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In the hectic and complex world today, stress has become a common concern for most of us. With things we had not anticipated happening around us on all the time, coping with stress may prove to be difficult. A certain level of stress is healthy as it may help you feel more energized and alert. Stress becomes difficult to deal with when you experience continuous challenges without any relaxation and relief. Chronic stress is linked to some major health complications including depression, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol level among others. Recently, researchers have found that stress is closely related to oral health. It may lead to a myriad of oral health complications. In this article, we are going to discuss the effects of stress on your mouth. Contents Teeth Clenching/Grinding (Bruxism) How Do I Know If I Grind my Teeth? How to Treat Mouth Ulcers Burning Mouth Syndrome How is it treated? Bottom Line Teeth Clenching/Grinding (Bruxism) When you clench or grind your teeth, this is technically known as bruxism. Stress or anxiety can lead to tooth grinding or clenching of the jaw leading to tooth damage. Teeth grinding is a habit that can cause permanent damage to the teeth as it can chip or wear down the enamel. Clenching and grinding can also make the jaw muscles sore, making it difficult to open or close your mouth or chew and bite food. It can also exert pressure on the supportive tissues of your teeth and can eventually result inbone loss if not corrected. Teeth grinding is a condition that occurs unconsciously during night hours. You might not even know if you are suffering from the condition since it happens when you are asleep. If an individual has a tendency of teeth grinding, stress can make the condition worse. According to Australian Dental Association, five to twelve percent of people in Australia suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder which is a condition brought about by teeth grinding. How Do I Know If I Grind my Teeth? A majority of people are completely unaware if they grind their teeth since it happens at night while sleeping. However, if you are experiencing the following symptoms, the chances are that you grind your teeth. Worn Down, Chipped or Fractured Teeth Grinding your teeth on a regularly can wear down your teeth. It can even flatten them or crack the tooth enamel Loud noises caused by teeth grinding Teeth grinding often makes a loud noise to the extent that your partner, family member or a friend you are sharing the same room can hear. Teeth Sensitivity Teeth grinding may lead to teeth sensitivity. Youmay experience sensitivity in your teeth and gums any time you take acold or hot drink or food. This can be a sign that your enamel is worn out due to teeth grinding. Headaches, Migraine, and Earaches This is another symptom caused by muscle tension brought about teeth grinding. TMJ Temporomandibular Joint Inflammation (TMJ) is a painful condition that is characterized by inflammation in the joints that holds the lower jaw in place. The surrounding tissue can become inflamed as well as causing discomfort, pain, and swelling. Treatment for Teeth Grinding Treatment for teeth grinding majorly depends on the cause. If it’s due to anxiety, stress, sleep disorder or lifestyle factors, it is important to have a dentist evaluate you. The dentist can develop a treatment plan that is specially designed for you. The other best way of controlling teeth grinding is by wearing occlusal appliance. These appliances have different names including night guards, occlusal splints, bruxism appliances and bite plates. They are custom made in a way that they can fit your top or bottom teeth. The appliances are normally worn at night time. Gum Disease Gum disease is an infection of the tissues that surround and support your teeth. It is one of the major cause of tooth loss. Numerous studies have found that stress can lead to gum disease. It is known that stress lowers an individual’s immune system. Prolonged stress can lead to chronically elevated levels of the stress hormone known as cortisol, which contributes in weakening the immune system. When the immune system weakens, the body becomes vulnerable to the action of bacteria from plaque to invade the gums. Some of the warning signs of gum disease include bleeding, swollen and inflamed gums. It is vital that you visit your dentist as soon as you realize you are suffering from gum disease. The sooner you have treated the better the chances of saving your tooth. The early stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. At this stage, your gums will be swollen, red and bleed easily. At this early stage, the condition can be reversed by a professional dentist through cleaning followed by daily brushing and flossing. The advanced level of gum disease is known as periodontitis. It is a condition that affects more than 47% of people over the age of 30 in Australia. It can lead to loss of bone tissue surrounding