Do your gums hurt when you brush and floss? Is there blood in your toothpaste when you spit into the sink? This usually means one of two things—either you’re being too rough when you brush and floss, or you’re developing gum disease. To rule out other more serious problems, be sure to visit your dentist. Otherwise, explore these solutions to help prevent your gums from hurting when you brush your teeth.
When Your Gums Hurt Because of Rough Brushing and Flossing
It’s easy to brush too hard when you’re trying to be thorough. However, you can easily irritate your sensitive gum tissue if you scrub aggressively. Here’s how to clean your teeth while protecting your gums:
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Brush in gentle, circular motions.
Consider switching to an electric toothbrush.
When flossing, follow the curve of your teeth and avoid snapping the floss against your gums or using a sawing motion.
When Your Gums Hurt Because of Gum Disease
Mild gum disease, known as gingivitis, starts when a sticky film of bacteria called plaque builds up along the gum line. Ignoring gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease and, eventually, severe periodontitis. If your gums are swollen, red, irritated, and hurt when you brush, talk to your dentist about starting treatment.
Other Reasons Why Your Gums Hurt
There are many other potential causes of painful gums, including:
Canker sores
Tooth abscesses
Tobacco use, including cigarettes, vaporizers, and chewing tobacco
Hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause
Thrush, a type of yeast infection
Ill-fitting oral devices, including braces, retainers, dentures, and mouthguards
Chemotherapy drugs
How to Sooth Sore Gums
In addition to brushing and flossing more gently, treating gum disease, and tackling other causes of painful gums at the source, try these tips to soothe your sore gums:
Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
Rinse with mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Apply numbing gel to the tender area.
Avoid spicy or acidic foods to avoid further irritation.
Eat yogurt with live cultures to balance the bacteria in your mouth.
Discuss Your Symptoms with Your Dentist
If your gums hurt or bleed for over a week, and your attempts to treat the problem at home aren’t working, it’s time to contact your dentist. A professional teeth cleaning can remove the stubborn plaque irritating your gums. Your oral hygienist may also perform a deep-clean called root planing and scaling if you have gum disease.
Practicing great oral care not only involves brushing twice a day and flossing daily—it also means visiting your oral care provider for a professional cleaning every six months. While these visits usually are painless and quick, they can sometimes leave your teeth feeling sensitive, especially if you received a deep cleaning. Luckily, over time these sensations will fade and do not indicate anything serious. Here’s a look at why you have sensitive teeth after a cleaning and what you can do if this feeling lasts longer than expected.
Why Are My Teeth Sensitive After A Cleaning?
Teeth sensitivity happens when the dentin, which is the layer beneath your enamel, becomes exposed due to receding gums. Remember—your roots don’t have enamel to protect them, so anything that comes in contact with them may cause sensitivity, like dental tools. While several factors contribute to tooth sensitivity, dental cleanings are a known cause, as your dental care professional may probe your gums and use tools that contact-sensitive areas of your teeth.
Deep Cleaning
Not every dental visit will involve a deep cleaning, but your teeth may also feel sensitive afterward if you do receive this procedure. According to the University of Michigan Health Library, you may need a deep cleaning when your gums have started to pull away from the teeth and create pockets where plaque can get trapped. When your oral care provider performs this procedure, which is also known as scaling and root planing, they’ll remove tartar and rough bacteria that have calcified on your teeth in these pockets. According to the American Dental Association, scaling is when your oral care provider removes the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline using special tools. Planing is when they smooth out your teeth’s roots to help your gums reattach to your teeth.
Before a deep-cleaning session, the gums may be inflamed and swollen or have deep pockets infected with bacteria. Both scaling and root planing help treat these problems, but this treatment can hurt your teeth after the cleaning due to natural discomfort and bleeding. The dentist may offer a local anesthetic if your deep cleaning is likely to be more irritating.
What Happens Next?
It’s normal to experience sensitivity after a deep cleaning, which can last up to a week. Soreness and pain may also linger for a few days as your gums may be swollen or bleed. Your oral care provider may prescribe an antibiotic or mouth rinse to manage any pain and fight any possible infections.
