Not many people look forward to visiting their dentist, but if your palms sweat and you feel sick to your stomach when you walk through the office door, you probably have dental anxiety. This is a common problem that affects many of Dr. Wynn Okuda's patients in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Okuda wants all of his patients to feel comfortable, so to help calm anxious nerves, he offers the Dental Day Spa Experience.

What is dental anxiety?

If you find yourself feeling stressed, nervous or even scared as a dental appointment approaches, you likely have dental anxiety. You're not alone: a survey conducted by the American Association of Endodontists found that 80% of Americans have some measure of dental anxiety, which may keep them from maintaining good dental health. In fact, the same survey determined that people with high levels of dental anxiety are more prone to gum disease and tooth loss.

What causes dental anxiety?

Dental anxiety can be linked to numerous things. Through consultations with patients, your Honolulu dentist has found that many people have had bad experiences in the past with outdated procedures or poor treatment from other dental professionals. Others have a fear of needles or are embarrassed by the condition of their teeth. Some patients don't have any personal experience to base their fear on, but taking "horror stories" from friends or family to heart might keep them out of the dental chair.

How does the dental day spa help?

Unlike most dental offices, Dr. Okuda has created a comfortable atmosphere. The office resembles a spa more than a dental clinic. It is designed to put you at ease before your dental appointment. He provides his patients with movies, and there’s always a massage therapist there to help ease your anxiety. So you’ll leave his office feeling relaxed and confident with your new smile.

Dr. Okuda and his staff here in Honolulu, HI, want to help you overcome your dental anxiety and keep your teeth looking great. Contact our office to learn more about how we can make your visits to the dentist much more comfortable!

Does this sound familiar? Are you living with a broken, sore tooth, and tell yourself you’ll call the dentist only when you can no longer tolerate the pain? Or have you told yourself you’ll make an appointment when work is less busy, but that was one year ago? Or do you become tense and anxious with the mere thought of stepping into a dental office? If you identify with these examples, fear (phobia) or dental anxiety may be affecting your ability to achieve optimal dental and overall health. It may also keep you from achieving your smile makeover.

Talk to Your Cosmetic Dentist if You Have Dental Fears

Before you start thinking negative thoughts, it is essential to keep in mind the positive aspects of your dental treatment. Sometimes when you step out of your comfort zone, it’s easy to want to totally avoid an uneasy situation. Every step you take towards your goal to better dental health will benefit you and your quality of life. In overcoming dental anxiety, be proud of every achievement you gain in pursuit of your goal.

Why is it that some people have strong phobias or anxieties and others do not? For many people, phobias are linked to childhood incidents. Children may experience a fearful situation, such as almost drowning, where their “fight-or-flight” survival responses are triggered. Fight or flight reactions occur when a rush of adrenaline causes rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, cold sweat and other symptoms.

Many children may “outgrow” these fears as they have more positive encounters with swimming. However, some may always associate the ocean with this survival panic. In addition, there are studies that suggest learned behavior from other family members and genetics may also contribute to enhancing a person’s phobias.

Why is it important for people with a fear of the dentist to not avoid treatment? Unfortunately, if there are dental problems, neglect and time will increase its severity, decrease treatment options, and be more expensive to fix later. If cavities are left untreated, the decay may continue deeper into the tooth, leading to possible root canals, infections or possibly even tooth loss. Furthermore, periodontitis or gum disease, can lead to tooth and/or bone loss if left untreated.

Your dental appointment is made up of many different sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and touch. For someone who is dental phobic, anxiety may heighten their sensitivity to these sensations. If the patient’s perception is that the situation is out of their control, the patient may have the desire to leave their appointment and not come back.

Some Suggestions to Help You Feel More Comfortable So You Can Get that Beautiful Smile

To avoid this unwanted outcome, be sure to talk to your dentist and his or her staff about your special needs. Take control of your dental appointment. If you don’t tell them about your concerns, they will assume you are comfortable during your appointment. If knowing what the dentist is doing makes you feel more at ease, let the dentist know. For example, talking you through a dental procedure may make your appointment much easier.

During the dental procedure, if you need a quick break, work out a code with the dentist, such as raising your hand. This way you won’t feel helpless once the dental procedure starts. Also, if you want to communicate during your appointment, but are unable to speak, ask for a paper and a pen at the beginning of your appointment. This way you will still be able to relay your immediate concerns.

Be aware of what contributes to your stress before your appointment and take the necessary steps to minimize it. (1) Avoid caffeine on the day of your appointment. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it may cause you to feel anxious and jittery. This may contribute to a stressful appointment. (2) Allow extra time to get to your appointment. No one enjoys rushing through traffic when running late. Rushing to your appointment will increase blood pressure, which will then increase your stress level. (3) Take something to do or read while you wait. This will let you make good use of your time, the way you choose to, instead of concentrating on waiting for the appointment.

Everyone is unique. Something in the dentist’s office may bother one person, and totally not concern another. So take a moment before your appointment and ask yourself: What part of your dental appointments really bothers you? If it is the sound of the drill, bring ear plugs or a Walkman radio/tape player to your appointment to help drown it out. If it is the anesthesia shot that bothers you, remember that today dentists are knowledgeable of methods to administer “pain-free” shots. Many times a “topical” anesthesia is placed at the injection site using a cotton swab prior to the shot being given. If you don’t like to see the needle, make you sure tell the dentist!

