Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being on the edge. But too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums and overall health. The potential fallout from stress and anxiety that can affect your oral health includes:
- Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores.
- Clenching and grinding of teeth (referred to as bruxism).
- Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines.
- Periodontal (gum) disease, or worsening or periodontal disease.
Mouth sores
Canker sores–small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red—appear inside the mouth. They are not contagious. Although experts are not sure what causes them, it could be an immune system problem, bacteria, or viruses–they do think that stress, as well as fatigue, and allergies can increase the risk of getting them. Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. To reduce irritation, don’t eat spicy foods, or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.
Cold sores
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by herpes simplex virus and are contagious. The often appear on or around the lips. Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak, so can a fever, a sunburn, or a skin abrasion. Canker sores also heal in about a week. Ask Dr.Shlafer about the treatments he has available to help heal canker sores and cold sores more quickly. It is important to start treatment as soon as you notice the sore forming.
Teeth Grinding
Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth–during the day or at night, and often unconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. If you already clench and grind, stress could make it worse. Grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the tempromandibular joint (TMJ), located in the front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet. Dr.Shlafer may recommend an appliance to help you stop or minimize the actions.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene routines, like flossing and brushing. When you do not take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall health can suffer. When you are under stress you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on large amounts of sugary foods or drinks. These habits increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems. Boosting or resuming an exercise routine can help relieve stress and help you feel more energized, which would allow you to cook healthier meals and resume your oral hygiene routine.
Gum Disease
Stress can increase dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short lived. Long-term, the stress can increase the risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, or may progress to serious gum disease. Healthy coping with active and practical strategies to deal with stress can reduce the risk of gum problems. Also, eating a balanced diet, seeing Dr.Shlafer regularly, and good oral hygiene will help.
QUESTION: I haven’t seen a dentist in a long time. My gums bleed every time I brush my teeth. Is this a problem?
ANSWER: Would you be concerned if your nails bled when you filed them? Of course you would! Gums that are bleeding are not normal, but showing signs of infection! Most adults need a professional cleaning every 3-6 months in addition to a rigorous home care program. Studies have shown inflammation of the gums can play a part in heart disease. It’s best to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shlafer right away if you are experiencing bleeding gums.
Over 80% of adults have some form of periodontal disease and 90% of those have no signs to indicate they have a problem. Your mouth is a portal to your body. Bleeding gums is a symptom. It may be your first clue to alert you, it’s time to see your Farmington Area Family Dentist Dr. Roman Shlafer.
The first line of defense is proper oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth after every meal.
- Bleeding gums may alert you to floss more often, or that it is time for a professional cleaning.
- Decrease the quantity and frequency of your sugar consumption. Sugar helps plaque grow.
- Schedule regular dental cleanings.
- Use a high quality electric tooth brush such as Oral B or Sonicare.
The control of plaque is the key to maintaining healthy gums.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the teeth due to improper cleaning of the teeth. Gingivitis is nearly always reversible. The usual signs of gingivitis are gums which are swollen and bleed during brushing. Failure to rinse your mouth, or brush your teeth after meals can result in a thin layer of food and bacteria covering the tooth surface. This bacteria is the chief culprit behind the inflammation known as gingivitis. The gums during this stage of infection become soft, spongy, and swollen.
Are bleeding gums a serious problem?
Yes. bleeding gums are a serious problem. It is either indicating the beginning of the destructive process involving the supporting tissue around the tooth, or some serious underlying systemic problem. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. These bacteria create toxins that damage the gums. Left unchecked, gingivitis can lead to more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. This long term infection can eventually cause the loss of your teeth. Gum disease—not decay— is the #1 cause of tooth loss. Gum disease generally doesn’t hurt, you may have it for years before you feel any discomfort. Don’t wait until you feel the pain! Stay on track with your dental check-ups. Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent bleeding gums, gingivitis and periodontitis.
What about mouth rinses for gum disease?
For reducing plaque and gingivitis, mouth rinses such as Peridex and Perioguard appear to be the most effective. These mouth-rinses are available by prescription only. There are some drawbacks with the use of these rinses: it may stain your teeth, or cause a change in taste. This is something to discuss your hygienist and Dr.Shlafer.
Gum disease and Illness.
The bacteria in gum disease can enter your bloodstream through damaged blood vessels which run through the gums. This can increase the toxin load in your bloodstream which increases your risk of:
- Stroke
- Stomach ulcers
- Lung Disease
- Pneumonia
- Low birth weight babies and increase in premature delivery
- Heart attacks
- Insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels
Harvard Medical School researchers studied longevity and found that one of the most important contributing factors was daily flossing. Because it removes bacteria from teeth and gums, flossing helps prevent periodontal disease and gingivitis. Bleeding gums? Check it out.
It is easy to sometimes ignore the effects of poor oral hygiene because they are hidden in your mouth. But gum disease produces a bleeding, infected area equivalent to the size of the palms of both of your hands! Perhaps if the infection were in a more visible place, it may be taken more seriously.
You might think that the worst consequence of poor dental health would be lost teeth, but some studies have linked common oral health problems to illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes,premature birth, osteoporosis, and even Alzheimer’s disease. In most cases, the strength and exact nature of the link is unclear, but they suggest that dental health is important to preserving overall health.
How gum disease spreads
Periodontal disease is an infection caused by unhealthy bacteria that lodge between your teeth and gum. Simply brushing your teeth is enough to put some of those bacteria into your bloodstream. The bacteria can then travel to major organs where they can spur new infections.