Caring for Deep-Cleaned Teeth
Taking good care of your teeth after a deep cleaning treatment helps your gums heal by reducing the common triggers of pain and sensitivity. Wait at least a day before flossing, and brush your teeth carefully with a soft-bristled toothbrush while your gums are still sore. Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth to help treat and prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid eating foods or drinking liquids that set off your sensitivity. If your teeth are sensitive three or four weeks after treatment or you have other concerns, contact your dentist for a follow-up visit. He or she can check that your gums are healing well.
How to Avoid Teeth Sensitivity
One way to avoid teeth sensitivity after a deep cleaning is to look for ways to improve your current day-to-day oral care routine. In addition to brushing twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, avoid aggressive or hard scrubbing when brushing. You should also try to avoid acidic foods and drinks, which can lead to enamel deterioration (though using a straw can help mitigate that risk, as well as drinking water after an acidic beverage). If you grind your teeth, your oral care professional can provide you with a mouthguard that can protect you from grinding down your teeth and causing sensitivity.
While the sensation of feeling sensitivity in your teeth feels uncomfortable, it’s normal to feel it after a cleaning, and it’s usually temporary. But if your symptoms last longer than a few weeks, you should contact your oral care provider to talk about your concerns.
Remember—teeth cleanings (and deep cleanings) are easy & excellent ways to maintain great oral health and prevent cavities. Even though your teeth might be sensitive after a cleaning, don’t worry. It’s normal and temporary, and soon you’ll be on your way to a healthier smile.
To understand why exposed dentin is a challenge to be solved, here's a mini-lesson on teeth:
Enamel is the outer layer of each tooth. It's sort of a superhero since enamel's the hardest substance in our entire bodies and helps protect us from tooth sensitivity. Yay for enamel!
Directly beneath enamel is the dentin layer. Though considerably softer than enamel, it supports your tooth's structure. (Hurray, dentin!) Dentin contains thousands of microscopic tubules with nerve endings connecting directly to the inner pulp of the tooth.
Dental pulp contains the nerve fiber that interprets everything as pain. Yikes!
If your enamel wears away, exposing your dentin, then cold, heat, pressure, or almost anything can cause sensitivity. To learn how to prevent exposed dentin, first be aware of the causes. If you already have exposed dentin, know what treatments are at the ready.
Dentin Exposure: Causes and Prevention
The best way to avoid sensitivity due to dentin exposure is to prevent practices or conditions leading to enamel erosion. Luckily, for the most common causes of dentin exposure, there's a preventive measure.
Grinding
Cause of Exposure: Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can result from stress, malocclusion (a misaligned bite), or certain diseases affecting your muscles. Over time, grinding can lead to thinning enamel on your teeth's biting surfaces. Eventually, this thinning will cause the enamel to wear away, leaving the dentin exposed.
Prevention: Your doctor and dentist can advise you on ways to prevent grinding, which can include dental work, orthodontia, stress management, medications, or sleep disorder treatments.
However, to prevent your enamel from thinning, your dentist can make a splint or an acrylic mouthguard to reduce clenching while you sleep. While they won't stop the grinding, these items will protect your teeth from wearing down.
Gum Recession
Cause of Exposure: When plaque accumulates along your gingival margin, the edge of the gum that meets your teeth, the result can be gum recession (and disease). When your gums recede below your enamel layer into the root, your cementum layer will be exposed. This can lead to dentin exposure.
Prevention: This is where your oral health routine comes into play:
Gently brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once a day.
Schedule twice-annual dental checkups at which your dental professional examines your gums for any recession.
Yep, it's that easy!
Overzealous Brushing
Cause of Exposure: Using a hard toothbrush and repeatedly scrubbing, especially with abrasive toothpaste, can also scrape off your enamel and expose dentin. Overbrushing is most troublesome along the gumline, where the enamel is thinnest.
Prevention: If you're a vigorous brusher, switch to a soft-bristled brush or an electric toothbrush that alerts you when you brush too hard. Also, use non-abrasive toothpaste, one with a low Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) number.
And don't forget to floss! Removing bacteria in-between your teeth makes them feel cleaner and helps prevent cavities and gum inflammation. That, in turn, reduces your risk of gum recession and sensitivity.
