146 JULY 2019
TALKING TEETH
Dental specialists in Singapore answer seven
of our readers’ top tooth-related questions.#1
“What does it mean if my
child’s tooth is turning
darker?”
“A primary or baby tooth will often turn dark if
a child has had an injury,” explains DR DIANNE
SAINSBURY of Smilefocus. “With milder knocks
to baby teeth, the tooth may heal normally without
any discolouration. If the tooth becomes displaced
or loose after injury, there is a greater chance that
the tooth will turn dark a few weeks later.”
So, will the tooth return to its natural
colour? Primary teeth often do lighten, says Dr
Sainsbury, though it may take a few months
following the injury.
“The discolouration can resolve itself without
treatment if there has been mild trauma to the
tooth. Sometimes the tooth may remain slightly
darker than its original colour or, in the case of
more severe injuries, it may not lighten at all.”
If the tooth doesn’t lighten, it’s important
to have it evaluated by a dentist, says Dr
Sainsbury. An examination of the baby tooth and
surrounding structures is necessary, as well as an
X-ray if possible, to determine if there are any
signs of infection or damage to the underlying
adult teeth.
“If there is no infection or damage, the tooth
can be monitored closely. Often in such cases,
the discoloured baby teeth may not require any
further treatment and the tooth can be allowed
to exfoliate naturally,” she says. “In cases where
the baby tooth does not heal well and develops
an abscess or gum swelling, your dentist may
recommend antibiotics and root canal therapy
to remove the abscess and infection tissue, or
possibly the removal of the baby tooth.”#2
“What’s the best way to deal with a fear
of going to the dentist?”
“Many people have some level of anxiety when they visit the dentist, but
extreme dental anxiety, or phobia, is less common,” says DR JONATHAN
LUKE, dentist at Smilefocus. Severe anxiety can mean anything from
tears to trembling, to “panic just in walking through the door!”
Anyone can suffer from this. “There’s no ‘one type’ of person,” says
Dr Luke. “Often, the fear stems from experiences in early childhood,
but this isn’t always the case; it can take just one bad experience at
any age. Children can often pick up on their parents’ anxiety to the
dentist, so overcoming your own fear can help theirs.”
Fear of the dentist can be a major barrier to getting regular check-ups, he
adds. Instead of visiting regularly for routine preventive care, the anxious
patient will often wait until a small, preventable problem has become so
painful that it can no longer be ignored, making his or her fear even worse.
Good home habits, regular check-ups and hygiene visits not only
help minimise the need for treatment but can also help reduce anxiety
by creating a familiarity to going to the dentist. “Most importantly,”
says Dr Luke, “find a good dentist – one who is patient, communicates
well the various options and recommendations available to you, and
has a no-pressure approach.” Here are suggestions for keeping dental
visits as comfortable as possible:- Let the person on the phone know that you’re a nervous patient
when scheduling the appointment. Schedule your appointment at
a time when you are not otherwise under stress. - Bring a friend or family member for support, and arrive early so
you’re not under time pressure. - Take the time to discuss your anxieties with your dentist.
- Ask about relaxation techniques used in the clinic such as nitrous
oxide (laughing gas). - Distract yourself with the television in the treatment room and
request headphones if the noise of the drill is unsettling.
Smilefocus
#08-02 & #14-02 Camden Medical Centre
1 Orchard Boulevard | 6733 9882 | smilefocus.com.sg