Establishing good rapport with your dental professionals will assure that you not only receive timely dental treatment, but also do so in comfort. Don’t worry about what others will think about your special needs. You should feel proud of yourself for taking steps toward your goals of optimal dental health. Be proud of taking risks, challenging yourself, and achieving goals. Because in the end, you and your health are truly the ones that will benefit.

Dr. Wynn Okuda is an award winning international leader in cosmetic dentistry. He is one of only 280 dentists in the world to be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Dr. Okuda turned the dental profession on its head nearly a decade ago, replacing pain, fear, & discomfort with the Dental Day Spa system. His offices for cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry are located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dr. Okuda has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, American Spa, Shape Magazine, Better Homes & Garden, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, New Woman, and dozens more!

Dr. Okuda is the founder of “Give Back A Smile,” a charitable foundation of the AACD which helps survivors of domestic violence throughout the nation to restore their smiles and lives. He has assembled nearly 1,000 cosmetic dentists nationwide to help fight against domestic violence.

Imagine walking through elegant French doors to find Impressionistic oil paintings, soothing music, calming colors, neo-Victorian design, open spaces, relaxing smells, beautiful floral arrangements, healing massages, an intriguing skydome, a quenching refreshment center, and entertaining movies.

If you had to guess, where would you say you were? A resort? An art gallery? A spa? How about a dental office? What?…how can that be?

Introducing the Dental Day Spa

You probably never thought you’d hear “Dental” and “Spa” in the same sentence unless it was, “I’d rather be at a spa than be at a dental appointment.” But that’s the past. Welcome to the 21st Century, where the spa IS the dental office, and where the boundaries of a spa and dental appointment become blurred.

I would like to hope the Dental Day Spa concept will be the future of dentistry. Having been a child who feared and hated dental appointments, I’ve always pursued solutions throughout my dental career that would make visits to the dentist more comfortable and relaxing. I already knew how things such as building trust, having a good relationship and providing effective communication formed the foundation of a great dental appointment for anxious patients. The next step was to bring together a superior product and Five-Star Service. But I suspected there was more that could be done.

It was while my dental practice was located in a previous office that I became aware of and researched the effects of environment and design on the anxious dental patient. I learned that such aspects as open spaces or wider corridors allowed people to feel at ease, although it may be subconscious to them. In contrast, narrow hallways and tighter spaces may lead to feelings of claustrophobia, being threatened or trapped. In addition, sounds such as falling water or soothing music have a calming effect. Color and pleasing sights also contribute to overall positive emotions. With the assistance of talented and experienced local architect Stan Hesse, the blending of high design and functionality resulted in the innovative Dental Day Spa.

Beautiful Smile Created in Beautiful Surroundings

If a dental office were created that didn’t look like a dental office, perhaps it could help to trick your mind that you were at a spa or resort and not seeing the dentist. The calming atmosphere would create a unique experience that was pleasing to the senses.

I took this concept even further by offering pampering services, such as full body massages and reflexology, which are definitely new to the dental office. The concept of melding product or service with atmosphere and emotion is not new. Starbucks is a prime example of this. Starbucks started in Seattle, Washington as a small coffee shop and retail outlet. It took an outsider who was inspired by coffee shops in Italy to marry a cup of coffee with conversation, comfort and community. The owners didn’t want to change their original idea. But progressive thinking prevailed, and now no matter where you go in the world, even in Japan, Singapore, and the Austin Powers movies, Starbucks is there bringing people together with regular, decaf or anyway you want it.

Why some people have phobias is usually a result of many factors, such as childhood experiences, reinforcement of fear by parents and the media, and ongoing experiences they feel are insensitive to their needs. Certain phobias, like the fear of heights or spiders, can be voluntarily avoided throughout one’s lifetime. But voluntarily avoiding dental care can lead to unfortunate consequences.

Keep Your Beautiful Smile by Keeping Your Dental Appointments

There are quite a few patients that completely avoid dental care because of fear and extreme anxiety. With environments and services changing to meet their concerns, they now have fewer reasons to avoid the dentist. They can finally find a dental office where they can feel comfortable and at home.

The main goal of helping people to have more comfortable, positive dental appointments is to assure optimal dental health for them now and through the years. If someone feels at ease about visiting the dental office, they will be more likely to stay current on their dental cleanings, examinations, and treatment. This is essential, as it is at these timely, regular visits that preventive measures for conditions such as gum disease (periodontitis)  can be taken, and concerns addressed early. The number one cause of tooth loss in older adults is advanced periodontitis, so staying up-to-date with preventive appointments will help keep teeth and smiles healthy for a lifetime.

Dr. Wynn Okuda is an award winning international leader in cosmetic dentistry. He is one of only 280 dentists in the world to be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Dr. Okuda turned the dental profession on its head nearly a decade ago, replacing pain, fear, & discomfort with the Dental Day Spa system. His offices for cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry are located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dr. Okuda has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, American Spa, Shape Magazine, Better Homes & Garden, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, New Woman, and dozens more!

