Excess stress may give you a headache, stomachache, or just a feeling of being on edge. Too much stress could also be doing a number on your mouth, teeth, gums and overall health. The potential fallout from stress and anxiety can affect your oral health, some examples include:

1. Mouth sores, including canker sores and cold sores
2. Clenching and grinding of your teeth
3. Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating habits
4. Periodontal gum disease or worsening of an existing gum condition

Here are some things to consider to help prevent oral health problems:

1. Canker sores are small ulcers that appear inside the mouth. Canker sores are not contagious, most disappear in a week to 10 days. To reduce irritation, don’t eat spicy, hot foods, or foods with high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.
2. Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by herpes simplex virus and are contagious. They can appear around the lips, under the nose, or in the chin area. Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak. So can fever, a sunburn, or skin abrasion. As with a canker sore, over the counter remedies or prescription antiviral drugs are available. Dr.Shlafer can sometimes use the laser to control the outbreak if caught as soon as you notice the cold sore forming.
3. Stress may cause you to  clench or grind your teeth–during the day or at night, and often unconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. 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 a night guard or another appliance to help minimize the permanent damage grinding can cause to your teeth.
4. Being under extreme stress may affect your mood and cause you to skip oral hygiene habits, such as flossing and brushing. By not taking care of your oral health, your teeth and overall health can suffer. If you already have gum disease, skipping daily hygiene will worsen the problem. If your mouth is in good health, missing regular brushing and flossing can lead to gum disease or increase your risk for cavities.
5. When under stress, you may also develop unhealthy eating habits, such as snacking on sugary foods and drinks. These habits can increase the risk for tooth decay and other problems. Boosting or resuming your exercise routine can help relieve stress and help you feel energized enough to get back to your normal healthy habits.
6. Stress can cause an increase in dental plaque, this can boost your risk for bleeding gums or gingivitis, even when high stress levels are short term. Stress can  also lead to depression, and depressed patients, according to research have twice the risk of an unfavorable outcome from gum disease treatment.
7. Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing Dr.Shlafer regularly, and good oral hygiene can help reduce your risk of periodontal disease. Take care of yourself—–you’re worth it!

 More about advances in dental care: New Gum Disease Treatments For Better Health. When supporting tissue and bone around your teeth doesn’t fit snuggly, “pockets” form in the gums. Bacteria then invades these pockets, increasing bone destruction and tooth loss. A variety of treatments may be recommended, they range from a root planing and scaling to laser(LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY) treatment to reduce the pockets. In recent years, the focus of gum disease treatment has expanded beyond reducing pockets and removing bacteria to include regenerative procedures. This is exciting news for our patients suffering from gum disease!

Better Dental Implants.  Implants to replace lost teeth are now more common than in years past. A titanium implant or screw-like device is inserted to serve as a replacement root, fusing with the jawbone and protruding above the gum-line. An abutment covers the protruding part and a special implant crown is placed over that. The typical life of an implant is about 15 years or longer, and according to the American Academy of Oral and Maxiofacial Surgeons about 95% of implants place today are successful.

Lasers for Tooth Cavity Detection. Traditionally, an instrument called an “explorer” was used to find cavities. If  it stuck to a tooth, Dr.Shlafer would take a closer look to see if he found decay. Now Dr.Shlafer can use DIAGNOdent, a high tech option for detecting cavities. This laser can detect pockets of bacteria inside a tooth, producing a digital readout of the level of bacteria. Dr.Shlafer can then choose to watch the tooth, comparing the levels at your next visit or advise that the cavity be removed and the tooth filled.

Dr.Shlafer and the team all take pride in our ability to offer our patients the most advanced dentistry in a safe and warm environment. We’re here to help you achieve a healthy smile!