Dental Plan Blog

Are you stressed? Your gums can tell

Everyone gets stressed, it’s an inevitable part of American life. Also, most of us know it can have a negative impact on our mental, physical and social well-being. But did you know that stress can negatively impact on our oral health as well?

Stress, whether at work or at home, can cause a variety of oral health complications including:

• Bruxism (i.e. teeth grinding)
• Canker sores
• Dry mouth
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Lichen planus (characterized by white lines, sores and ulcers in the oral cavity)
• TMJ/TMD
• Gum disease—Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems. This increases our susceptibility to various infections, such as the ones responsible for periodontal disease.

Do you suffer from any of these problems? Or have you just been stressed lately and perhaps worried these problems could crop up soon?

If so, it’s vital that you talk to your dentist and work together to develop healthy habits.

 Here are 3 steps you can take to decrease stress and improve your oral health:

• When you’re feeling stressed, don’t forget your oral health. Instead, take time to focus on your dental hygiene regimen.
• Don’t use tobacco or alcohol as stress relief vehicles. In addition to being highly addictive, these substances can cause significant damage to your oral cavity.
• Take proper measures to reduce stress in your life such as eating well, getting a full night’s sleep and exercising regularly

Last but not least, if you’re worried that stress is affecting your teeth and gums, call your dentist for an appointment. He or she can treat stress-related dental problems and offer suggestions for better at-home care.

Need help finding a dentist? Universal Dental Plan can help you locate one close by from our growing network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists. Call us today at 617-859-1777 and join our affordable dental plan for deep 20-50% savings on all procedures.

Top 5 Tips for Senior Dental Care

Our smiles are made to last a lifetime and proper dental hygiene has a huge impact on the health of your mouth and body, whether you’re 5 or 85. However, as we get older, we become more susceptible to oral health problems such as periodontal disease, inflammation of the gum tissue, dry mouth syndrome (often caused by medications) and oral thrush just to name a few.

It’s plain to see that taking care of your oral health in your golden years comes with several unique considerations. Here are 5 essential tips for seniors to keep healthy teeth and gums (and ultimately healthy bodies).

 

#5 Keep consistent with your at home oral health care regiment: This means keep brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash as instructed by your dentist to maintain proper dental hygiene.

If brushing and flossing are difficult for you, consider using an apparatus such as a tongue depressor to lengthen your brush or flossing tool. Also, if you suffer from arthritis or a similar condition, you may want to try inserting the back end of your toothbrush into a standard tennis ball for better maneuverability.

#4 Know the warning signs to prevent harmful conditions: Elders are generally more susceptible to many major oral health problems including gum disease, tooth loss, TMJ, dry mouth syndrome and oral cancer and should be on the lookout for key signs and symptoms. Symptoms to watch out for include, swelling of the gums, teeth sensitivity, loose teeth, jaw soreness, persistent mouth sores and bumps or an unquenchable thirst. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your dentist right away for diagnosis and treatment (if you live in Massachusetts and need help finding affordable dentistry, we can certainly help).

#3 Maintain dental appliances such as dentures and dental bridges properly: Contrary to popular belief, a set of dentures won’t last you 20 plus years. The ADA recommends replacing them every 5-7 years to avoid painful consequences such as mouth sores, oral lesions and difficulty chewing/swallowing/digesting food.

For denture wearers, we’ve put together 4 helpful tips to keep them in excellent shape and maintain oral health.

#2 Talk to your dentist about any medication you’re taking as dry mouth syndrome is a common side effect of many Rx drugs. For dry mouth sufferers, dentists can prescribe an array of solution such as an artificial saliva rinse to keep your mouth moist and wash harmful bacteria away.

#1 Visit your dentist as often as he or she recommends for regular checkups: Even if you wear dentures, it’s still vital to visit your dentist twice-yearly per-ADA recommendation. On top of keeping your mouth in tip top shape, your dentist can alert you of developments in your mouth that point to problems elsewhere in your body or pick up on early signs of improper jaw alignment or poor nutrition which may become problematic down the road.

Want more advice on senior dental care? Universal Dental Plan is out on tour this year with a full presentation on the importance of oral health and hygiene in the golden years. Sign up here to bring our Golden Smiles Tour to your local council on aging or senior center.

Suffer from jaw pain? You might have TMJ.

Have you ever woken up in the morning with a tight, sore jaw? If you're over 65 you're probably nodding your head as if to say "yes, I have, many times actually".

If you're like most elders, you shrug it off as a sign of aging (after all, you're joints aren't as limber as they used to be) and simply go on with your day. Or you assume it'll just go away like the cold you caught last winter. Sound vaguely familiar? If so then read on.

We all know jaw pain is very uncomfortable and makes it incredibly difficult to enjoy your favorite meal, engage in conversation with good friends or even sleep at night. But, did you know if your jaw hurts, you might also suffer from TMJ?

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint syndrome and approximately 10 million Americans suffer from it. It's caused by excessive strain on the temporomandibular joints and jaw muscles. A lot of people get it from grinding their teeth.

If left untreated, TMJ sufferers will experience significant pain in various parts of their body (not just the jaw and face) and symptoms can actually cause major damage to your neck and back.

So, how do I know if I have TMJ? Here are the 5 hidden symptoms:

1. Headaches and migraines
2. Neck and shoulder pain
3. Depression
4. Sensitive or sore teeth
5. Trouble sleeping

And how do I get rid of all this pain?

If you suffer from jaw pain and the five symptoms above, go to your dentist for a proper diagnosis. The sooner the dentist diagnoses your problem, the sooner you can start working towards a solution and stop TMJ symptoms dead in their tracks.

Can't get to a dentist for several weeks? Here are a few steps you can take today to help you manage your pain:

• Take a non-asprin pain reliever
• Avoid chewing gum
• Eat soft foods
• Apply ice or moist heat to the sides of your face
• Practice relaxation techniques to minimize muscle tension
• Keep stress under control
• Keep good posture

Is the pain of high dental costs keeping you from treating your TMJ? For Massachusetts seniors, Universal Dental Plan has a solution. With our 15% discounted senior plans, you get immediate discounts up to 50% on all procedures. Visit our website and sign up today!