When you brush your teeth, do you notice a red stain on your toothbrush? If so, you’re bleeding from your gums. You may have gingivitis, or gum disease. It can cause serious complications if left untreated.
We’ve recently spent some time surfing the Internet. Turns out, not every patient looks forward to their dental appointments.
The level of discomfort that patients experience when imagining a trip to the dentist varies from slightly worried, to mildly anxious, to being frightened to the point of paralysis.
We classify phobia, of any type, as an intense, unreasonable fear. It’s estimated that between nine and 15 percent of Americans don’t go to the dentist due to their anxiety or fear. That’s literally 30 to 40 million people who’ll deal with gum (periodontal) disease, tooth and mouth pain, broken and cracked teeth, or unsightly teeth.
Options exist for those patients who want to overcome this fear. They may want to consider oral conscious or IV sedation or nitrous oxide (more commonly referred to as laughing gas).
Of course, there are patients who might be avoiding us not as a result of crippling fear. And, it turns out, these patients will come up with some pretty creative excuses for not coming in.
Here’s a list of the most astounding excuses we’ve heard for canceling your dentist appointment.
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