How Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

We all encounter stress in our lives, and some more than others. You're probably aware of what stress does to our bodies -- it can cause anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and a lack of sleep can lead to grogginess and irritability.

But stress and oral health is an entirely new ballgame for most people. Unfortunately, our mouths have just as much of a chance of being affected by stressful situations as our bodies and minds do. Researchers have found a significant link between stress and oral health, helping us better understand what part anxiety and depression take in the development of dental problems. We now know that stress is a contributing factor to the following conditions:

Bruxism -- Stress can cause us to grind our teeth at night, leading to tooth damage. If you're diagnosed with bruxism, a night guard can be prescribed to protect your jaw.

Canker Sores -- No one quite knows what exactly causes canker sores, but they are sometimes brought on by stress. Although harmless, these small sores can be painful.

Dry Mouth -- When the mouth doesn't produce enough saliva, it can experience chronic dryness. Not only does dry mouth result from conditions caused by stress, but it is also a common side effect of drugs used to treat depression.

Burning Mouth Syndrome -- Psychological problems are just one of the many factors known to cause burning mouth, which is identified by a burning sensation on the tongue, lips, gums or palate.

Lichen Planus -- Lichen planus of the mouth is characterized by white lines, sores and ulcers in the oral cavity. Some experts believe lichen planus is a reaction to viral infections caused by stress.

TMJ/TMD -- Stress contributes to temporomandibular joint disorders in many fashions. Trauma and tooth grinding are common causes of TMD, while emotional factors such as anxiety and depression can also trigger symptoms of TMJ.

Gum Disease -- Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems, increasing our susceptibility to infections such as periodontal disease.


Other Risk Factors
As you can see, stress and oral health often go hand-in-hand, but stress also takes indirect paths to affect your dental health. Patients who are under stress tend to neglect their oral hygiene routines -- when you have so much going on, it's hard to remember to brush and floss correctly. Poor diet is also a result of stress -- sugary and carbohydrate-laden foods that promote tooth decay might be consumed on a more frequent basis when we are busy or depressed.

There is yet another significant correlation between stress and oral health -- stress not only causes dental conditions, but painful dental problems can also increase our levels of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, our ability to tolerate pain is compromised as our bodies struggle to adapt to stressful situations. As a result, tooth pain can become more extreme during times of stress.


Time to De-Stress!
If you're feeling stressed, don't forget about your dental health. Take the time to focus on your oral hygiene regimen, and don't use smoking or alcohol to relieve stress. These habits are highly addictive, and they have damaging effects on your oral cavity. Instead, take proper measures to reduce stress in your life, such as eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep. If you suffer from extreme anxiety or depression, seek professional help.

If you're worried that stress is affecting your teeth or gums, see a dentist -- he or she can treat dental problems caused by anxiety and offer suggestions for better dental care.

Stress-Free Dental Care



- Eat well, exercise & get enough sleep


- Stay on top of oral hygiene


- Visit your dentist regularly




Article Found on 1-800-Dentist.com

Footnotes:
Medical News Today, "Emotional Stress Contributes to Oral Health Problems," http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4842.php (accessed March 19, 2008)

American Academy of Periodontology, "Stress May Leave Your Mouth a Mess," http://www.perio.org/consumer/stress07.htm (accessed March 19, 2008)

About.com: Mental Health, "How Stress Affects the Immune System," http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/stress/a/stressimmune604.htm (accessed March 21, 2008)

MedicineNet.com, "Dry Mouth," http://www.medicinenet.com/dry_mouth/article.htm (accessed March 21, 2008)

The Mayo Clinic, "Burning Mouth Syndrome: Causes," http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/burning-mouth-syndrome/DS00462/DSECTION=3 (accessed March 21, 2008)

HealthAtoZ.com, "Lichen Planus," http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/lichen_planus.jsp (accessed April 8, 2008)

Steven R. Pohlhaus, DDS, FAGD, "TMJ Disorders," http://www.stevedds.com/tmd.htm (accessed March 21, 2008)

NEW Intra-Oral Camera! What's that you ask?...

The key to quality dental work is good diagnosis. In the past, dentists have relied on x-ray technology and visual assessment of decay, fissures and pits to determine the right corrective procedures. Today, with the use of our intra-oral dental camera Dr. Gearin has the ability to obtain a much closer look at your teeth.

