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Some degree of stress is normal and healthy for all of us. Stress helps to motivate our behaviour and achieve tasks throughout the day.  At some point though, when stress levels increase, they change from being helpful to potentially causing damage. The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected us all in many ways, including having a potential impact on our oral health and the forces we place on our teeth from stress. Tooth grinding, also called bruxism, is a common habit which often increases during stressful periods.  Similarly, tooth clenching is often associated with stress.  Many dentists are reporting an increase in the number of patients they are seeing with damage to their teeth as a result of stress and bruxism.

How would I know I’m grinding my teeth?      

Bruxism can occur during the daytime or during sleep, when we may not always be aware we are doing it. The damage from excessive forces on the teeth and jaw joints from bruxism can range from muscular tenderness and cheek biting through to acute pain, cracked or chipped teeth, broken fillings, jaw pain headaches or even a complete fracture of tooth requiring its removal. Longer term negative effects on teeth from bruxism include tooth wear and loss of tooth enamel and dentine or irreversible irritation of the nerve inside of the teeth requiring more advanced dental treatment such as root canal therapy and crowns.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a chronic disorder which can result from too much pressure on the joint connecting the jawbone and the skull. Tightening the muscles, clenching the teeth and grinding contribute to TMJ pain. Book an appointment with your dentist today for an assessment.

What can I do to protect my teeth against stress?

How you take care of your mouth and teeth is the most important factor in reducing your risk of tooth damage and decay. While brushing and flossing regularly won’t directly reduce the impact of stress, they will support your overall oral health.  Having regular dental checks can help to detect and monitor any changes to the health and integrity of your teeth. Your dentist will also be able to guide you in recognising early signs of stress on your teeth and ways to reduce tension in your face and mouth. Your dentist may also recommend preventive treatment such as mouth guards or even help from a physiotherapist to reduce muscular tenderness.

Consider how your body responds to stress and the conscious as well as unconscious ways you are managing tension. Awareness is often the first step towards making positive changes.  Changing your behaviour through relaxation strategies may take some time, but it will be very beneficial.

Tips to reduce stress related tooth damage

There are a number of things you can do to help reduce your risk:

1. Avoid chewing on hard foods and never use your teeth as ‘tools’ to open packages or containers. Ice, pork crackling, nuts, hard lollies and uncooked popcorn can damage your teeth.
2. Be mindful of daytime tooth grinding and triggers which cause you to clench your teeth.
3. Practice mindfulness exercises and deep breathing if you’re feeling stressed. Regular exercise can be a helpful way to reduce stress.
4. See your GP about any underlying sleep disorders like sleep apnoea.
5. Speak with your dentist about wearing a night guard to stop tooth grinding.

 

References

https://bitemagazine.com.au/new-us-survey-finds-stress-related-dental-conditions-continue-to-increase/

https://www.colgate.com.au/oral-health/bruxism/how-to-stop-grinding-teeth-at-night

 

A common goal of dental treatment is to restore the appearance and function of teeth so that they work harmoniously with each other. Teeth have a direct influence on the way we bite, chew and talk as well as how we look. When teeth are damaged or missing, it can result in pain or have a flow-on effect to other areas of our life. It can be impossible to restore the function of teeth that are moderately to extensively damaged with fillings alone and more complex dental treatment becomes necessary. Depending on the individual problem, more advanced dental treatments can help to permanently replace missing teeth with artificial teeth or strengthen and cover existing teeth, so they are protected against further damage.  Dental treatments can also improve the appearance of the teeth and impact self-confidence. Book an appointment with your dentist for guidance on what the best option may be for your dental treatment.

What is a dental crown?

Dental crowns, also commonly known as crowns or caps, are custom made restorations that are placed over weakened, damaged or broken teeth to restore their strength, shape, size, and appearance.

Crowns may be required:

• To protect or prevent teeth that have been weakened by extensive tooth decay from breaking further
• To support a tooth that has cracked or crazed with multiple fine cracks present
• To repair an already broken or severely worn tooth
• Where there is not enough sound tooth structure remaining to support a conventional filling
• To protect an extensively restored tooth
• To cover and improve the appearance of misshapen or severely discoloured teeth
• To strengthen and seal teeth after root canal treatment
• To restore a dental implant
• To help hold a replacement tooth as part of a dental bridge

 

Crowns are commonly made from tooth coloured porcelain or ceramic, though they can also be manufactured from gold or other metal alloys where extra strength is required in the case of patients who may be tooth clenchers or grinders.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge may be recommended when there is one or more teeth missing.  Bridges span the gap caused by missing teeth and help to keep the remaining teeth in their correct position. A special dental cement (adhesive) is used to anchor and attach a bridge to the teeth (or implants) at both ends of the gap. Replacement teeth are attached to the bridge and colour matched to the surrounding teeth.

