Ralph S. Reilly, DMD

YES! A distinction has been made between dental anxiety, dental fear, and dental phobia.

DENTAL ANXIETY is a reaction to an UNKNOWN danger. Anxiety is extremely common, and most people experience some degree of dental anxiety especially if they’re about to have something done which they’ve never experienced before. Basically, it’s a fear of the unknown.

DENTAL FEAR is a reaction to a known danger (”I know what the dentist is going to do, been there, done that - I’m scared!!”), which involves a fight-or-flight response when confronted with the threatening stimulus.

DENTAL PHOBIA is basically the same as fear, only much stronger (”I know what happens when I go to the dentist - there’s no way I’m going back if I can help it. I’m so terrified I feel sick”). Also, the fight-or-flight response occurs when just thinking about or being reminded of the situation.

Someone with a dental phobia will avoid dental care at all costs until either a physical problem or the psychological burden of the phobia becomes overwhelming.

How is dental phobia measured?

There are various instruments for researchers which attempt to measure the degree of the fear, such as the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).  However, if you suffer from dental phobia, whatever your score it really doesn’t matter - any anxiety, fear, or phobia is real and needs to be treated uniquely in a caring and compassionate way.

ASK yourself the following question: “Am I terrified of dentists and avoid them at all costs?” If the answer is yes, this is a good indicator of dental phobia! Even seemingly innocuous reminders of anything dental-related may produce a panic-attack if you suffer from dental phobia, such as people talking about dentists or teeth, toothpaste commercials, or “dental words”. One problem with defining dental phobia is that “dental anxiety” (a reaction to an unknown danger) may feel just as frightening as a “phobia” to a person, and they may well be defined (or define themselves) as phobic.

From what little research there is available, this may be more common in people who are generally anxious. Also, some people who’ve never had a bad experience with a dentist or a dental procedure can develop dental fear or phobia - this is usually the result of vicarious learning (that is, scare-stories or media portrayal).

“Dental phobia” is simply useful short-hand for “terror at the thought of dentists and/or dentistry and/or anything dental-related”. Some people feel that their fear is justified and rational, while others feel they’re being silly for getting so upset over something which “everyone else” seems to have no problem with.

“Dental Phobia” is really an umbrella term which covers a wide range of different fears.

No matter if you suffer from anxiety or fear or phobia - Dr. Reilly is caring, compassionate, and specially trained to help you. Please call our office today 732.356.9120 to learn more about how the Advanced Dentistry team can help you start overcoming your phobias and fears today.

Most people with a dental phobia, the fear is tied up within the dentist-patient relationship. We would like to hear your thoughts on the following topics. Many times dental phobic or dental anxious patients can find comfort in knowing they are not alone - although they may feel that way until they meet or hear of someone experiencing the same things they do when faced with a visit to the dentist.

In two years, the energy drink boom will have reached $10 billion. Energy drinks include those rather pricey caffeine and sugar crazy colas that everyone is drinking in mass quantities these days. Teens, twenty somethings, thirty somethings even grandmothers and grandfathers are consuming these beverages in extremely high volumes, however, teens, and young adults are the group hit hardest because they are the primary market for energy drinks. These drinks can be found in virtually every convenience store, in vending machines in malls and schools - ready for quick consumption. Many teens and young adults consider energy drinks to be cool - they get a quick burst of energy from the sugar rush and experience an almost euphoric feeling before the “sugar-crash”, which many times prompts them to consume another - creating an unending cycle of consumption.

Like acidic sodas of the past, recent studies show that energy drinks erode tooth enamel, which concerns oral health experts.  The best remedy to combat the ill effects of these drinks is to stay away from them or limit intake to minimal amounts very infrequently. For folks who just can’t give up their energy drink fix, here are a few tips from the AGD to help reduce the potential for tooth enamel erosion:

Drink with a straw positioned at the back of the mouth so teeth don’t come in contact with the beverage.

Rinse your mouth with water after an energy drink.

IF you are consumer of energy drinks be sure to see your dentist regularly. To learn more or to schedule a complimentary evaluation (valued at $120) to see if your energy drink consumption is distressing your smile - call Dr. Ralph Reilly at 732.356.9120

Did you know there are two main dental diseases?

Caries (cavaties or decay) and Periodontal disease.

There are many factors that may increase your risk for these diseases - are you aware of what they are?  Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases affecting adults and children in the US today second only to the common cold. 

