Tag Archives: International District Dentist

Bruxism’s Link to Social Anxiety

The dental community has understood for a long time that stress is a big contributing factor to bruxism, or tooth grinding. If you struggle with social anxiety, you may be at particular risk. This is according to a study conducted by Tel Aviv University, which has demonstrated that interacting with other people can serve as a trigger for tooth grinding if you have social anxiety.

The study examined a group of seventy-five people, representing a mix of men and women in their early thirties. Forty of these people struggled with social phobia, roughly half of these taking medication to treat the condition. The other thirty-five participants did not exhibit any social phobia. After an examination of both their oral health and psychiatry, the researchers found that 42.1% of those with social phobia exhibited moderate-to-severe wear on their teeth as a result from bruxism. This is opposed to the 28.6% exhibited by those without social phobia. Meanwhile, symptoms of waking bruxism were observed in 42.5% of the first group, compared to the mere 3% of the control group.

If you experience social anxiety, it pays to take measures to foster relaxation and avoid bruxism. This, combined with regular visits to our International District dentist, will help to assure the continued health of your teeth.

Do Whitening Toothpastes Work?

There are many toothpastes available that advertise themselves as “whitening” toothpastes. Such products can look appealing, promising to serve as a cost-effective alternative to in-office whitening treatments by gradually restoring your sparkle as you brush. Unfortunately, these toothpastes are not all they may seem to be, and may actually be doing more harm than good.

The next time you’re shopping for your toothpaste, take a closer look at the fine print on the whitening pastes. You will probably notice that it qualifies its whitening power by saying that it “removes surface stains”. What this means is that it is preventing new stains from forming by removing staining pigments before they settle, while stains that have already settled remain untouched.

The truth is that, even if a toothpaste was strong enough to remove stains from your teeth, the two minutes you spend brushing is not enough time for it to do any good. In fact, any bleaching elements in your toothpaste are probably only serving to make the product more abrasive on your gums. If you want a safe and effective way to restore the pearly-white of your teeth, talk to our International District dentist.

Dental Care After a Stroke

Suffering a stroke is never a pleasant experience. Afterward, you will have to take special measures to assure that your health does not decline. Indeed, even your dental health can suffer as the result of a stroke. If you or someone you love has recently undergone a stroke, keep the following in mind:

Firstly, be sure to tell our International District dentistry clinic of any medication your doctor gives you following your stroke. Anticoagulants are a common concern in such situations, since they bring about excessive bleeding during dental procedures. If your stroke compromises your memory, you may also benefit from having your dentist write your instructions down for you following your appointments.

At home, you may find that you have trouble brushing. If your grip is weaker or your fine motor skills have been affected, you may benefit from making use of an electric toothbrush or a special flossing tool. Alternatively, try wrapping your brush in extra padding to make it easier to hold on to. Contact Sixth Avenue Dentistry for more information.

The Problems with Oral Jewelry

If you have a piercing on your lip, tongue, or cheek, you will need to take special care with your oral hygiene. Oral piercings entail a certain degree of additional risk for your teeth and gums.

One of the big problems with oral jewelry is that it is hard, and one misstep can be disastrous for your mouth. Biting down on a piece of metal has the potential to crack a tooth. A barbell-style tongue stud poses a particular risk in this regard. Half of people sporting such a tongue adornment will suffer at least one chipped tooth after only four years.

Even if you don’t bite down on your jewelry, it will often rub up against your teeth and gums, breaking down your enamel and cutting up your fragile tissues. Meanwhile, since it is offering yet another place for oral bacteria to hide and flourish, the damage it does is going to be subject to bacterial infections.

If you choose to wear oral jewelry, consider choosing pieces that will be minimally invasive. Further, be sure to remove your jewelry periodically for cleaning. Finally, never miss your regular appointments with our South Seattle dentist.

Does Bad Oral Health Lead to Dementia?

Good oral health results in more than just freedom from tooth decay and gum disease. Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body, and therefore has an important aspect on your health in general. This even applies to your mental health.

According to a study from the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry, bad oral health may contribute to the development of dementia. Researchers examined tissue samples from twenty different brains, ten taken from people with healthy brains and ten from people who suffered from dementia. Four of the brains with dementia showed signs of a certain bacteria known to thrive in gum disease.

More research is needed on the subject, but it remains clear that your mouth has a significant connection to your brain. So, for the sake of both your mouth and your mind, remember to maintain regular appointments with our International District dentist.