Dental Phobia

How many times have you heard someone say "I hate going the dentist"? People who are very fearful of dental care often experience a "cycle of avoidance", in which they avoid dental care until they experience a dental emergency requiring invasive treatment, which can reinforce their fear of dentistry. 75% of US adults experience some degree of dental fear, from mild to severe. Approximately 5 to 10% of US adults are considered to experience dental phobia to the degree they avoid dental care at all cost. Women tend to report more dental fear then men and younger people tend to report being more dentally fearful than older individuals. There are two categories of dental fear direct and indirect.

Direct experience is the most common. Most people will say that their dental fear began after they experienced a painful or difficult treatment.

Indirect experiences are when a person hears of some else's traumatic experiences and/or negativity towards dentistry. A person may also preceive a sense of helplessness and/or loss of control. Mass media and cartoons may also contribute to dental fears. Fear caused by indirect experiences become a self-fulfilling prophecy "you believe it therefore it is".

Signs of dental phobia:
     Trouble sleeping the night before the dental appointment.
     Feelings of nervousness that escalate while in the dental office waiting room.
     Crying or feeling physically ill at the thought of visiting the dentist.
     Intense uneasiness at the thought of, or actually when, objects are placed in your mouth during 
     dental treatment or suddenly feeling like it is difficult to breath.

To help our patients overcome either types of these fears:
     We take intraoral photos to help explain the need for treatment.
     Explain exactly what the procedure is and how it will be done.
     Make sure to administer local anesthetic slowly and pain free with the use of the DentalVibe.
     Provide dark glasses and music of your choice.
    Allow our patient to stop any time during a procedure to take a break or disuss any concerns.

Toothbrushes

Various excavation sites over the world have uncovered chew sticks, tree twigs, bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills used to clean teeth.

A recent archaeological dig has found that the earliest use of toothbrushes may have occurred in India and Africa. It was discovered that a bristle toothbrush had been used there as early as 1600 B.C

The first bristle toothbrush found was in China and used hog bristle.  The bristle toothbrush spread to Europe by travelers. Many mass-produced toothbrushes, made with horse or boar bristle, were imported to England from China until the mid-20th century.

A photo from 1899 showing the use of a toothbrush.

By 1840 toothbrushes were being mass-produced in England, France, Germany, and Japan. Pig bristle was used for cheaper toothbrushes, and badger hair for the more expensive ones.

Mass production in the United States only started in 1885. The rather advanced design had a bone handle with holes bored into it for boar hair bristles.

Animal bristles were replaced by synthetic fibers, usually nylon, in 1938.

The first electric toothbrush was invented in Switzerland in 1954.