7 Tips to Manage Your Dental Anxiety | Winston-Salem Dentist

October 12, 2022/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by MSP SEO

Winston-Salem Dentist | Smile Sensations Dental

At Smile Sensations Dental, our goal is to help our patients feel at ease in our care. But with so many people suffering from dental fear or anxiety, we have our work cut out for ourselves. Please understand that you are not alone. We want to change the old perception of what it means to visit the dentist.

Does Dental Anxiety Affect Health?

Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid visiting the dentist regularly because of anxiety. Practicing preventive care and quickly addressing any issues in your teeth and gums is critical to your oral and overall health. When someone avoids necessary dental procedures, it can lead to adverse outcomes like gum disease and tooth decay which definitely affect the rest of the body. Please read below to learn your Winston-Salem dentist’s tips for better coping with dental anxiety once and for all.

#1 Acknowledge Your Fear

Accept that you have a phobia and try to understand why you have it in the first place. You may find it interesting that there’s maybe only one thing that makes you anxious. For example:

Fear of pain
Fear of the unknown
Embarrassment about dental health
Bad past experiences

#2 Find the Right Fit

Choose a dentist that will make you feel comfortable and confident about the care you’re receiving. Look for a dental practice that offers the following:

A caring and friendly staff
Great reviews
Simple answers to questions
A zen-like atmosphere
State-of-the-art dental care and treatments

#3 Breath Deep and Consider Sedation

Plan to get in the right mindset for 5-10 minutes before your dental visit. Stretch, meditate, or do some breathing exercises. If you suffer from extreme anxiety and those tips aren’t helping, ask your dentist about sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide or sedatives can help you stay calm during your procedure.

#4 Bring Someone With You

Bring a friend or family member to be with you during your procedure. Support near the dental chair or in the waiting room may help you feel safer and at ease.

#5 Don’t Rush

Plan to arrive a bit early to your dental appointment to give yourself time to breathe. Nothing spikes cortisol more than having to rush to a meeting. Relax in the waiting room, talk with the front desk staff, and ask any burning questions you have about your dental treatment.

#6 Share Your Feelings

Don’t suffer in silence — tell the dental team you feel anxious. A good dentist’s goal is to give you the personalized care you need to help you have a relaxed experience. Let the dental team know your level of comfort by raising your hand.

#7 Ask Questions

Always voice your concerns or discomfort. Your Winston-Salem dentist accommodates your requests, explains tools and possible sensations, and ensures you’re comfortable the entire time.

Your Winston-Salem Dentist is Here to Help

Smile Sensations Dental is here to help you have the best dental experience possible. Your appointment is catered to your needs and ensures you feel comfortable and at ease throughout the procedure. Don’t let your dental phobia scare you out of your oral health.

Please let us know how we can provide the best experience for you. Call your dentist in Winston-Salem, Smile Sensations Dental, to schedule an appointment. Ask us about our other dental services, like dental implants and teeth whitening.

4 Great Tips to Find the Best Dentist Near Me

July 12, 2022/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by MSP SEO

Dentist Near Me in Winston-Salem, NC

Are you new to the Winston-Salem area and looking for a new dentist? Or maybe you suffer from dental anxiety and just now found enough courage to visit a dentist after many years of avoidance.

Regardless, it is essential to pick the right dentist from the get-go. It would help if you have a dentist that takes dentistry, and your family’s concerns, seriously.

But how do you find the best dentist near you? Do not fear; we’ve listed a few stress-free steps of what you should look for when finding a good dentist in Winston-Salem.’

#1 Dentist Near Me with a Wide Range of Services

The best dental practices offer a wide range of high-quality dental services. Ensure they offer general dental services like exams, teeth cleanings, and preventive care.

Beyond that, you may be interested in cosmetic dentistry procedures like teeth whitening or porcelain veneers. Perhaps you have dental plans in the future for dental implants, crowns, and bridges. Whatever it may be, ensure you choose someone who offers everything you need and want, so you don’t have to look for another dentist later.

#2 Recommendations and Referrals

A dental practice should proudly display testimonials of dental experiences and recommendations. You deserve some proof that they know what they are doing and how to treat their patients.

The easiest thing to do is check reviews by googling ‘dentist near me.’ Not only is Google My Business practical, but it is unbiased. It will pull up all the dentists in the Winston-Salem area. Here you can see all the reviews left for their practice.