Inflammation also plays a role in spreading the effects of bad oral health. Red, swollen gum tissue signal the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria. Evidence is mounting of the importance of the “mouth-body connection,” as dental problems are being linked to a growing list of other ailments.
Oral Health and Diabetes
Diabetes and gum disease can interact in a vicious circle. Infections of any kind, including gum disease cause the body to produce proteins called cytokines, which increase insulin resistance and make blood sugar more difficult to control. Conversely, uncontrolled diabetes impairs the body’s healing mechanism, which makes it harder to control gum disease.
Diabetic patients who avoid the dentist will have problems that go beyond teeth loss. You will not be able to successfully manage your diabetes unless you go to the dentist. Gum disease may also speed the progression to full blown diabetes for those patients that are classified as prediabetic.
Oral Health and Heart Disease
People with periodontal disease are nearly twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without it. Recent analysis suggests common oral problems could increase the risk of cardiac problems. Researchers found that periodontal disease, with signs of bacterial exposure was associated with greater risk of heart disease.
Oral Health and Premature Birth
OBGYN’s always knew that preterm and low-birth weight births could be triggered by infections in the body. Studies show that severe periodontal disease in the mother may lead to an increase in the risk of premature birth. Remember those cytokines? Turns out they also increase the level of prostaglandin, which triggers labor. Fortunately early treatment of gum disease and improved oral hygiene in women can reduce their risk of premature birth.
Other conditions that indicate a link between dental health and overall health include:
Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis and tooth loss often go hand in hand because the same decrease in mineral density that boosts the risk of hip fractures affects the jawbone and teeth.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: A study released in June 2008 found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis were nearly 8 times more likely to have periodontal disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease: A study in 2005 of identical twins showed that in pairs where one had dementia and the other didn’t, the ones with dementia were 4 times more likely to have gum disease by midlife. The study doesn’t say that good oral health prevents Alzheimer’s, but that inflammation early in life can have severe consequences later.
Health Mouth, Healthy Body
With the mouth and body so closely linked, it makes sense for physicians and dentists to collaborate closely. The above findings show the importance of oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular visits to see Dr. Shlafer. In most cases, gum disease is not painful, you may be feeling fine but, you may find out more than you ever expected at your next exam.
Many of the most common symptoms are red, swollen, tender gums; bleeding while brushing or flossing; persistent bad breath or loose teeth will alert a patient that something is wrong. Dr.Shlafer offers the opportunity for patients to schedule a complimentary evaluation, where he can determine if you are a candidate for LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY. Patient’s may be interested in how the laser works, Dr.Shlafer can show you the tiny laser fiber and give you a short demonstration of how it is used.
Why is LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY better for the treatment of gum disease?
- No cutting or sutures
- Significantly less discomfort with greatly reduced recovery time.
- It takes less time than traditional surgery.
- Better, longer lasting results. In fact, 98% of LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY treated patients remain stable after 5 years, while only 5% reportedly remain stable after surgery.
- Dr.Shlafer will likely recommend a soft diet for a day or two, but in most cases patients feel good enough to eat anything they want after the procedure.
- With less than a 24 hour recovery period, so you won’t lose time from work. Following traditional surgery, recovery can take 2-4 weeks, during which patients experience pain and swelling.
- LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV,or those taking medications such as Plavix and aspirin.
The good news is LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY is a patient friendly, minimally invasive procedure that is a fantastic alternative to traditional gum surgery. Call for your complimentary consultation today!
People usually don’t show signs of gum disease until they are in their 30’s or 40’s. Men are more likely to have gum disease than women. What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
- Red, swollen, tender gums
- Bleeding while brushing and/or flossing
- Painful chewing
- Loose teeth
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
Any of these symptoms may be the sign of a serious problem,if you have any of these symptoms it’s time to schedule an appointment. Dr.Shlafer is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease. A periodontal evaluation would include taking necessary x-rays to determine the extent of any bone loss, reviewing your medical history to identify underlying conditions or risk factors (such as smoking) that may contribute to gum disease. He would examine your gums for signs of inflammation, and use a tiny ruler called a “probe” to check and measure any pockets. In a healthy mouth the depth of these pockets is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters.
What are the different types of periodontal disease?
- Gingivitis–the mildest form of periodontal disease, gums are likely to be red, swollen and tender causing them to bleed easily during cleaning and flossing.
- Mild periodontitis—untreated gingivitis leads to mild periodontitis. This stage of gum disease shows evidence of the bone around the tooth starting to erode. Prompt dental attention is necessary to prevent further erosion and damage.
- Moderate to advanced periodontitis–This most advanced stage of gum disease shows significant bone and tissue loss surrounding the teeth. This condition is treated with LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY.
Tomorrow–What is LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY? Why is this the superior treatment for gum disease?
Patients share common oral health concerns. Some of those conditions may be plaque and tartar build up; inflamed gums; bleeding gums; discoloration of your teeth; ulcerations affecting the tissue in your mouth; bad breath; TMJ pain; and pain or inability to chew with certain teeth. This is where the importance of establishing regular dental exams can be key, as many health conditions such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, anemia, immune system disorders, even some medications, can have a major impact on your dental health. That’s why your examination will include updating your health history for any changes in medications or conditions,and thorough examination of your gums,tongue and teeth.
Click Here for a great article about mouthwash and your oral hygiene
Do you have a dental question you would like to ask? Please let us know. Dr.Shlafer will be responding to one question per week. The responses will be posted on Wednesdays.