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from titanium to replace a missing tooth or number of teeth within the jawbone. Titanium implants are inserted into the space in the jawbone left by a missing tooth. A dental crown or bridge can then be attached to an implant. Dental implants are suitable for most healthy adult patients who have good oral hygiene, are free from gum disease and are ideally non-smokers. Implants can only be placed when the jaw has stopped growing and as such are generally not suitable for patients younger than 18 years of age.

What’s important to understand about dental treatments?

Any dental treatment involves careful planning and can include multiple visits. Your dentist will discuss all suitable options with you, including their advantages, disadvantages, alternative options and costs so that you are able to make an informed decision about your dental care. Dental bridges, crowns and implants are designed to last for many years, as long as your oral care at home is well maintained to care for them.

Caring for your teeth starts by:

• Toothbrushing twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing daily. This includes brushing the bridge/crown/implants.
• Having regular dental visits and wearing the implant to appointments so its position can be checked.
• Avoiding biting on hard objects like pencils or ice-cubes and not chewing sticky, hard foods.

References

https://www.colgate.com.au/oral-health/bridges-and-crowns/what-are-dental-crowns-and-tooth-bridges

https://www.colgate.com.au/oral-health/implants/what-are-dental-implants

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-bridge-procedure

 

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) during sleep are signs that there is an interruption to the smooth flow of oxygen into and out of your airways. When snoring, air flows over and past the relaxed structures of the throat, causing the tissues to vibrate. Obstructive sleep apnoea happens when the walls of the throat come together during sleep, blocking the passage of oxygen to the lungs. With OSA the brain will signal that it is not receiving sufficient oxygen, this causes the person to wake up and start to breathe normally again. Sleep apnoea causes increases in the risk of heart attack, stroke and other health issues.

I think I snore…

Booking an appointment with your dentist can help to identify the cause for breathing problems when you’re sleeping. A correct diagnosis may require an overnight sleep study to observe and measure your sleep, breathing and oxygen levels.  While not all people who snore will have sleep apnoea, it’s important to rule this out as a possibility due to its impact on other areas of your health.

Sleep apnoea symptoms

A common symptom of OSA is exhaustion because of the repeated interruption to sleep from waking throughout the night.  Many people don’t realise they have sleep apnoea until their partner complains of their own sleep being disturbed. Snoring and sleep apnoea can have a larger impact on you than just a poor night’s sleep including impacting the health of your teeth and gums.  A dental examination can detect signs of damage to your oral health such as tooth grinding (bruxism) and Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, which causes jaw pain.  Other symptoms of OSA you should be aware of can include waking up in the morning with a headache and sore throat.

Tooth sensitivity and worn or damaged teeth can also be signs of sleep apnoea which your dentist will notice in an examination. Dry mouth can also be a common symptom because of the tendency to mouth breathe. Saliva plays an important protective role against cavities forming and washing away food particles, increasing the risk of tooth decay for people who snore and have OSA. Be sure to mention this symptom to your dentist when you visit them.

How can my dentist help with my snoring or sleep apnoea?

Your dentist may refer you for a sleep study in combination with your GP and if needed, review by an ear, nose and throat specialist to confirm the diagnosis.  Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, cutting back on alcohol, stopping smoking and changes in sleeping position can be helpful, though only to a point. If snoring or sleep apnoea is due to structural causes such as a narrowed airway or nasal congestion, specific treatments may be necessary. Sometimes an oral appliance is recommended to help keep the airway open. This is worn like an orthodontic retainer in the mouth and helps to push the jaw forward and keep the tongue in a normal position.  This combination helps to keep the airway open so there is no compromise to the flow of oxygen. Another option is to use a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airways Pressure) machine to deliver pressurised air continuously which keeps the airways open.

See your dentist if you think you are snoring or are experiencing the symptoms mentioned for sleep apnoea. Taking the next steps towards improving your sleep, oral health and overall health may be as simple as a visit to the dentist.  Book an appointment today.

References

Is Sleep Apnea Or Snoring Robbing You From Your Sleep? | Colgate®

Sleep apnoea – Better Health Channel

 

It’s easier to be aware when other people have bad breath (also known as halitosis), but we can be less aware if we have it ourselves. Bad breath is often a symptom of an underlying health issue, with something else going on in the mouth or gut. Most causes of bad breath can be found easily and appropriate treatments are very effective.

