How Stress Affects Oral Health

Dec 21st, 2018
Easton Dentists Dec 21st, 2018

Most of our patients know a thing or two about stress. Whether you’re dealing with chronic stress, or a brief stressful life circumstance, we all encounter it from time to time. Most people associate stress with heart attacks or ulcers, but do you know how stress can affect your oral health?

Stress may negatively affect your oral health in indirect ways.

For starters, stress can cause folks to reach for coping strategies that aren’t so good for your teeth (or the rest of your body).

Junk food, sweets, cigarettes, or alcohol are just a few examples. When these substances interact with your teeth, they can do a lot of damage in the way of gum disease and tooth decay.

Secondly, when we are stressed, we tend to stop making positive health behaviors a priority. Let’s say you’re in the hospital after a car accident; your brushing and flossing routine will not be forefront on your mind.

Even a minor bout of stress from a tough day can have us reaching for our cozy bed and some relieve instead of taking the time to brush first.

And of course, keeping up with routine dental visits may fall completely off our priority list while under stress. This can prevent us from finding the early signs of decay and can cause more pain and stress later on.

How does stress affect our mouths directly?

Well, lots of folks grind their teeth as a physical way to deal with stress. You may be doing it without even realizing it! Ask a partner or someone who knows you well to tell you if you have this habit. Many of our patients benefit from wearing a mouth guard at night to protect against the damage of grinding their teeth. It protects wear and tear damage and alleviates muscle tension from the forces exerted when tightly clenching your jaw.

Also, when we are stressed we have higher levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, that put our body in a “flight or fight” state. This causes our blood pressure and blood sugar to increase, and our digestive and immune function to decrease. When our immune system isn’t functioning as it should, this can make periodontal disease more likely. It can also slow down the healing of other oral issues or injuries we may have.

What can you do about it?

The best thing you can do to prevent the stress of oral health issues is to maintain good dental hygiene and visit us regularly for routine visits. We want what’s best for you — and that includes a healthy mouth for a lifetime! Schedule an appointment today!

Effects of Soda on Your Teeth

Jul 23rd, 2018
Easton Dentists Jul 23rd, 2018

Ever seen those videos where someone puts a baby tooth in a glass of soda and watches it decay? Well, the effect of soda in an actual mouth is a bit different.

You have your saliva to help wash away the sugar, you eat other things throughout the day, and brush at least twice a day to remove debris or plaque. Nevertheless, soda is not something we recommend you consume more often than a once-in-awhile treat. Here’s why:

 

1. Sugar

Soda has an extremely high sugar content. The bacteria that cause tooth decay feed off of sugar and excrete acid, which is what causes tooth decay. The more sugar our teeth have to interact with, the more prone to decay they will be.

 

2. Acid

Think diet soda is a better alternative? Even though it contains zero sugar, it can still contain acids such as phosphoric acid or citric acid. Acid eats away at a tooth’s enamel and leaves it prone to decay.

 

3. Colors

Caramel color, Yellow 5, etc. Any type of artificial coloring can cause tooth-staining. If you prefer your teeth sparkling white, it’s best to stay away from soda.

 

Alternatives!

Instead of soda, we recommend spicing up your daily beverages with other alternatives. How about some sparkling water or plain water infused with fresh fruit?

When you do drink soda, make sure to rinse with water afterwards. And, as always, keep up with regular brushing and flossing to protect those precious teeth!

What to Do When You Crack a Tooth

May 21st, 2018
Easton Dentists May 21st, 2018

Ouch!

Chomp on something your tooth didn’t like? Or get hit in the mouth with a hockey puck?

If you think you may have a cracked tooth, or if you’re holding a piece of your tooth in your
hand, follow these steps!

1. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at 614-414-0111. Let us know about your emergency and we will make our best effort to see you right away! We always try to hold some appointments open for these occasions.

2. If there are tooth fragments that have fallen out, preserve them in a clean container with a moist solution (cold mik, water, saliva), and bring them in to your appointment.

