be Well: How to Get Over Your Fear of the Dentist

While many people don't look forward to dentist visits, maintaining oral hygiene is one of the most important steps in practicing good self-health. Poor dental hygiene has been linked to complications like heart disease , diabetes and Alzheimer's. Dr. Marina Gonchar, owner of Skin to Smile, joined Cheddar News to help people get over their fear of the dentist.

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We gotta talk about the dentist. Our dental health can play a major role really in our overall health. I think I'm already sweating but it is safe to say, you know, a lot of people just don't enjoy going to the dentist. Shannon. You know, that's so true. You know, I sat down with doctor owner of skin to smile to find out why we all should be going to the dentist regularly even if some of us are afraid. So we got some tips for you and your kids. So, Doctor Marina, can you start off telling us a little bit more about how our dental hygiene affects our overall health of our body? Yeah, that's a great question. So a lot of people don't realize, but a lot of major systemic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even Alzheimer's is affected by your oral health. So patients that suffer from periodontal conditions have increased bacterial loads. And those same bacteria that is found in the oral cavity are also found in the same diseases that we just discussed. Wow, that's scary. I had no idea. But you know, we, we know we should go to the dentist at least two times a year. But a lot of kids are, are afraid, even adults sometimes are afraid to go to the dentist. So what advice do you have for people to take that anxiety out of going to the dentist? So, for kids, the best thing you could do is something called show tell do so for parents before you even go to the dentist, show them what's gonna happen, tell them what's gonna happen and prepare them for adults. The best thing to do is bring some tunes that you're into to calm you down. But the most important thing is don't skip your visits because if there's a problem, it can remain small. You could fix it fast. If you skip your visits because of your anxiety, the problem will only get bigger and then the appointment will be more stressful for you. Thank you, Doctor Marin and we appreciate all your time and great advice. Remember everyone brush your teeth. Ok. So those are some good tips because a lot of people think it's just kids that are afraid, but 70% of adults are afraid to go to the dentist. That's huge. I'm, I'm, I'm not, I'm not so afraid, you know, I actually locked myself in a closet one time. I freaked out so bad and I thought it was the exit and I walked in and it was a closet and then they knocked on the door and they were like, do you know, you're in the closet now. You have to say yes. Yeah. No, it's, I don't know why. I just feel like I'm drowning for some reason when I get there I get, like, really overwhelmed and we'll work through that. Ok? You'll come hold my hand.