Finding an effective treatment can be easy, but may require a bit of detective work. Bad breath can cause embarrassment, poor confidence and even social isolation in severe cases.  There’s a tendency for people to not comment on the reason for their distancing, making it difficult for the person with bad breath to recognise they have this issue. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to control bad breath and treat its cause.

How can I tell if I have bad breath?

You may have a feeling you have bad breath, based on other people’s behaviour, or just a sense that you do.  A yellow or white coating on the back of the tongue and a dry mouth are often cause for suspicion.  You could also have sensation of burning on your tongue and a foul, bitter taste in your mouth.  Your saliva could also be thick and viscous, rather than watery and tasteless.

What are the causes of bad breath?

Most cases of bad breath are caused by bacteria which produce sulphur. It’s important to know the source of halitosis, which is why it’s essential to have a thorough dental check to identify the cause. There may also be value in having a check-up with your doctor – the combination of professional expertise will help identify the reason and arrange a personalised treatment plan. There’s no need to feel embarrassed, your healthcare professionals will be very keen to support you.

Common causes for bad breath are particular foods such as onion, garlic and sulphur-containing foods like eggs. Common culprits are also cigarettes, alcohol, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene and food build-up on the teeth. Periodontal (gum) disease is a common cause for bad breath. This is where the gums are affected by plaque and bacteria which create toxins. Periodontal disease requires immediate dental treatment.

Some medical conditions such as diabetes and upper respiratory tract infections, including sinus infection, can also lead to bad breath. Gut or gastrointestinal conditions, reflux, constipation and extreme dieting increases the likelihood of bad breath.

 

 

What can be the solution for bad breath?

The best treatment for bad breath depends on its cause. Brushing your teeth carefully at least twice a day, flossing and brushing the tongue make a big difference.  Using an antibacterial toothpaste can help to control the growth of oral bacteria which contributes to bad breath. It’s also important to make an appointment with your dentist and speak with them about your tooth brushing technique.  Often, a little more guidance is needed to ensure tooth brushing and flossing is being done effectively.  Also, check with your dentist about using other cleaning devices such as interproximal brushes (small brushes which fit between the teeth), tongue scrapers and even antiseptic mouth rinses to help control bad breath.

References

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/halitosis-or-bad-breath

https://www.colgateprofessional.com.au/education/patient-education/topics/halitosis/keys-to-controlling-bad-breath

 

Easter is a great occasion to relax, catch up with loved ones and enjoy festive food and treats.  Chocolate, hot cross buns, sweets and cakes all make a special appearance over the Easter long weekend. However, four days of being a little more relaxed with our eating and snacking can affect our oral health if we’re not careful.

A small serve of chocolate contains a high concentration of sugar. Sugar is often combined with fat in treat foods and it’s this partnership that makes food taste so good, causing cravings and weight gain.  The frequency and regularity of eating and snacking can also cause negative effects to tooth health. Eating sugary foods over a long period of time is particularly risky because of the duration of time tooth enamel is exposed to acid attacks.

Five tips to keep your teeth healthy over Easter.

1. Enjoy your sweet treats with meals- not in between- and in moderation. This will help to reduce the frequency of acid attacks on your tooth enamel and boost protective saliva flow.
2. Aim to limit your sugar intake in the weeks before and after Easter. Eat mindfully to offset the sugar peak Easter often brings.
3. Plan activities that aren’t all about food; gifts like pyjamas can also be a great Easter-themed alternative. If you have children, get them involved in creative Easter craft fun and replace chocolate or sugar eggs with wooden or Papier-Mache ones.
4. Try to restrict the amount of sugar coming into your home over the Easter break. It can be very hard to fight off temptation once our focus lands on those shimmery, shiny egg wrappers.
5. Keep up everyday habits of tooth brushing at least twice each day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. Take a little extra time with bedtime brushing – the risk of decay increases when sleeping and saliva flow slows down.

 

 

Key messages

Moderation over the Easter break will not affect enjoyment of this special time and will not negatively affect your oral health. Make an appointment for a dental check up for yourself and your family.

References

https://www.ada.org.au/getattachment/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/Smart-Eating-Week/DHW19_UnderstandingSugar_factsheet.pdf.aspx?lang=en-AU

https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Latest-News/Parents-urged-to-spare-their-kids%E2%80%99-teeth-from-suga

https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Media-Releases/Don%E2%80%99t-be-a-bunny-this-Easter-%E2%80%93-Look-after-your-kid

https://www.colgate.com.au/oral-health/nutrition-and-oral-health/nutrition