3. Apply a cold pack to your jaw to lessen any pain and swelling.

4. If bleeding, bite down on a gauze pad or a moist tea bag until bleeding stops.

It is also possible to have a cracked tooth and not know it.

If you have any pain when biting down, or when eating something hot or cold, it’s best to get it checked out.

In order to prevent further damage to the tooth or an infection, it’s very important to correct a cracked tooth immediately. Don’t wait until the pain is unbearable. Let us help right away!

Reasons You May Have A Dry Mouth

Jan 29th, 2018
Easton Dentists Jan 29th, 2018

We all know drinking enough water is good for our health. And when you’re feeling parched, there’s nothing better than a tall drink of ice-cold water to dampen that dry mouth of yours.

But what do you do when you find yourself constantly needing to wet your whistle?

There are numerous reasons you could be suffering from dry mouth. Below are the top five.

Physiologic
Sometimes having a dry mouth is just a normal part of life. Temporary anxiety, open-mouthed
breathing, mild dehydration, menopause, pregnancy, and decreased saliva due to sleep are all
normal causes of dry mouth.

Prescription medication
Sixty-three percent of the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. are known to cause dry mouth. And the higher the number of medications a person takes, the higher the chance of dry mouth. That’s why as we age, we tend to experience more instances of dry mouth. It’s not necessarily age-related, but our consumption of medication may cause this side effect.

Habitual use of alcohol and tobacco
Use of any of these products will dry out the oral cavity.
Please drink in moderation, and make sure to up your water intake when you imbibe. As for tobacco, we always recommend quitting as soon as possible.

Chronic Disease
Diabetes, Sjogren’s disease, Sarcoidosis, Hepatitic C can all cause dry mouth.

Psychogenic or Idiopathic
When symptoms are present without an identifiable cause (idiopathic), or because of psychological causes (psychogenic), they can be difficult to diagnose.

If you find yourself with a persistent, unidentifiable case of dry mouth, you should make an appointment. Call us at 614-414-0111 or request an appointment online.

Figuring out which one is causing your dry mouth is so important because a dry mouth has a big effect on your dental health. Saliva is so important for swishing away bacteria.

The dryer the mouth, the more prone you are to cavities, bad breath, and gingivitis. We recommend visiting us at 4030 Easton Station, Suite 250, Columbus, OH 43219 or your doctor for a consultation on why you may be experiencing a dry mouth.

How Often Should You See the Dentist

Jan 29th, 2018
Easton Dentists Jan 29th, 2018

We love our patients, so we’d be more than happy to see you every day! Alas, we realize that’s not really possible to visit Easton in Columbus, OH everyday, so here are some more realistic guidelines for making appointments.

In general, it all depends on your oral health status and your health history.

For most patients, the optimal frequency to visit the dentist is twice a year. In six months,
enough tartar and plaque can build up to require a dental check-up and cleaning, especially if your dental hygiene isn’t as rigorous as it should be.

For others with gum disease, a genetic predisposition for plaque build-up or cavities, or a
weakened immune system, you’ll need to visit more frequently for optimal care.

Depending on where you fall in those categories, we will prescribe the necessary frequency to keep your optimal health.

It’s important to keep your routine visits with us so that:
• We can check for problems that you might not see or feel.
• We can find early signs of decay (decay doesn’t become visible or cause pain until it reaches more advanced stages).
• We can treat any other oral health problems found (generally, the earlier a problem is found, the more manageable it is).

There you have it! Those are the brass tacks for how often you should schedule an appointment.

Remember, we offer a variety of different hours to make it the most convenient for you!  Mondays and Wednesdays we are here for late appointments, Tuesday and Fridays we start really early, and of course we have lunchtime appointments everyday! If you need to schedule, you can do that request an appointment now!

But if it is not time for your next appointment, don’t let it keep you from stopping in and saying hi whenever you’re in the neighborhood! We are really close to Gahanna, New Albany, Westerville, and all those Easton neighborhoods!  We love seeing your smile!