What Is An Intra-Oral Camera?
As the name implies, this dental tool is a intra-oral or inside the mouth camera. Our Intra-Oral camera is about the size of a dentists tool. It is extremely precise and can take a picture of your tooth with much greater detail than the human eye could ever dream of zooming in on. The intra-oral dental camera is connected to a monitor for viewing. Intra-oral cameras can look with great detail at cavities, crowns, onlays, inlays and cavity fillings.

Intra-Oral Camera Monitor
When Dr. Gearin takes a picture of your teeth with her intra-oral camera, the image is transferred to a monitor. With the image on the screen, Dr. Gearin can zoom in on areas of concern to identify early signs of problems, showing you trouble areas and explaining how these areas can be treated.

Benefits of Intra-Oral Cameras
One of the primary benefits of intra-oral cameras is the ability to capture, save and zoom in on an image of your tooth. Another benefit is that Dr. Gearin can now show you what she is observing which allows you to be more informed about your own dental health.

A Healthy Mouth for the Holidays

The American Dental Association (ADA) urges people considering procedures to brighten and enhance their smiles for the holiday season to first make sure that their mouths are healthy.

ADA consumer advisor Dr. Matthew Messina says patients increasingly are looking to cosmetic dental procedures as part of sprucing up for the holidays, or even as gifts for loved ones.

Demand for tooth-whitening, veneers and other smile-enhancing procedures has increased dramatically in recent years, a trend that TV shows such as "Extreme Makeover" may be fueling. Dr. Messina, a practicing general dentist in the Cleveland area, thinks these shows may create the misimpression that changes to the smile must be extreme to be effective.


(Extreme Makeover participant)

"Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference in the way you look and feel about yourself," he says. "And you don't have to go to Park Avenue or Rodeo Drive. Your own dentist can help you decide which procedures are appropriate and within your budget."

But remember that a healthy mouth is more important than a "movie-star" smile, says Dr. Messina. He advises patients to undergo a routine exam, which includes checking for tooth decay, periodontal (gum) diseases, oral cancer, worn fillings and other changes in one's teeth and gums.

"See your dentist before embarking on changing it, including with over-the-counter products," cautions Dr. Messina.

"Once you know your mouth is healthy, you and your dentist can discuss ways to brighten, shape or sculpt your smile," Dr. Messina says.

Article found on: www.ada.org




HAPPY HOLIDAYS! - Dr. Amy Gearin & Staff

Change Your Breath From Bad to GOOD

Bad breath is embarrassing, unpleasant, and all too common. These eight easy tips will sweeten your breath for good.
By Sarah Albert

We've all found ourselves chatting with someone whose breath could easily wilt a flower. With more than 90 million people suffering from chronic bad breath (also called halitosis), that's a lot of wilted flowers. If you (or someone you regularly smooch) has an attack of bad breath that even Altoids won't fix, try these eight simple tips to fix the problem.

Don't let your tongue become a dirty carpet.
Bad breath often strikes when people aren't properly taking care of their oral health. The odor is usually caused by decaying food particles and bacteria in your mouth. That's why brushing and flossing your teeth is so important, but don't forget to gently brush your tongue to get rid of even more bacteria.

A clean tongue goes a long way to warding off bad breath, says Stephen Z. Wolner, a dentist in private practice in New York City. "Your tongue microscopically is like a shaggy carpet. There are millions of filaments on your tongue that trap tiny food particles and bacteria," he says. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning your tongue using a toothbrush, the edge of a spoon, or a tongue cleaner. If you have any mouth guards or oral devices, make sure to clean them thoroughly before putting them back in your mouth.

Mouthwash isn't a bad idea, but it's only a temporary fix. Granted, a little mouthwash comes in handy before a romantic dinner for two, but it masks the odor instead of tackling the source of your problem.

Chew gum like it's going out of style.
Believe it or not, saliva is your best weapon against bad breath. That's why dry mouth, often caused by certain medications or medical conditions, leads to odor problems. By washing away food particles and bacteria, saliva helps to eliminate odor, too.

If you're wondering why your breath stinks in the morning, it's largely because saliva production slows while you sleep, allowing particles and odor to linger longer. That's where sugarless gum comes in handy, as chewing it will stimulate saliva production. Mints, on the other hand, don't usually stimulate saliva production and only temporarily mask bad odor.

"When you chew gum it makes you salivate, and the more saliva you have in your mouth the fewer bacteria you have. It not only mechanically washes bacteria out, but we have antiseptic and enzymes in our saliva that kill bacteria," says Wolner.

While anything that makes you salivate will improve your breath, a gum that is sweetened with xylitol is your best option. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that not only increases salvation but also works to prevent bacteria from replicating in the mouth.

