliva. When the mouth is too dry, it allows oral bacteria, the main purveyor of halitosis, to flourish. To jumpstart the mind and body without this unpleasant side effect, turn to morning stretches and a refreshing smoothie or citrus-infused water instead. If you have to consume caffeinated beverages, be sure to hydrate with multiple glasses of water.

2. Stop smoking.

Besides putting you at risk for lung cancer, smoking cigarettes can stain your teeth and cause your breath to smell bad, dealing your oral health a double whammy. From the combustion of chemical additives to the tiny smoke particles left in your throat and lungs, it's almost inevitable that your breath ends up tasting and smelling stale. If you feel the urge to take a puff in the morning, distract yourself by doing light chores, or going for a quick walk. Obviously, a smoking habit may cause a more chronic breath problem, so quitting cigarettes and other forms of tobacco is your best bet for a more permanent solution.

3. Don't skip breakfast.

Pass on the coffee and cigarettes, but eat breakfast — and a nutritious one at that! After a long night's sleep, your mouth could benefit from a boost in saliva production, and a good meal is the perfect way to do it. Grab an apple for its high water content and crunchiness, both of which can help cut down on odor-causing bacteria. Yogurt and eggs can also promote saliva production while giving you a healthy serving of calcium and vitamin D. Get creative, but be selective, as some of your favorite breakfast foods may include not-so-breath-friendly ingredients such as garlic or onions.

4. Do a better job of brushing and flossing.

You're running late, but if there's one thing you shouldn't rush, it's your morning dental routine. From stuck food particles to gingivitis and even nasty tonsil stones, it all adds up to one major case of halitosis if left unchecked. For mornings where standard brushing and flossing doesn't seem to do the trick, get a deeper clean by scraping the gunk off your tongue and gargling with mouthwash. If you find yourself flying out the door and forgetting about your oral hygiene frequently, keep a travel-sized dental kit in your bag or at the office for convenience.

5. Check (and change) your sleeping habits.

More often than not, bad breath is noticeable the moment you wake up. The problem may not be what you eat or drink, or even how your brush and floss. Instead, it could be how you breathe during your sleep. Breathing orally throughout the night can quickly turn your mouth into a haven for oral bacteria, resulting in a parched sensation and an unpleasant odor. Depending on the severity of the situation, your dentist may recommend surgery, but something as simple as having a glass of water, sugar-free lozenge, or a humidifier on hand at night can help keep your mouth moist.

Let Your Dentist Have a Look

In some cases, morning breath that persists despite your efforts to remedy it may signal something more serious, from cavities and tooth infections, to diabetes and liver and kidney problems. Play it safe by seeing your dentist. He or she can help you determine and treat the root cause more efficiently, and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to rid yourself of the problem for good.

7 Surprising Foods That Are Staining Your Teeth

7 Surprising Foods That Are Staining
Your Teeth

Wine, coffee and tea–it's the trifecta of tooth-staining foods that almost everyone knows to avoid in order to protect their pearly whites. These beverages, however, are just the beginning of a long list of foods that can sabotage your smile, and chances are that many are flying undetected right under your very nose! From condiments to candy, put these sneaky offenders on your radar to keep tooth discoloration at bay.

Common Tooth-Staining Foods

1. Tomato-Based Meals
The high acidity level of tomatoes coupled with their bright red color can pack quite the punch on the enamel of your teeth. From your mom's homemade spaghetti sauce or soup, or your favorite brand of ketchup, constant exposure to even the smallest of doses can be damaging.

2. Curries
As rich in color as they are in flavor, many spice blends rank high in staining power, due to brightly colored ingredients such as turmeric and saffron. Over time, their pigments can leave a yellowish tint on your teeth.

3. Dark Sauces
Whether it's food infused with soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or other dark liquid, you can bet that eating enough of it will also dim your smile. If it's the base of your meal, there's a definite risk to the enamel of your teeth, but even side dips can be just as harmful because they are often more concentrated.

4. Clear Soda
Dark sodas already get a lot of notoriety for discoloring teeth, but don't switch to clear soda just yet! While its lighter color can make it seem like the better choice for those who love soda, it's still high in sugars that can eat away at tooth enamel and leave them prone to staining.

5. Fruit Juices and Berries
Fruit is undeniably nutritious, and many juices now come with no sugar added, but fructose is still a form of sugar, and it is bad news for tooth enamel. In fact, the darker color of certain fruits and juices–such as blueberry or grape–can have a staining effect similar to wine.

6. Sports Drinks
Because their makers often do a masterful job of promoting rehydration and electrolyte replacement, it's easy to overlook the sugar content and bright, fluorescent colors. Similar to soda and fruit juice, however, both the pigment and sugary nature of these drinks can leave your teeth less than white in no time.

7. Hard Candies and Popsicles
If they can turn your tongue into a rainbow of colors in a matter of seconds, just think of what they can do to your teeth! Even if consumed occasionally, prolonged sucking puts the surface of your teeth in direct contact with sugar, acid and dye–resulting in tooth decay as well as discoloration.

Tips To Prevent Tooth Staining

Cutting out many of these problem foods can go a long way in keeping your smile sparkling, but it may be unrealistic to avoid certain foods completely. Here's how you can help protect your teeth from sugary, acidic and/or colorful food:

• Eat thoroughly, but quickly to minimize any contact with the tooth's surface
• Use a straw to help bypass most of your teeth when drinking beverages
• Drink plenty of water during and after meals to wash away food particles
• Brush and floss your teeth after meals to help prevent stains from setting in
• Use whitening toothpaste to help remove stains and keep teeth sparkling

Professional Treatment Options

In addition to practicing good hygiene and being more mindful about your diet choices, professional dental care can do wonders in keeping your smile bright. Seeing your dentist regularly for a cleaning and checkup can help prevent and detect tooth staining, and there are many cosmetic whitening procedures that can remedy existing discoloration, whether mild or severe. Schedule a visit with your dentist for the optimal treatment plan for you.

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Sources:

7 Foods That Are Secretly Staining Your Teeth. (2014, Feb. 7). Retrieved June 5, 2015, from http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/foods-that-stain-teeth

Foods and Habits That Stain Your Teeth. (2009, Nov. 10). Retrieved June 3, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/foods-stain-teeth-feature?page=2

Lee, Robert. (2014, October 24). 7 Foods and Drinks that are Staining Your Teeth. Retrieved June 2, 2015, from http://esteemdental.com/7-foods-drinks-staining-teeth/