Choosing the Dental Clinic that’s Right for You

Sep 29th, 2017
Easton Dentists Oct 9th, 2017

Whether it’s time for your yearly checkup and cleaning or you’re experiencing pain and discomfort and need to get to the dentist right away, you’ll want to choose the clinic that’s right for you. Choosing the right clinic involves many considerations, but we’ve outlined two of the most important considerations below.

1. What is the quality of the care you will receive?
This is an extremely important question to ask yourself when you are comparing dental clinics. Your dental health is intimately related to your overall health and you need to make certain that you will receive quality care. Of course, it can be difficult to compare the quality of care at dental practices you have never visited, but it’s worth the effort. We recommend asking friends and family members for recommendations. Or, you might want to check online comments and ratings to see how past patients feel about the clinics you are considering.

2. Is it covered by your insurance?
Dental procedures can be costly, so it’s important to choose a clinic that will accept your dental insurance. If you do not have dental insurance, you’ll need to compare prices and find the clinic that is most affordable for you.

At The Dental Clinic at Easton, our patients are always satisfied with their care and our prices. We work hard to earn glowing recommendations and to live up to the standards of our long-time patients.

5 Signs That Mean You Should See A Dentist

Mar 31st, 2017
Easton Dentists Mar 31st, 2017

You know you should see your dentist regularly, but there are also signs you should see a dentist as soon as possible. If you have any of these experiences, make an appointment for dental services.

1. A Dental Emergency

There are many dental emergencies that require immediate dental care. Some examples include persistent pain in your gums or teeth, an injury to your mouth, and dental appliances that become broken or damaged. Dental visits are more effective than trying home remedies that do not work.

2. Ongoing Issues

Tooth or gum sensitivity, bleeding gums, cavities, and pain when you eat certain foods are signs that you need a dental visit. Another example of an ongoing issue is experiencing pain when you brush or floss your teeth.

3. You Need Dental Work

A cavity may need to be filled, or you have lost a tooth and need a dental implant. Most types of dental work can be accomplished quickly and easily at the dentist’s office.

4. Concern About Your Appearance

If your teeth are stained, discolored, or dull, you do not want to smile or talk to people. A visit to the dentist for teeth whitening is the first step toward self-confidence. If the condition of your teeth is affected by your lifestyle habits, your dentist can recommend changes to keep your teeth healthy and white.

5. You Have Not Seen Your Dentist Lately

Individuals who do not have oral health problems should see a dentist at least twice each year. You can have a professional cleaning and a complete examination. It will also be your opportunity to ask questions about your oral health, and receive useful information.

Twice-annual visits to the dentist are necessary for oral health. However, if you experience any of these other issues, you can make an appointment at any time.

Cold Sore Solutions That Actually Work

Aug 31st, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Cold Sores

Whether you call them cold sores or fever blisters, if you’re among the more than 40% of Americans who regularly experience this inflammatory viral nuisance, you know they’re anything but a joy to deal with. You’ve also probably heard of countless ways to deal with them, from over-the-counter remedies to treatment options that span generations. So what really works?

Well, quite honestly what “works” when it comes to cold-sores, is management.  And, specifically, preventing, treating and eliminating the transmission of this most annoying of viruses. Here is how you do it:

Cold Sore Prevention

The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” is certainly true when it comes to cold sores, so knowing what causes them to surface is key. The number one and number two reasons are a weakened immune system, and exposure to rapidly changing weather. You know what we say here in Ohio: If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes and it will change! So we know about rapidly changing weather! To tackle the weather, always keep your preferred brand of lip moisturizer with sunscreen on hand, or grab one of our exciting flavors here at your next visit, to protect your lips from weather’s effect on your lips. And, to boost your immune system, be sure to get enough sleep and find ways to combat stress in your life. Also, as with most things in life, what’s good for our waistlines is good for our immune system. Here are some good dietary suggestions for cold sore sufferers:

  1. Eat Raw, Alkalizing Foods: Fruits and vegetables are super-good for you. Eat as many of them as you enjoy.
  2. Beef-up On Cruciferous Vegetables: Clinical studies are beginning to suggest that veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kale are of great benefit to cold-sore sufferers. If you don’t naturally like eating some of these, then have some fun exploring new spices until you find the one that helps you eat more of these great veggies.
  3. Avoid Arginine: Cold-sores need the amino acid arginine to grow, so if you can limit the excess intake of this amino acid, you may be able to keep frequent outbreaks at bay. Nuts, chocolate, oats, and some protein shakes are high in arginine, and can be major cold-sore triggers. Even if you can’t give it up cold-turkey (C’mon, we need our chocolate!), even reducing the amount can make a huge difference!

By merely eating well and getting regular rest, you can help yourself avoid several outbreaks a year.

Cold Sore Treatment and Remedies

Preventing a cold sore from appearing is indeed your best medicine, and if you pay attention to what your body tells you, it is possible to dramatically reduce outbreaks. When a cold-sore does gift you with its presence, though, here are a few things you can do to minimize its pain, size and duration.

  1. Ice It! At the first sign of tingling, get thee to an ice cube, wrap it in a paper-towel, and place it on your lip where you feel the cold-sore coming on. Often two back-to-back applications of an ice cube until it melts can dramatically reduce the pain and swelling that accompanies the sore. This is definitely worth the up-front hassle, especially if you have a big day coming in the near future. You don’t wamt the extra burden or discomfort when you should be focusing on what really matters.
  2. Slather It? Not Now, But Later. Cold sores love warm, moist environments, and this is precisely the environment you present to a cold-sore when you slather it in cream for days on end.  You’re best to let it dry out to the point where it is no longer painful, and then begin applying cream or lip balm to minimize splitting. As the cold sore resolves itself, it’s best to keep your lips moist to prevent bleeding, which also aids in the healing at this stage.

Eliminate Transmission of Cold Sores

Avoid sharing food, utensils, towels, toothbrushes (always a good idea to avoid), or any other item that could come in contact with your mouth. Also, be sure to avoid touching the cold sore and then later touching your eyes or genital area.  In fact, your best course of action is to avoid touching your mouth at all during an outbreak, and not again until after the scab has dropped off completely, AND healed over. This can take some weeks, as you know. Kissing, and other aspects of intimacy that involve your mouth should be avoided entirely. Wash your hands often – this cannot be stressed enough to avoid spreading the virus.

Having a cold sore is not the end of the world. Nine out of ten of all people get at least one cold sore in their life, so there is no need to hide in the closet. Understand your triggers, find a solution that works, don’t spread the virus, and stay healthy!

What To Do For Dry Mouth

Mar 24th, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

If you ask any dental clinic Columbus Ohio doctor about dry mouth, the answer always comes down to saliva production. Complaints of a dry mouth are not uncommon among patients that come to Easton Dentists, or any dentist for that matter. We hear this concern quite a bit and would like to address the issue so that you can get on with your life without having to worry about the effects of dry mouth.

dental clinic columbus ohioFirst of all, how do you know if you have a dry mouth? If you do have dry mouth, you probably don’t need this question answered. However, some common symptoms include a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, frequent thirst or feeling the need to constantly wet your mouth, sores in the mouth, cracked lips and sides of the mouth, and bad breathe.

Unfortunately, dry mouth leads to more than an uncomfortable feeling or bad breathe. People who have dry mouth and do not take measures to correct the issue are more likely to experience dental problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and even oral infections.

Saliva plays an important role in both your oral and overall health, so not having enough of it can be problematic. A few ways that saliva keeps our bodies and teeth healthy include:

-Helping to moisten and cleanse our mouths after eating and in between meals

-Promoting digestion (there are enzymes found in saliva that break down food before it moves to the stomach)

-Preventing infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth

When patients do not have enough saliva production, there are many factors that might be causing the issue. Some factors you can control, such as the lifestyle choices listed below. Other factors such as disease and infection require you to work with your doctor to address the root cause and make adjustments where necessary.