the teeth and can become severe leading to tooth loss if left untreated. Common features of periodontitis include rapid loss of bone and tissue and may occur in the entire mouth or some specific areas. Research about periodontitis is still ongoing, but some studies associate it with some chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. It is very possible to suffer from gum disease without any warning signs especially if you are under stress. That is why is important that you visit your dentist regularly. Mouth Ulcers Stress is one of the main cause of mouth ulcers also known as canker sores,with an average 20% of all adults expected to experience stress related mouth ulcers at one stage in their lives. Additionally, up to 40% of kids under the age of 11 are more likely to experience mouth ulcers due to low immunity. Epidemiological studies have shown that mouth ulcers are most common in women especially those

It is an unfortunate reality that as we age our bodies begin to deteriorate and it becomes more important to monitor our health. In addition to monitoring the overall health of our bodies, we must also monitor our oral health as adults, especially over the age of 60, are more vulnerable to a range of dental conditions. The first step of maintaining your dental healthby being aware of the most common dental conditions that affect people of this age group. In this article, we are going to take a look at some common dental conditions in adults over 60. Contents 1. Gum Disease 2. Tooth Decay 3. Oral Cancer 4. Tooth Loss 5. Teeth Discoloration 6. Dry Mouth 7. Reduced Sense of taste 8. Tooth Sensitivity Bottom Line 1. Gum Disease Gum disease is one of the most common diseases that affects adults over the age of 60 in Australia and the world at large. It is estimated that a third of people who have attained the age of 60 will suffer gum disease at some point. Gum disease is defined as a bacterial infection that is caused due to thebacterial accumulation of dental plaque on the teeth. If you are suffering from gum disease, your gums may bleed while you are brushing and you may suffer from bad breath. Two types of gum disease includes gingivitis and Periodontitis. – Gingivitis Gingivitis is an early sign of gum disease where the patient’s gums become swollen, red and bleed easily. Gingivitis is caused by the build-up of dental plaque. It mostly affects the surface layer of the tooth, particularly where the tooth meets the gum. At this stage, this condition can be reversed since the connective tissues, and the bone that holds the teeth in position are not yet infected. – Periodontitis If gingivitis is not treated, it may progress to a more severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. A periodontal disease which also known as periodontitis is the inflammation of tissues that surrounds a tooth and affects the gums. In severe form of periodontitis, it can result in the loss of bone that supports the tooth. This results to the tooth becoming loose or even worse causing tooth loss. The loss of bone and the supporting structures can result in the formation of pockets between the tooth and the gum. The depth of the pocket depicts the severity of the destructive process. In adults over the age of 60, the depth of the pocket can go up to 4+ mm. This pockettrap more plaque that cannot be reached using a toothbrush. With time this tartar and plaque will build up causing further irritation. Signs of Periodontitis Include: – Swollen gums – Bleeding gums – Persistent bad breath – Pus between the gum and the tooth – Tenderness when biting – Receding gums- This is where the gum line shrinking away from the tooth thus making the teeth look longer – A bad taste in the mouth In the event that you notice any of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your dentist. A dentist can be able to remove hardened tartar and plaque and walk you through on how to provide proper care to your teeth. Seek the advice of a dentistIf you find that you cannot clean your teeth properly due to dentures or due to irregularities on your teeth. It is important to keep the surfaces of your gum and teeth clean to prevent gum disease. Factors that you Risk of Gum Disease includes: Smoking Smoking reduces the amount oxygen in the blood that reaches the tissues. It also weakens your body’s immune system making it difficult to fight infections. In addition, smokers have more plaque compared to non-smokers, and this makes them more prone to gum disease. Statistics have it that smoking causes around a third of all gum disease in Australia. Diabetes Diabetes is another major factor that causes gum disease to adults over the age of 60. It reduces your body’s resistance to all infections including oral infections. Ethnic background and Genetic Susceptibility Other people appear to be more prone to gum disease than others due to their ethnic background and genetic susceptibility. This could be due to differences in diet between different cultures. It is important to remember that the more gum disease stays untreated, the more serious it becomes. So it is important to visit your dentist as soon as you notice any early signs of the disease. Also, clean your gums and teeth daily by brushing and flossing gently. 