Heartburn/Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Cause of Exposure: When gastric reflux occurs, your stomach acid enters your mouth, leading to enamel erosion and tooth decay.
Prevention: By managing GERD, you can help prevent dentin exposure. Consult your doctor, who might recommend lifestyle changes, prescription or over-the-counter medicine, or surgery.
Treating Exposed Dentin
Once dentin exposure occurs, you'll experience sensitivity ranging from mild yet annoying sensations to brief but intense shooting pains. Exposed dentin treatments your dentist might suggest include those noted by the American Dental Association (ADA):
Desensitizing toothpaste: Ask your dentist what toothpaste best blocks tooth nerve sensitivity. You might have to brush over several days before you notice a sensitivity reduction.
Fluoride gel: Your dental professional will administer this gel, which does double duty: It strengthens your tooth enamel and reduces teeth sensitivity.
Dental crowns, inlays, or bonding: Your dentist might perform one of these procedures if your sensitivity results from decay or a dental imperfection.
Surgical gum graft: If you lose gum tissue at the root level, a graft can reduce sensitivity while protecting the root.
Root canal: If your teeth don't respond to other treatments, this is usually the last resort if you experience severe, persistent tooth sensitivity.
Learning about your teeth' layers helps you understand what causes tooth sensitivity – or hypersensitivity – due to dentin exposure. And that's the first step to prevention. It's good to know treatments exist for dentin exposure, but it's better if you can keep your enamel healthy. After all, that's the layer exposing your smile.
“Today, I get to buy a new toothbrush. I’m so excited,” said no one ever.
Sure, shopping for a toothbrush isn’t as fun as buying a new color of lipstick or clothing. It doesn’t even come close, but it is important. Replacing your toothbrush will help keep you and your family healthy and smiling. Here are some toothbrush tidbits that are good to know.
Toothbrushes Get Old and Frayed
According to the ADA, you should change your toothbrush at least every three to four months. When you think about it, that makes a lot of sense. After all, you use your toothbrush multiple times (hopefully) every day. And if you’re brushing correctly, the bristles are getting worn out. Regardless of how long you’ve had your current toothbrush if you see wear and tear on the bristles, replace it.
Replace Your Toothbrush After an Illness
If you’ve been ill, get a new toothbrush, or you could get sick again. If you have any type of virus, such as a cold sore, you should throw your toothbrush away. Please do not put it in the dishwater, microwave, or use disinfectants to get rid of the germs. Replacing your toothbrush may be a way to help you stay healthy.
Fun Toothbrushes Entice Children to Clean Their Teeth
Replacing their toothbrushes more often may make them take better care of their teeth. Colorful toothbrushes and ones with popular characters can get them to want to brush. Take them shopping to pick out the perfect one. Toothbrushes can also be birthday party favors, Halloween treats, and stocking stuffers. Make dental hygiene fun for your kids.
Get a New Toothbrush to Help With Dental Concerns
Maybe your gums bleed because you have gingivitis, or you have a higher cavity rate and need a toothbrush that will reach your back molars, or you have bad breath and need to brush your tongue with a toothbrush with a tongue cleaner. Whatever the reason, the type of toothbrush you choose can make a positive difference.
Take care of your teeth by replacing your toothbrush. Do it at least every three to four months, after you’ve been sick if your current toothbrush looks worn out or you’re having dental problems. After all, your teeth do a lot for you. They smile. They chew. Then, they smile and chew some more. If you have kids, find one that they’ll want to use. Toothbrushes come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure to look for the ones that are recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush that is gentle on the gums is best. Happy toothbrush shopping.
With respect to teeth straightening, most procedures and treatments are geared towards fixing multiple teeth or even an entire row. That’s the idea behind solutions like braces, aligners or even dentures. Sometimes, though, it’s only one tooth that is misaligned. When this happens, it can sabotage your entire smile, lower your confidence and lead to oral health issues. In addition, because the problem feels minute it often goes untreated.
Single tooth straightening is both possible and more common than you think. There are several treatment options and each patient must decide the lengths they are willing to go to fix one tooth. Often, one tooth can be quickly straightened with clear aligners or fast braces. While these are potentially suitable solutions, there are methods that could be less disruptive to a patient’s life.
