STRESS & ORAL HEALTH

Dr. Linda Niessen — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:53:02 GMT

If you are stressed out about the credit crisis or the stock market, you could be hurting your teeth and gums. Really. How are they related? Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry joins us to talk about stress hormones, grinding and clenching. Welcome back. This sounds alarming.

It can be. And most people don't realize how stress and anger can affect their oral health. These strong emotions set off a chain of events that even include gum disease. Let's see how.

For years, dentists have connected the two problems: stressed out patients who also have gum disease.

“Their immune systems are stressed out," said periodontist Dr. Jackie Plemons. "They can’t fight infection as well.”

In the Journal of the American Dental Association, Harvard University researchers reported that men who are angry on a daily basis had a 43 percent higher risk of developing periodontitis, an infection of the bones that hold the teeth in.

“In this particular study, they looked at men who experienced anger more frequently in their lives.”

Anger causes the body to release stress hormones, which depress the immune system and increase resistance to insulin.

“And in a patient under stress, we have more of those chemicals and more of challenge in maintaining periodontal health.”

Other risk factors play a role. If you smoke, you have a much greater risk of developing periodontal disease than a non-smoker. Diabetes also increases the risk.

Signs of Gum Disease

The signs of gum disease are red, swollen or tender gums; gums that bleed when you brush; bad breath that doesn’t go away; loose teeth; or a change in the way the teeth fit together.

Besides gum disease, stress and anger can cause daytime and nighttime grinding. You may not even know you're doing it. You may find yourself clenching your teeth--even while you sleep. Sore jaws when you wake up in the morning may be a sign you are clenching your teeth all night.

FAQ on Gum Disease

Question: What should people do if they think stress and anger might be causing problems?

Dr. Niessen: Make an appointment with your dentist. For bleeding gums, your dentist can prescribe a special mouth wash. For grinding and clenching, you may need a night guard that you wear when you sleep.
Question: What are the signs of grinding or clenching besides sore jaws?

Dr. Niessen: If you have cracked a tooth recently, or if you notice your teeth getting shorter over time, or you hear a clicking sound in your jaw joints, you could be suffering from bruxism. That's a medical term for grinding.

STORY: STRESS & ORAL HEALTH
SCRIPT # 890
AIRDATE: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
Writer/Producer/Director: Sara Ivey
DHC MASTER #21

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First Oral Exam

Dr. Linda Niessen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:10:16 GMT

Both pediatricians and dentists agree on WHEN young children need their FIRST dental exam. The American Academy of Pediatrics has adopted the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists.

Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry joins us to tell us just how early that visit should be. And doctor, the answer may surprise many parents.

Many moms and dads think the first visit should include x-rays and a cleaning. That’s not the case. The first visit should be mostly for fun and information.

By age one, every child needs to see a dentist for an oral exam. Young Josh is 16 months old and going to his first appointment.

“Actually, my 4 ½ year old, and my 3 year old just made their first visit to the dentist," said Angela Magers. "And shame on me, they just did that this week.”

Dr. Robert Morgan told Dental Health Check, “The guideline is you need to show up at the pediatric dentist or family dentist within a few months of the eruption of the first tooth.”

Dr. Morgan is a pediatric who believes the first visit is as much for the parents as it is for the young patient.

“We’re going to take a quick history of the family," continued Dr. Morgan. "We’re looking for pathology disease such as cavities; tongue-tied; missing teeth, abnormal teeth, eruption patterns. How we care for the baby teeth significantly affects the permanent teeth.”

The first oral exam checks for early tooth decay, often caused by going to sleep with a bottle of milk or formula.

"After you eat or drink anything, for 20 minutes you make decay. Because that’s about how long it takes for saliva to dilute the food.”

The first trip to the dentist should be fun. The baby can sit in mom’s lap. There are likely to be no x-rays, and no cleaning.

Dr. Morgan added, “The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists says you start brushing teeth when they show up. Use a soft, bristle brush with a small head and small handle. When you have an infant, you just want to brush the teeth. I don’t care if you go back and forth, or if you go up and down, or if you go in a circle. First eruption of the teeth happens somewhere between six and 12 months, but certainly by 12 months of age, you should visit your dentist.”

Any discoloration including white spots on your child’s teeth be a sign of decay. And because tooth decay is an infection that does not does not get better on its own. You should take your child to the dentist as soon as possible at any age.

When should parents get a child to drink from a cup and give up the bottle?

The recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists is by ONE YEAR.

For inquiries:

Dr. Robert Morgan, Pediatric Dentist
375 Municipal, #104
Richardson, TX
972-669-3663

Video of the Broadcast:

STORY: FIRST ORAL EXAM
SCRIPT #881
DATE: Saturday, June 7, 2008
DHC #26 Timecode:
Writer/Producer/Editor: Sara Ivey

Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen

STRESS & ORAL HEALTH

First Oral Exam