Another fantastic way is to ask the people you trust the most — friends and family. Word of mouth is the original and most powerful advertising tool. The best dentists understand that, treat each patient well, and always strive to deliver exceptional care.

#3 Qualifications

The best dental practices have great dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. Find a dentist that puts a lot of effort into employing professional and expertly qualified staff. Take some time to visit each dentist’s website to see their qualifications and experience. It is crucial to find someone that values continuing education and can prove they are up to date with new techniques and dental treatments.

#4 Convenience

We all have busy lives, which sometimes makes it easy to put off visits to the dentist every six months. Make your life easier and find a dental practice close to your home or workplace.

Find a practice that will work with you and your financial situation. Whether you have dental insurance or not, the practice should offer payment plans and financing to get your teeth in tip-top order.

Visit Smile Sensations | Dentist Near Me

If you’re looking for a state-of-the-art dentist office, don’t hesitate to contact us at Smile Sensations, your Winston-Salem dentist. We offer high-quality dental treatments, including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic, to give you optimal oral health and the most beautiful smile. We love serving the community of Winston-Salem. Please schedule an appointment today.

Cosmetic Dentist Tips for Avoiding Stained Teeth

May 12, 2022/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by MSP SEO

Cosmetic Dentist in Winston-Salem

COFFEE, TEA, AND RED WINE LOVERS know all too well the effects these drinks have on teeth. The three of them are all the worst culprits for turning your smile into a dirty and drab mess.

But did you know that many other foods and drinks can also cause discoloration of your tooth enamel? Don’t worry; we are not asking you to cut these foods out of your diet. But reducing consumption, learning tips from your cosmetic dentist in Winston-Salem, and improving your oral hygiene can help keep a bright, white, healthy smile.

What Causes Tooth Stains?

Chemical compounds called chromogens give some foods and drink their intense, dark color. Another substance called tannins can make your teeth much more likely to stain the outer surface. The acids wear down your teeth and increase the chance of the food and drink stains setting in. These are called extrinsic stains. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if something can stain your clothes or tongue, it can most likely stain your teeth.

What Foods Will Stain Teeth?

Confusingly, some foods and drinks that stain teeth contain many vitamins and minerals, which have health benefits, so you don’t want to cut them out of your diet. Read below for some of the worst staining offenders for tooth discoloration.

Tea and coffee
Red wine
Cola
Fruit juices
Balsamic vinegar
Soy sauce
Berries
Beetroot
Tomato-based sauces
Curry
Energy drinks

What can I do about stained teeth?

Sometimes heredity can make you more prone to staining. But the most significant factor, by far, is poor oral hygiene. Read below for tips from your cosmetic dentist in Winston-Salem, NC that you can take to help keep your smile shiny and white no matter the type of stain.

Substitute a cup of tea for herbal tea.
Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking something that is staining.
Eat crunchy fruit and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery. They increase saliva and scrub your teeth at the same time.
Consider using a straw when drinking to keep liquid from touching your teeth.
Brush your teeth twice a day, minimum, with a whitening toothpaste.

See Dr. Taylor, your cosmetic at Smile Sensations Dental, every six months or as frequently as advised for the brightest smile. He offers many cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as professional cleaning and teeth whitening, to brighten discolored teeth and return your beautiful smile.

Dr. Taylor can make custom trays that deliver prescription-strength whitening gel to your teeth. With this at-home treatment, you’ll wear the trays for up to 1 hour a day for a few weeks to whiten your teeth.

Visit Your Cosmetic Dentist in Winston-Salem

Caring for your oral health is essential for looking after your overall health. Contact our dental professionals today to schedule an appointment for personalized care from your cosmetic dentist in Winston-Salem. Ask us about our other dental services like porcelain veneers, dental crowns, and dental implants.

An Intro to Veneers and Crowns

January 12, 2022/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by admin

MANY OF US ARE unhappy with the way our smiles look, and that’s where veneers and crowns come in for our Winston-Salem, NC patients. Maybe our teeth aren’t as white as we’d like, they have unusual shapes, or they’ve suffered some damage like chipping or fractures. Veneers are a great, long-lasting solution we can use to fix these problems and get the smiles of our dreams when a simple teeth whitening treatment isn’t enough.