Let’s review what can cause a single misalignment and the potential dangers they harbour. Then, we’ll present the options to fix that tooth so you can make an informed decision and take the first step toward getting your smile in style!
Causes for a Single Crooked Tooth
One crooked tooth is usually the result of overcrowding or a narrow roof of the mouth. Essentially, the problem is that when teeth don’t have enough room, one or more can get push forward or backward. Think about a crowded elevator and how hard it is for everyone to stand perfectly aligned, shoulders barely touching.
A crooked tooth, or misalignment, is generally caused by:
Thumb sucking after baby has started to teethe.
A poor swallowing reflux that causes the tongue to push against the front teeth.
Early loss of baby teeth.
Uncharacteristically big teeth.
Whether it’s a single tooth or an entire row of teeth, what causes misalignments is standard.
Dangers of a Single Crooked Tooth
Granted, a single crooked tooth might seem minor but it is still recommended that you seek treatment. The main reason is that a perfect smile can boost your confidence and improve your appearance. It might sound strange but one little tooth can draw attention away from your other facial features.
Appearances aside there are several oral health dangers associated with single misalignments. Overlapping or overcrowded teeth can become bacteria traps and are much harder to clean. Left untreated, that tooth and surrounding teeth could be susceptible to decay, gum disease and discolouration. Lastly, a misaligned tooth can throw off your bite causing pressure on your teeth. This can lead to cracked teeth or even TMJ disorders.
If you are the parent of a teenager with a crooked tooth you should speak with a dentist about corrective measures. Fixing this issue for young adults has been known to help them feel more self-assured and prevent the issue from worsening.
Are Braces an Option?
Braces could be recommended by an orthodontist simply because they are the most effective way to straighten crooked teeth. Made from either ceramic or metal, braces use a network of brackets connected by tight wires to bring teeth into a healthy position pre-determined by your orthodontist. Braces rely on a steady amount of tension that is gradually increased over time to successfully straighten teeth, or in this case, one tooth.
For most, though, braces are too extreme of an option to just fix one crooked tooth. The patient would be subjected to the emotional rigors of having to wear braces in addition to being tasked with maintaining them daily. It’s unrealistic for most to commit to at least a year of monthly clinic visits for adjustments and checkups.
If you go the braces route but want to complete treatment quicker than normal, then you should consider Fast Braces. Georgian Dental® introduced this version of accelerated braces to the Muskoka-Simcoe County, allowing patients to get the best results in half the time and without sacrificing quality or paying an exorbitant amount of money. For patients looking to fix a single tooth, Fast Braces might offer the best mix of results and treatment duration.
Straightening a Tooth without Braces
If you don’t want to undergo an extensive treatment like braces just to correct a single misalignment, then don’t worry, you have options. Since we’re focusing on an isolated tooth issue, the following treatments should take less time than normal.
Retainers
Both removable and fixed retainers can repair an isolated issue like a single misalignment in a relatively efficient way. Determine which is better based on your comfort level, lifestyle and your orthodontist’s recommendation.
Removable retainers are a popular method as the patient doesn’t have to wear them while attending social occasions or professional events. The convenience and joy of being able to remove them for a night out is counterbalanced by the responsibility of wearing them often enough so that they can provide treatment.
The fixed version appeals to patients who don’t want to be burdened with having to remember to wear their retainer. Additionally, fixed retainers tend to offer better long-term results. They are attached to the inside of a patient’s teeth and correct the single crooked tooth over time by not allowing the teeth to shift. While this is a good solution, remember that it cannot be removed for even a moment of relief.
Palatal Expanders
An orthodontist can insert a palatal expander to widen the arch of the upper teeth. This opens space for the teeth to shift into their natural position. This piece of orthodontic equipment is attached to the upper molars. Then a special key is used to painlessly turn a screw that applies pressure on each halve of the upper jaw.
Expanders are nearly invisible but patients need to expect a small amount of discomfort as adjustments are being made.
Invisalign
Invisalign are sets of clear and removable aligners that straighten teeth over time. It is considered a strong option to correct one misaligned tooth as it allows patients to undergo treatment in a stealth manner with little interruption to their lives.