Dental Clinic Columbus Ohio & Lifestyle Factors

-Consuming too much alcohol or caffeine

-Smoking

-Chewing tobacco

-Breathing through your mouth

Certain medications are also known to cause dry mouth. Medications used to treat depression, anxiety, allergies, and common colds are among the worst offenders. If you suspect that a medication might be contributing to your dry mouth, talk to your doctor about alternatives.

If you have a dry mouth and it is not caused by disease or medication, what can you do? We give our patients the following list of suggestions when talking about treatment for dry mouth. Try implementing some of these habits and see if your dry mouth doesn’t improve.

What You Can Do

-Use a fluoride toothpaste

-Rinse with fluoride instead of an alcohol based products

-Make a habit of breathing through your nose

-Chew on sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free mints

-Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially between meals

-Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco

If you implement these changes, your issues with dry mouth should resolve fairly quickly. If you continue to struggle with dry mouth and have already talked to your doctor concerning your overall health, schedule an appointment with a dental clinic Columbus Ohio provider such as Easton Dentist. Our staff will be happy to examine your mouth and provide additional advice on how you can cope with dry mouth.

Contact us todayto schedule an appointment!

Should I Get an Electronic Toothbrush or a Manual Toothbrush?

Mar 9th, 2016
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

If you walk into your Columbus dentist office, you will probably see a model electronic toothbrush display somewhere during your visit.

columbus dentistMaybe you’ve been considering using an electronic toothbrush but want to know if it’s the right choice for you. Let’s look at some of the benefits of both the electronic toothbrush, as well as the manual toothbrush and then you can decide for yourself which is better.

The Manual Toothbrush

  • The manual toothbrush model has been around for decades. There really isn’t much to it besides the obvious handle and bristles. Some of the benefits of using a manual toothbrush include:
  • More control over exerted pressure- with a manual brush, you are more easily able to monitor how much pressure you are applying when brushing your teeth. Remember that brushing your teeth should not require a lot of exertion and the pressure you apply should be fairly light.
  • Brushing too hard can lead to the breakdown of tooth enamel and lead to sensitive teeth. Convenient size- manual brushes are small and easy to store. Due to their slender handle, most brushes will fit in any toothbrush case for travel. You don’t have to worry about how to store your brush, as most holders for the bathroom easily accommodate a manual brush.
  • Inexpensive- not only are manual brushes less expensive to purchase, they are also less expensive to maintain. You do not need to worry about buying a charging station or batteries with a manual brush. In fact, most dentist offices provide you with a free brush at each six month cleaning appointment!
  • Lots of styles- manual brushes come in a wide variety of colors and styles. You can choose the type of bristle and head size you want for a more customized approach to brushing.

The Electronic Toothbrush

Electronic toothbrushes starting to gain popularity in the 1990’s and have become mainstream since. With electronic brushes, the bristles rotate and perform the cleaning motion for you. Some benefits of electronic brushes include:

  • Smaller head- the head size of most electronic brushes is smaller than that of a standard manual brush. The smaller head size helps you more easily reach difficult or awkward areas of the mouth.
  • Does the work for you- like we mentioned above, the electronic toothbrush performs the majority of the movement for you. The oscillating bristles allow you to move the brush from tooth to tooth without having to perform much movement on your end.
  • Work better for some people- electronic brushes are more suited for some individuals than others. In particular, children or those who have motor issues. Children tend to do better with electronic brushes because they make brushing fun. Individuals who have a difficult time moving a brush around in their mouth due to motor issues or arthritis also do better with electronic brushes.

Now that you know the benefits of each, the choice is yours! Remember however, manual brushes work just as well as electronic brushes so long as you are brushing for the recommended amount of time (2-3 minutes) and are using proper brushing technique.

If you have more questions about the difference in brushes, just ask us! Call our Columbus dentist office (614) 414-0111 or simply ask a member of the staff next time you’re in. We are always happy to answer your questions and want you to be able to make the best decision based on your needs.