How Do Veneers Work?

In cosmetic dentistry, veneers are thin, tooth-colored porcelain or composite resin shells that cover the natural teeth. Because they are as resilient as tooth enamel, they protect the teeth from damage and can last many years. They are custom-made to the contour of the patient’s teeth and bonded to the enamel over the course of one or two in-office procedures.

The Veneer Placement Process

Veneer placement follows these steps:

If the patient’s teeth are particularly sensitive, local anesthetic may be used, but it usually isn’t necessary. The dentist cleans the tooth and determines the ideal shade, then removes a thin layer of enamel to make room for the veneer.
The dentist takes an impression of the tooth and places a temporary veneer.
Once the custom veneer has been delivered, the tooth is cleaned and the veneer is etched, rinsed, and dried, and finally cemented onto the tooth.
A curing light helps harden the adhesive to attach the veneer to the tooth. The dentist polishes the veneer and removes any excess material.

Are Veneers Right for You?

Veneers are a fantastic option to address certain esthetic issues with one or more teeth, but they are not the best solution for every dental problem, as they can be pricey and some amount of natural enamel must be scraped away to make room for them. The best candidates for them are patients with chipped, broken, badly discolored, or worn teeth.

For patients with alignment issues or less severe discoloration, orthodontic and whitening treatment will usually be preferable, while patients with a more severe issue like extensive decay or damage will likely benefit more from crowns.

What Are Crowns Made From?

Crowns are made from different types of material. Early in dentistry, they were made from metals and stainless steel. Here at Smile Sensations Dental, we use porcelain crowns. The reason that we recommend porcelain is because of its strength and cosmetic appeal. Porcelain provides a better color match than other materials. It is also better for persons who have metal allergies.

Taking Care of Your Veneers or Crowns

It’s important to take good care of your veneers or crowns once you have them so that they will last as long as they should before they need replacement. This mainly consists of the same good brushing and flossing habits you maintain for your natural teeth, and you can minimize the risk of the dental work becoming stained by avoiding foods and drinks that stain, such as coffee and red wine.

Bring Us Your Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry!

If you’re considering getting restoration work or treatment from a cosmetic dentist and living in the Winston-Salem area, we’re sure you have plenty of questions. Just give us a call or stop by to set up an appointment. We can tell you everything you need to know and make a plan to get you the smile you’ve always wanted!

We love when our patients love their smiles!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Reasons to Be Thankful for Your Winston-Salem Dentist

November 11, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by admin

WE’RE ALMOST AT the end of another year, and one of the best parts of the holiday season is getting some time to take stock of all the things we’re grateful for. From our families to our careers, our homes to our country, those lists can be pretty long, and if you live in Winston-Salem, NC, one more great thing to add to your list is your dentist!

We Owe Our Smiles To Our Dentists

You might think it’s silly to include your dentist on the list of things you’re thankful for, but we can give you a few great reasons why they should make the cut. Between their advice on how to take care of our teeth and their treatment of dental problems that arise, dentists do a lot to keep us healthy and happy.

Thanks to dentists, we know…

…the right way to brush our teeth. Brushing too little leads to plaque buildup, cavities and gum disease. Brushing too hard contributes to gum recession and strips away enamel. Thanks to our dentists, we know to brush twice a day for two minutes with soft-bristle brushes.
…how often to floss. When we don’t floss, plaque can build up between our teeth even when we brush the rest away from the outer surfaces. Daily flossing like the dentist tells us to keeps the in-between spaces just as clean as the rest!
…tricks for beating bad breath. While bad breath can have a variety of causes, good habits like daily brushing and flossing, making sure to clean our tongues, and breathing through our noses instead of our mouths can really help!
…how important dental check-ups are. One of the best things we can do to keep our teeth and gums healthy is to schedule twice-yearly dental visits. It’s always better (and cheaper) to catch dental problems early on than to suffer through the pain and have to get more intense treatment later on!
…what to eat (and avoid) to reduce tooth decay. Cutting down on sugary foods and drinks means giving less food to the bad bacteria in our mouths, which means our teeth and gums are healthier. We can replace them with fruits, vegetables, and sugar-free treats.

And As Your Winston-Salem Dentist, We’re Just As Thankful For Our Patients!