Questions to ask yourself? Keep track of your points

Do you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride? If NO 2 points

Do you drink beverages that contain sugar or do you add sugar to drinks such as coffee or tea more than three times a day? If YES, 2 points

Have you had more than two new cavities in the last three years? If YES, 2 points

Do you snack on candy or other sugary foods more than twice a day? If YES, 2 points

Have you lost a tooth in the last three years due to decay? If YES, 2 points

Do you brush your teeth less than twice a day? If YES, 1 point

Does the water you drink and cook with contain fluoride? If NO, 1 point

Do you have your teeth cleaned at least once a year by a dentist or a dental hygienist? If NO, 1 point

Do you take any medicine that makes your mouth dry or is your mouth dry as a result of radiation therapy or some other condition? If YES, 1 point

Do you clean between your teeth with dental floss or an interproximal brush at least once a day? If NO, 1 point

Is it uncomfortable to brush areas where your gums have receded? If YES, 1 poin

If your score is 5 points or more you may be at higher risk for tooth decay.  See your dentist today and discuss how you can lower your risk for decay or call Dr. Ralph Reilly 732.356.9120 to learn more or if you are in need of happy dental home.

According to a new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital an estimated 132,000 high school baseball-related injuries occurred with an injury rate of more than one per 1,000 athletic exposures. 

The study cited, being hit by a batted ball is one of the more common mechanisms of baseball-related injuries and one of the most serious. More than half of the injuries that occurred as a result of being hit by a batted ball were to the head/face and teeth and 40 percent resulted in fractures, lacerations or concussions. When compared to other injuries, injured players struck by a batted ball were more than twice as likely to require surgery. The study also found pitchers are not the only players at risk. Half of the injuries attributed to being hit by a batted ball were sustained during fielding.

“Based on our findings regarding the risk of sustaining an injury when hit by a batted ball, we strongly recommend helmets with face shields or at least mouth guards and eye protection be used by all pitchers, infielders and batters at the high school level,” explained the study’s lead author Christy Collins, MA, research associate in CIRP of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

If your child participates in an organized sport make sure their smile is protected - make sure they wear a mouthguard.

This important information was brought to you by Ralph Reilly, to learn more about preventing dental injury contact the team at Advanced Dentistry  732.356.9120.

As early as 2001 USA today noted that dentists were using spa therapies to promote patient relaxation. Dr Reilly’s office has been providing these types of services since 1995 - his office has always been considered “ahead of the curve”.

Does your dentist’s office seem more like a spa than the offices you remember as a child? This is not merely luck! Dentists today understand patient comfort more than ever before  - and they also know that offering luxurious treatments and comforting amenities like paraffin hand dips, heated towels, espresso and lattes in the office create value that is more appreciated by patients than which dental school they graduated from.

Comfort and convenience are key in creating happy life-long patients - Dr. Ralph Reilly and team are committed to your comfort. If you are interested in learning more about the home-like atmosphere of his office call today 732.356.9120

Would you take advice from a cab driver about whether you should take a new house?  Would you consult with a landscape architect about an accounting issue? Would you take advice from a schoolteacher about complex legal contracts? The obvious answer is no.  They are not qualified to give you such a level of advice.  You would seek out qualified experts whose opinions are borne out from training, expertise and experience in treating tough problems.

           Yet many patients will seek the advice of family and friends regarding their dental care.  While it is ‘normal’ to seek input from friends and family on big decisions, you need to understand the mindset and situation of these family and friends who do not have your problems nor do they know how it feels to have them either.

·        They haven’t felt the pain you’ve had.

·        They haven’t suffered like you have.

·        They haven’t experienced the embarrassment of not being able to smile and laugh when you want to.

·        They haven’t had the experience of not ordering what you want from the menu because you can’t chew it.

 It is very hard to fully grasp the importance of your problems when they have never had anything like them. They only see your problems through their eyes and experiences.  They have a whole different value for dental care when their problems are minor.  How can anyone appreciate the value of a solution for anything when he doesn’t have the problem?  The answer is he cannot.Look, everyone wants to feel good about the decisions they make – especially big decisions.

The mistake that is made is seeking confirmation from those around you who are not qualified to comment.  Sure, they are qualified as friends and family.  Yes, they do care about you.  But, you can suffer significant harm by listening to those who are not qualified to judge. They don’t have the training, expertise and experience in treating significant, major dental problems everyday.

