ECONOMIC RECESSION MAKES TEETH ACHE....
If you think the current economic slow down is hitting only pockets, think again. An increase in stress-related dental and health problems are the result of high levels of mental stress. The number of clients visiting dentists with toothaches and other dental problems has increased by 20 to 30 percent in the last four months. Mental stress damages dental health. The manifestation of anxiety and tension results in an increase of tooth sensitivity, unexplained toothaches, jaw muscle fatigue and increase in headaches especially in the morning, leaving you with a medical condition called bruxism. Bruxism is a condition characterized by clenching or grinding of teeth. People can clench and grind subconsciously during both the day and night, although sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control. Whether or not bruxism causes pain and other problems may be a complicated mix of factors - how much stress you are under, how long and tightly you clench and grind, whether your teeth are misaligned, your posture, ability to relax, diet, sleeping habits and other factors. Each person is different and whatever the reason is - bruxism can cause: * Teeth grinding, which may be loud enough to annoy sleeping partners * Erosion of tooth enamel * Sore or painful jaw * Headaches * Earaches (partly because the structure of the temporomandibular joint are very close to the ear canal and partly because of referred muscle) * Insomnia, depression, eating disorders etc. So, how do you treat it? The goals of long-term treatment are to reduce pain, prevent permanent damage to the teeth and reduce clenching behaviors as much as possible. Mouth guards (orthotics) have been used since the 1930's to treat teeth grinding, clenching and TMJ disorders. For some patients, the symptoms go away as long as they use the orthotic, but pain returns when they stop. As a next phase after orthotic therapy, orthodontic adjustment of the bite pattern or to rebuild the bite to match the position of the orthotic is beneficial for many people. Since the immediate financial future remains uncertain, seeking treatment from a Neuromuscularly trained dentist now to prevent permanent long term damage, would be a wise treatment.
THE SECRET WITHIN:
What you don't know will hurt you.... Silver fillings, aka amalgam, contain a dark secret that will harm you if it hasn't already! Feeling concerned? Perhaps you should be. Silver amalgam fillings are comprised of silver, tin, zinc, copper and 50% mercury. *The number one source of mercury in most people is dental amalgam fillings. **Mercury vapours escape into your system and become deposited into vital organs such as the brain. **Exposure increases as much as 500% every time you chew gum, drink hot fluids, have acidic liquids/foods and grind your teeth. ***There is a direct correlation between the content of mercury in the brain and the amount of amalgam fillings in the mouth. Studies also indicate that the incidents of Depression, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Neurological conditions were higher in those who have amalgam fillings. There is good news! Mercury free materials are available that are healthy, functional and aesthetically pleasing. You can have your silver "mercury" fillings removed safely, without causing additional exposure of harmful vapours to you. *Reference - Health Canada, Assessment of Mercury Exposure Risks from Dental Amalgams 1995. ** Reference - University of Calgary School of Medicine, University of New Zealand, Oral Roberts University USA. ***Reference - University of Kentucky, The Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
LAUGHTER: A NATURAL PAIN KILLER
Fixing your smile can improve your overall health.... Beyond cavities, crowns and cleanings, the impact of a smile reaches from the corners of our mouth and into the depths of our emotions. We all benefit from a smile, whether we are on the giving or receiving end of it. It is the universal communication of a smile that defines us as approachable, sociable, and agreeable adults. At this time of year, we celebrate looking our best. We sun-tan, colour our hair, wax and tweeze and have a workout regime. The desire to feel good about ourselves and put our best face forward is ageless and genderless. In the cosmetic field of dentistry, the number of men and women that desire physical changes to restore or enhance facial expressions, appearances and smiles is increasing. Laughing is like a natural pain killer; it helps us digest our food, and improves blood flow. It stimulates the immune system to activate the pleasure centers and our metabolism picks up. Smiling and laughing fortifies us against depression and heart disease. It heightens our resistance to pain and can give us a sense of pleasure, peace and well-being. After a period of laughing, we even feel relaxed. So, if we know that smiling is good for us, why don't we indulge more often? Possibly it is stress, busyness, or simply just a general unhappiness with our teeth. But that's the great news! Sometimes the simplest reason is the easiest to fix. Some people who have been treated feel a new lease on life once their smile has been restored. No longer afraid of evoking stares, they smile and laugh with freedom. And that is good medicine!! Ultimately the value of a smile is it's ability to bring us joy. If you've been hiding your smile, putting up with pain, or delaying going to the dentist because you're too busy, your life is about to change! New and safe oral sedation techniques mean you can have years of dental treatments done quickly, with little or no discomfort. Check out the latest options that will help you feel delighted to smile.
Bad Habits Can Cost You Money and Your Smile....
Does your habit affect your smile? Please check the appropriate response. Do you now or ever: 1. Chew your lips or cheeks? 2. Suck your fingers or thumbs? 3. Chew ice? 4. Bite your fingernails? 5. Hold pins or needles in your mouth? 6. Chew pencils or plastic pens? 7. Crack nuts with your teeth? 9. Play a musical instrument that requires you to hold the instrument with your teeth? 10. Smoke a pipe, cigar or cigarettes? 11. Bite or suck your lips? 12. Use toothpicks or similar wood or plastic cleaning devices? 13. Keep your tongue pressed against the upper teeth? 14. Place your tongue in a space between your teeth? 15. Grind or clench your teeth? If you answer yes to one or more of the above questions, you may have a habit problem. Ask your dentist to see if your habit or habits are causing potential damage to your teeth.
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