We love helping our patients in Winston-Salem keep their smiles healthy, which is why we love nothing better than getting to see you when you come in for your appointments. You make our days and our lives brighter! We hope to see your smiling faces again soon!

Make the end of this year wonderful!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Porcelain Veneers #1 Treatment in Cosmetic Dentistry

September 10, 2021/0 Comments/in Blog /by MSP SEO

A Patient’s Guide to Finding a Good Dentist in Winston-Salem

August 13, 2021/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by admin

dentist in winston-salem

PEOPLE IN WINSTON-SALEM might need to find a new dentist for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they just moved into the area. Maybe their old one retired. Maybe they’re new parents and need to find one for their child. Whatever the reason is, we recommend not waiting until an urgent dental health emergency pops up before finding a dental practice that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best dentist for you.

1. Location, Location, Location!

How close is the practice to your home? To your child’s school or where they play sports? To your workplace? Make sure the distance isn’t so great that making it to twice-yearly checkups will become a major inconvenience. It’s a good idea to decide on a radius that seems doable for you and your family, then determine who the best dentist is within that radius. On the other hand, there might be a practice slightly farther away who is still worth it for other reasons!

2. Reputation Matters

What kind of reviews does the practice have? What are their other patients saying about them? Check out the Yelp and Google reviews and maybe ask around your neighborhood, coworkers, and friend group to see if anyone you know is familiar with that particular Winston-Salem practice. While there can sometimes be hidden gems, a lot of good feedback is generally a positive sign.

3. What Specialties Can They Claim?

A dental practice that operates close to you and has fantastic reviews might still not be right for you if they don’t offer some of the services you think you’re likely to need. How good are they with child patients? Do they offer cosmetic treatments? How much experience do they have with root canal therapy or treating gum disease? Do some research into a dentist’s specialties to see if they’re a good fit.

4. How Well Do They Fit Your Budget?

Sometimes a practice’s only flaw is the cost of their services in comparison to your budget, or that they aren’t in your dental insurance network. It’s still important to find a Winston-Salem dentist for regular appointments in this case, because those checkups are much easier on a budget than a serious dental problem that could’ve been caught and treated cheaply in an early stage. Finding a budget-friendly dentist is an excellent investment, both financially and in terms of dental health.

5. Patient Comfort

If you aren’t comfortable around a dentist or within their practice, then the other factors might not matter much to you. It’s a good idea to pay a practice you’re considering an early visit just to get a sense of the place and the staff. A good dental practice will always prioritize patient comfort, especially considering how many patients struggle with dental anxiety!

Meanwhile, keep up those oral hygiene habits!

We Look Forward to Meeting You as Your Winston-Salem Dentist!

If you weren’t sure how to start looking for a great dentist in Winston-Salem before, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas of where to begin! If you want to learn more about our practice to see if we’re a good fit for you, just give us a call or stop by. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!

Thank you for trusting us with your dental health needs!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

Plan Ahead for the First Loose Tooth!

March 24, 2021/0 Comments/in Blog, Dental Posts, General Dental, Pediatric /by admin

A GREAT WAY to make the prospect of losing that first baby tooth less scary is to help kids see it as a rite of passage: losing baby teeth is a major part of being a big kid, just like learning to ride a bike and tie their own shoelaces. It’s a big, exciting step, and hopefully they’ll be able to see it that way with a little help.

What’s Your Strategy?

Any loose tooth game plan should include the actual strategy for helping the tooth come out. We would discourage parents from chasing their kids around with a pair of pliers, as that won’t be very fun for them. Encourage them to wiggle the tooth often with their tongue or a clean finger to help it along, and try not to force the issue if they’re still too nervous. It’s generally best to wait until the tooth is very loose.

Give Your Child an Active Role

When it comes to pulling the tooth out, there’s the old standby of tying some dental floss around a doorknob, but parents could also make it a little more unique by tying the floss to a Nerf dart, a toy arrow, or the dog’s collar. See which one the child likes best.

Don’t Forget to Celebrate!

Once the tooth is out, it’s time to celebrate! That could be as simple as waiting for the Tooth Fairy, but maybe a new toy or a trip to get ice cream would be more exciting. Including some kind of reward, even a small one, will help them have something to focus on besides the scary parts.