2. Tooth Decay Tooth decay is perhaps one of the most common dental condition experienced by people over the age of 60. Tooth decay is a deteriorating dental condition that results from the breakdown of tooth enamel. The destruction of the tooth enamel can lead to holes forming on the surface of the teeth more commonly referred to as cavities. Tooth decay is often caused by oral hygiene practiced and the dietary choices. Most of the food that we consume contain lots of sugar and starch. When these foods are left on the surface of the teeth, a sticky substance known as plaque combines with the bacteria that leaves in the mouth. This combination produces an acidic substance that damages the tooth enamel leading to decay. If cavities are left untreated, they can grow larger affecting the deeper layers of your teeth. Symptoms of Tooth Decay Tooth decay may not be painful, but if you have dental carries you may experience the following: Toothache A toothache can be either a continuous pain that keeps you awake or occasional sharp pain without any obvious cause. Tooth Sensitivity You may feel pain or tenderness when drinking or eating something cold, hot or sweet. – Bad breath – Grey, black or brown spots appearing on your teeth – Tooth sensitivity – Visible pits or holes in your teeth – Pain when you bite down What Causes Tooth Decay? Tooth decay causes cavities.

Are you dreading your next dentist appointment? Does the simplethought of visiting the dentist give you creeps? Well, you are not alone. We all at some point experienced a certain amount of anxiety at the thought of visiting the dentist. Most of our fears about visiting the dentist are due to spooky stories we have heard from the time we were young. Nothing bugs more than when people try to come up with stories to try and scare others. Perhaps digging out the truth behind such dental misconceptions will help us cope with the ridiculous dental fears better. Here are some common dental misconceptions. 1. Brushing Your Teeth is enough While brushing your teeth is important in controlling the development of plaque and other dental bacteria growth, it is certainly not enough to maintain proper dental hygiene. Brushing, when done the right way, it only clears 70% of the mouth. Brushing can only clean the surface of the teeth but cannot properly clean the inner part as flossing does. Flossing is an integral part of oral hygiene regime. 2. The More sugary Foods You Eat, The Higher Your Risk of Getting Cavities There is no any direct correlation between the amount of sugary foods an individual takes and the probability of developing a cavity. While it is true that sugar erodes the tooth enamel after it converts to acid, the quantity of sugar an individual eats is irrelevant. Where tooth decay is connected, eating one cookie is just the same as eating two cookies or even three. 3. Sugars are The Prime Cause behind Tooth Decay Sugar is not the only factor that is responsible for tooth decay; there are several other culprits behind your decaying or rotting tooth. Apart from sugary foods, other foods responsible for tooth decay include curbs such as rice, potatoes, and bread. Instead of taking these foods without control, it is important that you eat in balanced proportion. 4. Cavities are The Primary Cause for Tooth Lose In most cases, cavities are always blamedfor being the main reason for tooth loss, but this is not true. A periodontal disease which is also known as gum disease isactually the leading cause of tooth loss. The main reason behind this is because periodontal disease makes the teeth to lack support thus making itto loosen and eventually fall out. Tooth loss can be such a devastating experience. Visit your dentist as soon as possible if you happen to lose your teeth due to any. 5. You Can’t See a Dentist While Pregnant This is a pure misconception among a majority of people. However, it is important for pregnant women to continue with proper dental care while pregnant and visit their dentist regularly for check-ups. Failure to maintain proper dental hygiene can lead to pregnancy complications. Just make sure that you mention about your pregnancy to your dentists during the visits. He or she will take all the necessary measures to protect your unborn child while at the same time provide proper oral hygiene to you. Bottom Line Outlined above are just but a few misconceptions that people have about dental hygiene. It is amazing how people easily accept them as plain truth without contesting. It is always good to dig out the truth to help you control some of your dental fears. If you have any question about your oral hygiene, make sure that you ask your dentist to clarify during your next visit. Don’t let dental misconception deter you from keeping your teeth healthy.