If this sounds good, then speak to your dentist or orthodontist about Invisalign. A major caveat is that while Invisalign might be the most comfortable option they might not be able to correct a tooth that is severely misaligned. Ultimately, you don’t want to commit to a long treatment schedule only to find out the problem was only half fixed.
Which Solution is Best?
Now that you know you can correct just one tooth that is out of alignment, you need to determine which solution is best for you. The short (and frustrating) answer is that there’s no one way that works for everyone. The best course of action is to sit down with an orthodontist to review your situation and discuss the pros and cons of each option.
Dental cleaning is professional teeth cleaning that is carried out by a licensed dental hygienist in a dental clinic. Dental cleaning is a preventative procedure that everyone should undertake. The process includes thorough teeth cleaning, removal of plaque and tartar, and cleaning of the gum.
Here are the 5 important benefits of teeth cleaning:
Removal of Stubborn Stains
It may not be easy to give up your favorite tea, coffee, red wine, and other foods or drinks that stain your teeth. However, you can have the stain removed by special toothpaste. Certain stains cannot be removed easily by brushing your teeth, especially when yellow dentin is already showing through your enamel. But the good news is that dental cleaning will remove all types of stains and yellow coloration of your teeth.
Bright Smiles
Dental cleaning will give you healthy white teeth. You cannot afford not to smile with a set of brightly polished teeth. If you are having a hard time laughing among friends, colleagues, or family, visit a dental clinic for professional teeth cleaning that will restore your bright smiles.
Boost Confidence
Another benefit of dental cleaning is a boost in self-confidence and heightened self-esteem. When you have had your teeth cleaned by a dentist, you are confident that your mouth is in top condition. You will be bold to talk to people either at work or in any other place. Experience a boost in your self-esteem by having deep teeth cleaning by a professional in a dental clinic.
Reduced Rate of Diabetes
It is common knowledge that persons above 45 are at risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, gum diseases and connected to diabetes. Periodontal diseases, for example, affect the body and the production of insulin. This condition makes diabetes worse. But with a visit to a dental clinic for a dental cleaning, the dentist can diagnose your gum disease and help you treat it as early as possible before your condition degenerates. If you have diabetes and gum disease; treating gum disease will reduce the severity of diabetes.
Prevention of Pneumonia
Pneumonia affects the lungs and causes breathing issues. It can be debilitating or fatal. Poor oral health can result in pneumonia through the bacteria gestating in the mouth and breathed into the lungs. Avoid being vulnerable to pneumonia by going for deep teeth cleaning and oral care today.
Word on the street is you’ll keep your teeth longer as you enter old age, but with this good news comes an alarming warning that there are more problems likely to arise with your chompers and so you need to maintain those visits to your dentist.
In your 60s there are five common dental issues you’re bound to face and fortunately the remedies are pretty straight forward.
1. Tooth decayEven if you’re in your 60s you can get cavities. You’ll get them on the surface of your teeth, which might not have been a problem before, and you can also get them around old fillings and at the root of your teeth.
Here’s the fix — fluoride. It’s not just for kids. Dental health has improved since water fluoridation began in the 1950s, however if you don’t have fluorinated water you should add a daily rinse to your brushing habit according to United States spokesperson on elder care for the American Dental Association Judith Ann Jones.
2. Dry mouthIf you don’t produce enough saliva your teth could be at risk. There is calcium and phosphate present in saliva and this prevents demineralisation of your teeth. You’ll know if you have dry mouth because you’ll have a sticky feeling in your mouth, you have trouble swallowing, you might have a dry throat and you could have dry, cracked lips. You might even notice a metallic taste in your mouth or you could have persistent bad breath.
Often the condition is caused by medication, and as you get older chances are you’ll be taking more medication. But dry mouth can also be a result of smoking or a blow to the head that has had an impact on your salivary glands.
Here’s the fix — sip water all day or chew a sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva production. Your dentist might also prescribe you with a saliva substitute for you to try.
3. Gum diseaseIf you have swollen, red or bleeding gums you could have a condition called ‘gingivitis’, which is an early form of gum disease. If you don’t do anything about it the condition can be dangerous; you could develop a disease called ‘periodontitis’ and this is where your gum pulls away from the tooth and creates a pocket that can become infected. Worse, if you don’t take action you could lose teeth or bones in your jaw.
