Summer and Dental Health

Summer fun has begun! – from playing sports to enjoying cold, sweet beverages – that could adversely impact the health of your teeth. Your family dentist encourages you to be proactive this summer to make sure you keep your teeth healthy. Here are three specific things you can do:

• Eat “cleansing” foods. Apples, pears, and carrots are good choices, as they contain fiber and help to refresh and clean the mouth as they wash away bacteria and sugar from your teeth. Celery is good too. You can also protect your teeth with dietary protein – such as cheese, nuts and lunch meats – to help guard against acid that eats away at your tooth enamel.
• Take it easy on the sweets. Not that you can’t have any sweets at all. Your family dentist knows that wouldn’t be fun! But practicing moderation would be a smart choice. Eating sweets in one sitting (such as during your meals) rather than constantly snacking on them throughout the day would be a good choice. This limits the amount of sugar that you consume – sugar that if over-consumed can then lead to cavities, plaque and a loss of enamel.
• Drink water. Yes, nothing beats water to hydrate you in the summer. Plus water washes out bacteria and acid in your mouth and stimulates saliva production. For times when you would like another alternative to water, consider juicing your own fresh fruits and vegetables to make for tasty beverages. Fresh juice is much better for you than soft drinks or the sugary juices you get in the stores. If you absolutely have to drink a sugary beverage though, use a straw (as straws help to keep sugar away from the teeth) and rinse your mouth out with water once you’ve finished your beverage.

Of course, even though your schedule may get off course at times due to summer activities, that’s no reason to skimp on your bedtime brushing routines. Don’t forget to brush and floss each night – even if you’ve had a long day!

And if you’re due for a summertime check-up, don’t put that off either.  That’s right – we don’t take the summer off! So if you need a dental procedure or just a check-up, why not make an appointment today? In the meantime, have a safe and healthy summer!

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

How Stress Affects Your Oral Health

Excess stress may give you a headache, a stomachache, or just a feeling of being "on 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 of teeth and teeth grinding (bruxism)
• Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating routines
• Periodontal (gum) disease or worsening of existing periodontal disease

So how can you prevent these oral health problems?

Mouth Sores

Canker sores -- small ulcers with a white or grayish base and bordered in red -- appear inside the mouth, sometimes in pairs or even greater numbers. Although experts aren't sure what causes them -- it could be immune system problems, bacteria, or viruses -- they do think that stress, as well as fatigue and allergies, can increase the risk of getting them. Canker sores are not contagious.
Most canker sores disappear in a week to 10 days. For relief from the irritation, try over-the-counter topical anesthetics. To reduce irritation, don't eat spicy, hot foods or foods with a high acid content, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits.
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that often appear on or around the lips, but can also crop up under the nose or around the chin area.
Emotional upset can trigger an outbreak. So can a fever, a sunburn, or skin abrasion.
Like canker sores, fever blisters often heal on their own in a week or so. Treatment is available, including over-the-counter remedies and prescription antiviral drugs. Ask your doctor or dentist if you could benefit from either. It's important to start treatment as soon as you notice the cold sore forming.

Teeth Grinding

Stress may make you clench and grind your teeth -- during the day or at night, and often subconsciously. Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism.
If you already clench and grind your teeth, stress could make the habit worse. And, grinding your teeth can lead to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located in front of the ear where the skull and lower jaw meet.
See your doctor and ask what can be done for the clenching and grinding. Your dentist may recommend a night guard, worn as you sleep, or another 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 habits such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
If you don't take care of your mouth, your teeth and overall oral health can suffer. If you already have gum disease, skipping daily hygiene may worsen the problem. If your mouth is in relatively good health, falling short on these healthy mouth habits can lead to gum disease or increase your risk of cavities.
When 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.
Just reminding yourself of the importance of hygiene and healthy eating may help. Boosting or resuming your exercise routine can help you relieve stress and feel energized enough to tend to your oral hygiene and cook healthier meals. Exercise will also boost your immune system -- and that, too, is good for your oral health.

Gum Disease

Stress can cause an increase in dental plaque, even when the high stress levels are short-term. That's according to a study that evaluated people who cared for loved ones with dementia and who experienced stress.
Long-term, the stress these caregivers felt boosted their risk of bleeding gums, or gingivitis, which can progress to serious gum disease.
Stress can lead to depression. You can't make depression or the stress disappear, of course. But experts say that learning healthy coping strategies can help reduce the risk of gum problems getting worse. Healthy coping is "problem-focused" with active and practical strategies to deal with the stress and depression, experts say.
Remember, eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help reduce your risks of periodontal disease. Make sure you brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Antibacterial mouth rinses also help reduce plaque-causing bacteria.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our web

site at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!