Why is oral hygiene important?
There are many reasons. I would like to share some ways that our bodies may respond to stress from an oral health point of view, and also ways to calm our bodies and minds.
The habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, usually while you’re sleeping, is called bruxism. It may be cause by stress. Symptoms include headaches, a sore jaw, frequent toothaches, and damage to teeth or dental work.
Periodontal (gum) disease might be linked to high stress. Signs of gum disease include gums that bleed when you brush or floss; red, swollen or tender gums; and gums that have pulled away room your teeth.
Canker sores may also be stress-related. These small sores appear on the soft tissues inside your mouth or on the base of your gums. Most canker sores go away in a week or two. Call the office if the discomfort is preventing normal eating and speaking as there are treatments that may make you more comfortable and shorten the duration of the lesion. And be sure to let us know if you have a sore that does not heal.
If you find yourself feeling stressed, try these simple tips:
- Always make time for brushing and flossing. These three to five minutes are time to do something positive to improve and maintain your health.
- Keep regular dental appointments so that we can take care of any teeth damaged from clenching or grinding, or prescribe a night guard or bite plate to prevent further damage.
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga, to control tension. Visualize a beautiful, relaxing spot like the beach.
- Exercise. Nothing reduces stress like a run or bike ride.
Recognizing the important connection between the mouth and the body, we routinely watch for signs of problems that may affect your overall health such as:
- Signs of oral cancer
- Ability to chew and eat without unnecessary sensitivity
- Quality of sleep by checking for evidence of bruxism (or teeth grinding) and also watching for signs of snoring and sleep apnea
Although scientific research is just beginning to provide us with more conclusive information, it appears that gum disease may have links to some of the following health problems:
Diabetes
Research has indicated that people with diabetes are more at risk for developing gum disease and that diabetics who have advanced periodontal disease may experience some additional challenges in managing their blood sugar.
Systemic Diseases
Although the scientific research at this point remains inconclusive, these diseases appear to have a link to periodontal conditions:
Osteoporosis – Bone loss not only affects the bones that support healthy posture and movement, but can affect the jaw bone and lead to tooth loss due to the loss of a solid foundation to support the teeth.
Respiratory Disease – The aspiration of bacteria growing in the oral cavity can contribute to the development of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia.
Cancer – According to the American Academy of Periodontology, men with gum disease are more likely to develop specific types of cancer such as kidney, pancreatic and blood cancers.
Scientists are also currently researching to determine if there is a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, memory, and pre-term or low birth weight babies.