Stress and Tooth Damage

If you’ve been under a lot of stress lately, your mouth may be paying the price. We at Dr. Lis Bradley’s dental office would never want to make patients’ anxiety worse, but it is important for them to understand that allowing stress to go untreated has harmful consequences for the body, including the teeth.

There are two ways that stress can cause damage to the teeth: through primary occlusal trauma, caused by bite force, and secondary occlusal trauma, caused by infection. Primary occlusal trauma may arise from habits such as nighttime teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Although enamel is a tough substance and the back teeth can withstand tremendous force, constant wear can crack or chip them. Secondary occlusal trauma occurs when gum disease has progressed to the point that the ligaments holding teeth in place are no longer able to provide them with the necessary support. When people are under stress, their immune system produces fewer white blood cells, reducing their ability to combat gum infections. There is also evidence that cortisol, a hormone produced when the body is under stress, indirectly stimulates gum inflammation.

Of course, people who are under stress tend to also neglect their oral hygiene. We want our patients to know that we can help treat periodontal disease and repair dental damage. But it is important to remember that mental self-care is important for maintaining every bodily system.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit Lis Bradley or call 615-778-0810.

 

Tooth Decay in Seniors

Patients can count on us for lifelong dental care at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood office. According to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay in seniors is far too common. Estimates for the number of people over sixty-five with untreated caries are as high as one in five. We believe that education is one of the best means of combatting this scourge.

Many seniors with tooth decay are people who had healthy teeth earlier in life. While their lack of access to fluoridated water during their formative years makes them more vulnerable to decay, the fact that their health worsened implies something changed in their oral hygiene practice. Some common problems are limited dexterity, which makes brushing and flossing difficult, as well as switching to foods that are sticky and high in sugar. Many seniors also take medications which cause dry mouth as a side effect. This makes them more vulnerable to oral infections because saliva is one of the most important means by which the body removes food debris.

With the expertise of Dr. Bradley’s team, all of these problems are fixable. There are many home dental products designed for people with limited dexterity we can recommend, as well as means of keeping the mouth moisturized. We also accept CareCredit health care financing, providing seniors with another way of covering their 6-month check-ups.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

Acid Reflux

One of the biggest threats to oral health is acid reflux. Dr. Lis Bradley regularly treats patients who have lost tooth enamel to this disease but we want to raise awareness of it so patients will know how to recognize and prevent it.

Acid reflux is the result of the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus opening and allowing acid up a patient’s digestive tract. In the esophagus, acid causes the painful sensation of heartburn, as well as ulcers. If it reaches as far as the mouth, the upper back teeth will usually be the worst affected. The damage of acid reflux occurs in stages, with the teeth taking on an appearance that is frosted and glazed before developing pits and cracks and losing their cusps.

To prevent acid reflux, patients should reduce their consumption of acidic, alcoholic, and caffeinated beverages, as wells as foods that are high in acid and fat. They should also avoid eating large meals before lying down and try to maintain better posture. Fluoride treatments can help protect teeth from acid reflux, but nothing can regrow lost enamel. However, fillings and partial crowns can be used to restore damaged teeth.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.