Dr. Okuda is the founder of “Give Back A Smile,” a charitable foundation of the AACD which helps survivors of domestic violence throughout the nation to restore their smiles and lives. He has assembled nearly 1,000 cosmetic dentists nationwide to help fight against domestic violence.

There is a situation that some people choose to ignore, and have done so for many years. It’s the “neglected” smile. There are some people who have not seen a dentist for 5, 10, 15 or more years. I know many of you (in jest) are wishing you could say the same, however the serious reality is that professional and personal dental neglect is extremely detrimental to your oral health.  But you can still have a beautiful smile!

There are many reasons why a smile may have been neglected. It could be as simple as that your dentist retired and another one wasn’t found yet. Or maybe as complex as deep-seated dental fears and anxiety that makes going to the dentist the absolute, and I mean absolute, last priority. Or perhaps there are other urgent things going on, such as major health issues or taking care of a loved one. Regardless of the reason, after years of not seeing a dental professional, it may be very difficult to take steps to start seeing the dentist again.

Remake Your Neglected Smile – You Can Have a Wonderful, Bright Smile

So if you are someone who hasn’t been to the dentist in a very long time, keep in mind that your oral health is always in your hands. Whether the last time you saw a dentist was six months or six years ago, it does no good to just spend time fretting about the unfortunate state of your teeth. The main thing to focus on is what you’re going to do today to get your smile back in shape. Once you make the decision to have dental health become a priority, you have overcome the biggest obstacle.

If you do not visit the dentist and hygienist regularly for examinations and cleanings, you have a greater chance of losing teeth to periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease still remains the major cause of adult tooth loss and affects about 75% of Americans throughout their lifetime. Periodontal disease is a “silent disease” as its warning signs may be subtle. With gum disease when you first feel discomfort or pain it may already be too late to save your teeth. It starts with plaque, which is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If not removed thoroughly each day by your brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar or calculus, which irritates the gums and will eventually lead to irreversible damage to the gums and underlying bone.

In addition to being at risk for periodontal disease, people who don’t regularly visit the dentist are more likely to develop advanced tooth decay. When a cavity first forms, it affects only the enamel or hardest surface of the tooth. If the decay is treated and repaired with a restoration, it will help to stop further damage to the tooth from that entry point. However, left untreated, bacteria would continue to feed on the tooth, which may damage the tooth pulp. Once there is exposure of the pulp, which houses the nerves, the tooth can be saved only through root canal therapy and an extensive tooth restorative procedure. Furthermore, by not visiting the dentist regularly, other essential examinations cannot be performed, such as an oral cancer screening.

There are many other negative aspects of having neglected teeth. Patients who finally decide to seek dental treatment tell me that their neglected smile affected their social life and professional life. They claim their visibly damaged smile forced them to not smile or not say anything to avoid embarrassment and attention to their teeth. They talk about settling to live with pain, discomfort and sensitivity. Also they would limit what they ate to softer foods, because of the discomfort of chewing.

The positives of curing the neglected smile are numerous. Starting to take steps towards a healthy smile today means increasing the chances of saving as many teeth as possible. Beyond that, patients who have undergone extensive cosmetic and restorative dental procedures not only say they regained their self-confidence socially, they feel they are able to dynamically do better professionally. All of these people also mention they regret not fixing their smile long ago.

Overcome Fear by Taking in the Dental Day Spa

So start now – there’s no reason to wait any longer. It’s time to start over on the road to optimal dental health. If you need to find a dentist, start by talking to family, friends and co-workers about their dentists. Think about what you want from a dentist and match it to the needs of those you’re talking with. For example, if it’s dental anxiety that keeps you away from the dentist, keep in mind that new approaches such as massage therapy and other spa pamperings help to counteract a lot of the problems of dental fear. Remember, if someone says they also haven’t been to a dentist in years, that’s not justification for you to stop your pursuit of good dental health. Keep on asking around.

When you do go to your first appointment, take a friend or family member if it gives you assurance, or would help you to make sure you go to the appointment. You should be able to tell the dental staff your concerns about dental treatment. If they don’t know, they can’t take measures to address them or make you feel more relaxed.

It’s never easy to leave your comfort zone, regardless of where that zone is. To take that first step, you have to make a decision that this is what’s important for you. Only then can you continue on your path, step by step, to a healthier smile!

Dr. Wynn Okuda is an award winning international leader in cosmetic dentistry. He is one of only 280 dentists in the world to be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Dr. Okuda turned the dental profession on its head nearly a decade ago , replacing pain, fear, & discomfort with the Dental Day Spa system. His offices for cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry are located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dr. Okuda has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, American Spa, Shape Magazine, Better Homes & Garden, Health & Fitness Sports Magazine, New Woman, and dozens more!

Dr. Okuda is the founder of “Give Back A Smile,” a charitable foundation of the AACD, which helps survivors of domestic violence throughout the nation to restore their smiles and lives. He has assembled nearly 1,000 cosmetic dentists nationwide to help fight against domestic violence.