Here’s the fix — see your dentist regularly. Your dentist will check and treat the condition and give your teeth a good clean in the process.
4. Oral cancerOral cancer represents between 3 and 4 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia each year. Your chances of developing this cancer increases as you get older and is most often linked to smoking or alcohol use.
Here’s the fix — Ensure your dentist does an oral cancer exam when you visit as your best chance of survival is if the disease is detected early. The test involves checking the soft tissue in your mouth as well as your throat and jaw. If they don’t do the test, request it or consider switching to a dentist that does. It could save your life!
5. Tooth crowdingAs you get older your teeth move around and this creates an opportunity for them to overlap one another. The reason this is problematic is not just because you’ll look different when you smile, but because it makes home maintenance on your teeth all the more difficult. When your teeth are misaligned you can develop teeth erosion or you can damage the supporting tissue and bone, and when you add this to your risk of periodontal disease you also risk losing your teeth at a faster rate.
Here’s the fix — Talk to your dentist about the shifts and see if they will refer you to an orthodontist. You might need braces or a retainer or even a spacer. Don’t think that because you’re in your 60s that you’re too old for such action either.
When it comes to preventing cavities, you already know that you should brush and floss every day. These habits keep your pearly whites healthy and bright by preventing plaque from building up and causing decay and infection. Even if you’re brushing and flossing every day, though, it’s all too easy to do things incorrectly. Here are five teeth cleaning mistakes you might be making that make your dentist in San Marcos cringe.
Only Brushing Once Per Day
Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, is constantly forming in your mouth. If you go more than about 12 hours without brushing (and flossing), plaque starts to harden into a yellowish material called tartar. Tartar can only be removed by the special instruments that dentists or dental hygienists use, giving it ample time to wreak havoc on your smile. Luckily, you can prevent plaque from turning into tartar by brushing your teeth at least twice a day – first thing in the morning and last thing before bed.
Rushing Through Brushing
The average person only spends about 45 seconds brushing their teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), though, you should be brushing twice daily for two minutes each. If you have trouble remembering to brush for that long, you may want to purchase an electric toothbrush that comes with a two-minute timer. Some of them even alert you every 30 seconds when it’s time to switch to a different quadrant of your mouth.
Rarely Replacing Your Toothbrush
There’s a reason your dentist gives you a free toothbrush in your goody bag at every checkup. The ADA recommends switching out your toothbrush every three to four months. After that, the bristles of your brush can easily become frayed and worn, rendering them not nearly as effective at cleaning your teeth. You should also replace your toothbrush (or brush head if you use an electric toothbrush) after you’ve been sick. There’s a chance that germs could linger on your toothbrush and reinfect you.
Brushing Too Hard
Scrubbing your kitchen counter with more force might clean it more efficiently, but the same principle does not apply to toothbrushing. Brushing too hard (or using a hard-bristled brush) may actually do more harm than good. It can wear away your gum tissue and tooth enamel, neither of which grow back once they have been lost. This leaves you more vulnerable to sensitivity and other damage. Think of brushing your teeth more like polishing an eggshell rather than sanding down a floor.
Forgetting to Floss
As important as daily brushing is, it only cleans three out of the five surfaces of your teeth. Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from between your teeth and prevent it from turning into tartar. Set a reminder to floss at least once a day – preferably before bed so that bacteria don’t damage your teeth and gums while you’re sleeping.
In addition to seeing your dentist twice a year for a checkup, brushing and flossing correctly is crucial in keeping your smile healthy. For more advice on at-home teeth cleaning, ask your dentist.
Stress is one of the most common problems that we face during our lives. Whether it’s stress at work, home or elsewhere, we all feel stressed at some point. It’s something that can affect anyone of any age or background.
They say that a little bit of stress is a good thing because it forces us to get things done. However, it’s also true that when the stress is severe or prolonged, it can harm your mental and physical health.
One of the aspects of your physical health that can be affected is your oral health. Did you know that stress can cause damage to your mouth, your teeth and even your gums? In this blog post, we will discuss the different ways stress can affect your oral health. We will also give you some tips on how to tackle each problem.
