I Need To Go To A Dentist In Philadelphia, But I’m Nervous - Now What?

Learn how to conquer your fears and develop a healthier you.

Have you ever uttered the (sometimes dreaded) phrase, “I need to go to the dentist”?

Just the mention of these words makes some people tremble to the very core of their being. There are never-ending reasons you may use to never visit the dentist, but by making Penn Dental Family Practice your choice dentist in Philadelphia, we can help you conquer those obstacles!

It’s Not An Excuse, It’s A Reason

We have all heard this phrase in our lives at one point or another.
“You need to do the dishes.”
“But I’m too busy right now!”
“Is that your excuse?”
“It’s NOT an excuse, it’s a reason!”

Let’s avoid these argument by breaking down the 4 br reasons why most people choose to avoid the dentist. We can keep you informed on a solution for these commonly used excuses.

Reason #1: Fear.

A very common misconception of going to the dentist means that you will be in pain. A visit to your dentist in Philadelphia is nothing like your nightmares probably suggest. We encourage you to realize that we are living in a new era. Many dental offices are consistent in attending Continuing Education courses (ADA), learning new techniques and innovative ways to make your visit as comfortable as possible, with a PAIN-FREE goal in mind.

Interestingly enough, while there are still a number of people who avoid the dentist, there are a large amount of people who trust their dentist over their own doctor! A study done in 2012 shows that 88% of people that were surveyed trust their dentist (Dentistry Today).

How do you trust your dentist? Develop a relationship with them. Form a trust between the two of you, and be honest about your hesitations and fears. Once you make your fears known, your dentist will be able to better help you in achieving great oral health.

Reason #2: Apathy.

What’s so bad about apathy?

Apathy means lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern. This, my friend, is a recipe for disaster.

When you lack interest over a need, you may end up with more than you bargained for.

Take into consideration the health risks that factor into delaying the maintenance of your oral hygiene, or the pain that will ultimately be self-inflicted because of how you’ve neglected your teeth.

Please understand that as your dentist in Philadelphia, we are here to help put you on a path to better health, not just a squeaky-clean smile. We will talk more later about how the health of your smile is ultimately connected to your heart.

Reason #3: Busy, Busy, Busy.

So you might be a single parent, juggling a full-time job with 3 kids who all have extra-curricular activities; or perhaps you’re on the road for work, flying to multiple cities every week to make sales presentations to your clients. No matter the reason, there will always be one when you don’t learn to make your oral health a priority.

Let’s face it, if you don’t have time for it now – you probably never will. So, let’s make time. Choose one of our offices that will meet your availability. With our new and extended weekend hours, we are committed to meeting the needs of your busy schedule. If this does not seem to be possible, take advantage of taking time off work. Perhaps you can use your PTO days, and get projects done around the house on the same days that you make dental appointments.

The bottom line is that we all must learn to take time out for us. This is something that must be learned, not expected overnight.

Reason #4: No Insurance + No Money = No Dentist.

This is a very common reason why many people are unable to visit the dentist. With the cost of living on the rise, it’s hard to afford just about anything. What if we told you there are options if you are unable to acquire quality dental insurance and you are on a strict budget?

Many dentists in Philadelphia offer financing through their office, either directly with the dentist or through a 3rd party such as CareCredit, Visa, Mastercard and more.

Penn Dental Family Practice can assist in a variety of ways such as convenient monthly payment plans that can fit any budget. We even offer payment plans that work much like a layaway plan!

To learn more about our plans, visit any of our offices and ask to speak with a financial coordinator.

So, Why Is It So Important That You Go To The Dentist?

One of the most important aspects of dentistry is preventive care. Any dentist in Philadelphia cannot stress enough the implications it can have on your entire body.

What happens when you neglect your teeth and gums? Typically, a dentist may recommend that you be seen every 6 months for a routine cleaning and check-up. If you are faithful in fulfilling this commitment, you are more than likely able to sport a healthy smile, with good periodontal health (or, healthy gum tissue).

With good periodontal health, you are lowering your risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart attack and many more chronic illnesses. In fact, more than 40% of those with gum disease have a chronic illness.

Take for example, diabetes. If you or someone you know has diabetes, it is important that you maintain a routine cleaning with your hygienist as soon as every 3 months. The reason is because if you have periodontal disease (an active infection in your gum tissue), the inflammation in your gums is impairing your body’s ability to utilize insulin.

That’s not all. Not only does your mouth have an effect on your diabetes, your diabetes has an effect on your mouth! When you have high blood sugar, this encourages infection to grow. If you can manage your diabetes, you can manage your gum tissue. And if you can manage your gum tissue, you can manage your body as well.

Due to the inflammation of the gum tissue, researchers believe that not only is periodontal disease linked to diabetes, it is also linked to heart disease (Perio.org). The inflammation in your mouth may also affect the inflammation in your blood vessels throughout your body. If you experience inflamed blood vessels, it is harder for blood to travel through, reducing the amount of blood your heart needs, raising your blood pressure which may result in cardiac arrest.

Be Informed.

If you do have a history of diabetes or a heart condition, please contact your primary care physician and ask if you need to take any type of antibiotic before seeing your dentist.

Don’t Procrastinate.

Treating dental conditions can be vital to the function of your daily life. If you choose to procrastinate and wait until your tooth begins to ache, you’ve waited way too long. When left untreated, most people experience tooth pain, difficulty eating or talking and possibly develop infections caused by tooth decay that has grown deep into the root.

When you receive your routine cleaning and exam, be sure to take seriously your dentists recommendations for treatment as to the decay that may be found in your mouth.

Keep in mind that the sooner you treat tooth decay, the less expensive it will be as well. The longer you wait to treat it, the more it will spread, causing a greater risk of infection and a more involved procedure to take control of the decay.

Don’t wait any longer to get started on healthier gum tissue. Your smile is the window to your overall health, so keep it clean by taking preventive measures.

We hope that you are informed of the possible dangers of neglecting the care of your teeth. What challenges do you face? Are you ready to take your health to the next level? We are here to help.

No matter the obstacle, we here at Penn Dental Family Practice are advocates for you and your smile. As your choice dentist in Philadelphia, with your concerns as our priority, you can rest assured you will feel confident with us as your dentist. Give us a call at one of our two convenient locations, and begin your journey to a healthy smile and a healthy heart, today!