Giving advice to someone when one is not an expert is similar to the Holiday Inn Express commercial. In these commercials, ordinary people are thrust into serious life events.  In one episode, one guy was piloting a helicopter with passengers.  When one passenger asked for his qualifications, he chirps up with, “Oh, I’m not a helicopter pilot, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.” It is funny on television.

 It is definitely not in real life. 

Everyone makes judgments based on what they know.  Only dental professionals trained in handling big dental problems and challenging cases are qualified.  (Frankly, only a small percentage of dentists are trained and experienced in handling major dental cases.) 

 Friends and family make these judgments based on their experiences and their prior problems.  Very seldom, do they “get”, understand, and relate to the depths of the problems you have.  It is just not part of their world. You can see these folks are not qualified to advise.

Who is qualified to advise? 

• Someone who has had big problems like yours and experienced the life changing solutions like many of our patients.  Take assurances from our patients’ words and success stories.

• Other dentists who recommend our services.  What better judge than other experts?!  Read the recommendations of other dentists trained in handling big problems that recommend Dr. Reilly

• Dental staff that have the experience in working with challenging cases like yours – who know enough to know who is good.  (This is similar to asking an operating room nurse what surgeon is good.  They can tell you.)

• The dentist who has been trained in comprehensive care and recommended the services so you get the smile you want and healthy teeth for life.  Dr. Reilly has been trained to diagnosis and delivers this level of care. He has spent the better part of his adult life doing this kind of work. He is passionate about doing it well.

The questions you should ask yourself are: ü        Do you like him? ü        Does he have the qualifications to do this kind of work?ü        What do other patients say about him?ü        Do other dentists recommend him?ü        Do you trust him?ü        Does your plan of care make sense to you?ü        Has he proven what he can do with before and after pictures?ü        What does your gut say?

Beware the Little Voices 

Virtually everyone experiences little voices that cast doubts and create indecision about our major moments of truth.

 It is normal and meant to prevent you from making hasty, ill-advised decisions. 

Then again, this decision is not hasty.  You have been considering your problem for quite awhile and know you need to do something. 

 Wouldn’t it make sense to decide to operate in your own best interest and follow through with the decision? This decision is well-advised.  You have had a thorough explanation, a review of findings, pictures you can see and a simulated result of your smile afterwards.  We have answered your questions and explained all the reasons why.  If the answers to your problems make sense and you understand them, you are well advised. Cast aside those pesky little voices now.  You have the information, assurances, and warranties you need to be your own wise counsel.  Ultimately, you will live with your decision.  You are the only one who should decide.  We are here to help to answer questions, to guide you to the decision for the smile you want and to get healthy teeth for life. What do friends, family and loved ones do when asked for their opinion?  They give you one based on what they know.  They know their own dental problems, experiences and what they have paid in fees.  They have their own situations.  They see and speak from what they know and understand.  With little or no understanding, the human mind rejects and cast doubts.  Expect that from friends and family when asked – this includes children, aunts, uncles, long time friends, anyone. One older patient had a stockbroker (!) advise him against making the investment in fixing his smile and making the smile he always wanted.  The long time stockbroker was his friend, but had no qualifications on advising my patient in matters of his smile and oral health.  When I pointed out the obvious lack of credentials and experience in having my patient’s level of problem or knowing the long term, serious, life enhancing effects of the patient’s decision (or the life reducing negative decision), the patient laughed and agreed with me.
            That patient had his smile makeover done and is smiling today because of it.  See there’s more to this story.  My patient, John, many months later, was diagnosed with serious cancer.  He lived through the treatment.  He confided in me, “I know that if I hadn’t had my teeth fixed, I wouldn’t be here today.  I was able to eat and smile and function at a level that helped keep me alive.”  I gave him a hug. You can see why we are so passionate about the work we do. Another patient, I’ll call Kathy, discovered the truth of this, too.  She was widowed with no children, but very close nieces and nephews were adamantly opposed to here getting her teeth done.  She couldn’t understand why at first. Then it dawned on her, she found the reasons why.  She told me it was all about the money they wanted her to leave to them. Kathy chose to laugh it off, understandingly.  Today she is the proud owner of a big, bright, beautiful smile.  She told us that she wishes she had it done twenty years ago. 

The people who really love you want to see you do well, live long and live well.  They support all decisions that help you look your best, live a better quality of life and live longer.  They like having you around.  Getting your teeth into optimal health, regaining an ability to chew well and having a great smile are all part of the equation that leads to a better, longer life.