1. Stress can cause you to grind your teeth
Have you heard of the word ‘bruxism’ before? It’s a fancy term for the act of grinding your teeth – that classic thing that people do when they’re stressed.
Whatever you call it, teeth grinding is a real problem for people with stress. It can damage your teeth to the point where you need extensive work done to repair the damage.
If you suspect that you’ve been grinding your teeth, then it’s best to see a dentist right away. Your dentist may recommend that you wear a nightguard to prevent further damage.
2. Stress can cause you to chew pencils or your fingernails
When people are stressed or nervous, they often chew on objects such as pens, pencils and their fingernails. This can make them feel better for a while.
However, you should never chew on objects. This is because it’s bad for your teeth. It can weaken your teeth over time and eventually cause them to break or fracture.
So if you’re guilty of chewing on pencils, then replace this bad habit with a healthier one, such as exercise or squeezing a stress ball.
3. Stress can make you crave nicotine
Smokers often turn cigarettes when they’re feeling stressed. The chemicals in the cigarette can make them feel good for a while, which can help them cope with the stress. Even many ex-smokers, people who have never touched a cigarette for several years, have been known to start smoking again when their lives get stressful. The loss of a job, a death in the family, and divorce are all events that can trigger people to start smoking again.
However, smoking should never be a crutch to help you cope with stress. Cigarettes are very bad for your oral health and cause problems such as dry mouth, oral cancer, infections and staining.
Conclusion
Stress affects our bodies in many ways, and one of the areas of our body that gets affected is our teeth. If you’ve been under a lot of stress lately, then please see a dentist for an evaluation of how it is affecting your oral health.
Next week we’ll look at three more ways that stress can worsen your oral health: diet, mouth sores and your dental hygiene routine. See you then!
Your entire body is interconnected in many different ways, and your mouth acts as a window into your body. So when you think about it, it really makes sense how the condition of your teeth and gums influences other areas of the body, like your heart. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is necessary for keeping your mouth fresh and looking great, but there are many other important associated benefits of good oral health that may surprise you. Let’s explore a few of these below.
1.- Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease
Poor oral health has been linked to an increased risk of developing heart disease. Studies have shown that those with gum disease have a higher chance of suffering from a heart attack. In fact, as gum disease triggers inflammation in your mouth, it can also spread throughout your entire body. So by taking good care of your teeth, you’re also taking good care of your heart.
2.- Prevents Tooth Decay and Cavities
What happens if you don’t clean your teeth every day? You’re leaving your mouth prone to cavity-causing bacteria. And when bacteria is left to accumulate on your teeth, it can lead to tooth decay and eventually cavities. By staying on top of your oral health, you can eliminate plaque and keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free.
3.- Healthier Pregnancies With Good Oral Health
Health Canada has been conducting ongoing studies that show a correlation between oral health and healthy pregnancies. Some reports indicate a link between poor oral hygiene and a higher risk for pre-term, low weight babies, which can increase the likelihood of complications. Even with studies in their infant stages, it’s important for pregnant women to be diligent and take good care of their teeth and gums to avoid any potential complications.
4.- Oral Cancer Detection
Did you know that your regular check-ups with the dentist include an examination to screen for oral cancer? So in addition to giving your mouth a good cleaning, your dentist is also monitoring your entire mouth, including your neck, cheeks, tongue, gum and lips for any abnormalities that could point to oral cancer. Early detection can drastically improve your chances of successful treatment, which is another reason why those regular check-ups are such an essential part of maintaining good oral health.
5.- Link Between Gum Disease and Diabetes
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, diabetes is on the rise and oral health could be a contributing factor at play. When gum disease develops, the toxins and periodontal bacteria can impact insulin resistance, along with blood glucose levels – all the more reason to keep those pearly whites in good shape.
If you were wondering why oral care matters, it’s important to understand that the benefits of good oral health reach far beyond having whiter and brighter teeth. There is a significant amount of research that is showing more of a direct correlation between oral health and general health. So the next time you consider skipping out on your tooth brushing or your visit to the dentist, think again for the sake of your health.
