Among the most talked about generation this century is the millennials, or Gen Y, mainly because they’re known to adapt effortlessly to various unfolding technologies as the digital world renders millions of slower humans obsolete. Unfortunately, millennials are yet to get around to enjoying doctor’s visits, least of all dentist appointments. Here are three tips for millennials to overcome dental anxiety.
1. Arrest the Decay Before It Attacks
As part of the millennial army, your overall wellness matters, especially because your generation values health. They’re not the type to overwork, but they’ll nonetheless deliver on their targets. Though a quarter of the adult population doesn’t brush two times daily as recommended, you, the millennial, should stand out.
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and evening after meals. As 25% of adults overlook the importance of brushing, their chances of developing tooth decay increase by 33%. Such neglect means you’ll likely experience painful gums and teeth when eating. Holes inside your teeth can make the pain extend to the jaw, making life difficult. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Millennials can arrest tooth decay before it escalates into tooth loss.
2. Floss at Least Twice Daily
You may not have to carry a tube of toothpaste and a brush to the office to clean up your mouth after lunch, but at least carry dental floss. This is a useful small tool to have. After a meal, you can excuse yourself by going to the washrooms for a few minutes to floss. Flossing protects your enamel and gums by keeping away the pile-up of plaque in between your teeth.
You don’t want to be caught smiling awkwardly at your boss with little pieces of meat lodged in your canines. You must have seen those embarrassing afternoon encounters with a colleague who forgot to remove a vegetable from their teeth and had a presentation in the board room.
A National Library for Medicine report has revealed that one in five Americans don’t floss. This figure should make one think deeply before conversing with colleagues after lunch. Though that’s a significant number, it’s encouraging that a bigger number of Americans are paying attention, with 30% flossing at least once daily, according to Duong T. Nguyen.
3. Normalize Regular Dental Visits
There may be a few escape routes from facing the dentist’s tools. You’ll soon learn that the dentist can be a friend. But you’ve got to put in the work. A 2016 National Association of Dental Plans study revealed that 77% of Americans have dental insurance, two-thirds of whom had access to private dental insurance, usually paid out-of-pocket or by their employers.
With such encouraging statistics, one wonders why so many millennials with a dental care plan in their health insurance package dread the dentist’s appointment. Perhaps they’ve heard horror tales that have made them shun even regular dental checks. But you’re wiser than that; you don’t make decisions based on information from just one source because it’s likely biased. Getting a trustworthy dentist will pay off at some time. Your oral health will reward you with a beautiful smile later on.
Does your employer offer health insurance to staff? You likely have a dental package included in the insurance package. There are many dental healthcare insurance packages, as attested by two-thirds of Americans with private dental insurance. While some insurers aren’t keen to cover costs for their clients before treatment, they give them the option to claim a refund later.
Give your oral health a boost this season by being deliberate about visiting your dentist. If you’re apprehensive about the visit, ask a friend to accompany you. Your oral health can’t wait much longer.
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