Choose cinnamon -- it's sweeter.
A recent study of the cinnamon-flavored gum Big Red found that cinnamon might have breath-odor fighting abilities. Unlike other flavors, cinnamon is not just a cover-up, Wolner tells WebMD. In fact, he says, an ingredient in the flavoring appears to actually decrease the bacteria in your mouth. The only problem is that sugar gums are bad for your teeth, so stick to sugarless cinnamon-flavored gum instead.

Drink more water.
Wolner says the older you get the more likely you are to get dehydrated. You might not even notice you're thirsty, he says, so make drinking water a habit, because water will help keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum. Drinking water has a lot of health benefits, and preventing bad breath is one of them.

Rule out rare causes for bad breath.
While most bad breath can be banished with simple hygienic steps, there are times when dental or medical conditions might be the culprit. Make an appointment with your dentist if an unsavory odor takes residence in your mouth.

"If there is a persistent odor in your mouth, and you know it's not from the pasta you ate last night, see a dentist," Wolner tells WebMD. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint any cavities or decay, or even periodontal (gum) disease, that might be causing your bad breath.

Because on rare occasions bad breath can signal a larger problem, including infection, and even kidney or liver failure, you should also visit a doctor if your dentist doesn't find a cause for your bad breath problem.

Have a slice of bread.
If you're on one of the many popular low-carb diets, remember that bad breath or "ketone breath" is a potential side effect when you always have that burger sans bun. You can try different methods of masking the odor, such as gum or tart candies, but adding a few carbs to your daily diet might also do the trick.

Get a water pick.
You can't really clean your entire mouth with a toothbrush. "Using an irrigator or water pick cleans everything out around and under your gums and between your teeth," says Wolner. "If food lingers between your teeth where a toothbrush doesn't reach, it's fermenting." Next time you floss, take a whiff of your floss after you're done, and you'll have a good idea about what fermented or rotten food particles smell like.

Don't let bad breath go to your head.
If you think you have bad breath, get a second opinion. "A large proportion of people who think they're social pariahs with terrible breath don't have bad breath at all," says Wolner.

How to Get Your Kids to Brush Their Teeth

By Erin Huffstetler

It's not easy to get kids to brush their teeth, but it is important. Here are a few tricks to ensure that your kids are putting in the necessary brush time.

Things You'll Need:

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Timer

Step 1 - Let your kids pick out the supplies. There are lots of fun character toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market. Escort your kids to the store, and have them pick out their favorite. They'll be much more excited over brushing their teeth if they're excited about their toothbrush and toothpaste.

Step 2 - Set a timer. Grab the egg timer out of the kitchen, and set it for two minutes. Then have your kids brush until it dings.

Step 3 - Switch to a power toothbrush. A manual toothbrush isn't as effective (or as fun) as a power tooth brush--especially when kids are involved. Upgrade your kids, and you may just find your kids begging to brush.

Step 4 - Make it a family affair. Brush your teeth alongside your kids, and they're likely to mimic your teeth brushing habits. Just think of it as positive peer pressure.

Step 5 - Stick to a schedule. Kids like routine, so set regular teeth brushing times, and stick to them. Before long, it'll just become a part of their day.

5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year

Did you know that you could actually save hundreds of dollars by using your dental benefits before the end of the year? While some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, most run on a calendar year. If your dental insurance plan is on a calendar year, these 5 reasons will show you why you should make a dental appointment now.

1. Yearly Maximum

The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance1 plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $1,000 per year, per person. The yearly maximum usually renews every year (on January 1 if your plan is on a calendar year). If you have unused benefits, these will not rollover.

2. Deductible

The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies from one plan to another and could be higher if you choose an out-of-network dentist. However, the average deductible for a dental insurance plan is usually around $50 per year. Your deductible also starts again when your plan rolls over.

3. Premiums

If you are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don’t need any dental treatment, you should always have your regular dental cleanings2 to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease3, oral cancer4 and other dental problems.

4. Fee Increases

Another reason to use your benefits before the end of the year are possible fee increases. Some dentists raise their rates at the beginning of the year due to the increased cost of living, materials and equipment. A fee increase can also make your copay higher.

5. Dental Problems

Can WorsenBy delaying dental treatment, you are risking more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. What may be a simple cavity5 now, could turn into a root canal6 later. Call your dentist7 and schedule an appointment to use those benefits.

by Tammy Davenportfor About.com Created: June 21, 2007About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board