WHY YOUR TEETH NEED EXTRA PROTECTION IN JANUARY
Whether your call it Winter Blues, depression or the more formal Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s common to feel a bit down at this time of year but most people don’t realise how much it can affect their oral health!
Today we’re running through the dental effects of SAD and
what you can do to counteract them while lifting your spirits along the way.
Why is January
so tough on teeth?
SAD is thought to be primarily caused by a lack of
sunlight reaching our skin, this plays havoc with our body’s ability to
regulate energy levels, mood and sleep. January is the peak period for this and
the depressive symptoms often cause a cocktail of results with unfortunate
repercussions for our teeth:
Falling out of routine
As our body clock falters and tiredness sets in, it
becomes common for people to skip daily tasks. Very often the first things to
go are our daily care routines like brushing in the morning and evening. As
you’d expect, this leaves our teeth and gums wide open to damage from plaque and
oral bacteria.
Antidepressant medication
If symptoms are severe enough, GPs may prescribe
antidepressants. While these can treat depression, a frequent side effect is
dry mouth. As well as feeling uncomfortable, the lack of saliva in dry mouth
sufferers puts them at risk of fungal infections, gum disease and tooth decay. Dry
mouth can also interfere with the fit of dentures and leave wearers with
painful sores.
Increased stress
Bruxism (grinding your teeth at night) affects about 10%
of us with many of us not even noticing but the effects can be severe as we
pointed out in a recent post on how
to spot and stop night time grinding. The added pressures of SAD can mean
an uptick in bruxism and its many dangers.
How to protect
your teeth in January
Make your dental routine as easy as possible
Maintaining a twice daily brushing habit is absolutely
key to good oral health. Whether you treat yourself to a fancy new toothbrush, commit
to upgrade your brushing technique with Dr Denti Disclosing Tablets or decide
to hack
your water flosser with Dr Denti Mouthwash Tablets, do whatever it takes to
keep your teeth and gums clean every morning and night.
Be prepared for dental emergencies
SAD can indirectly cause a host of dental emergencies. Poorly fitting dentures due to dry mouth are at a higher risk of breaking, gum disease can cause teeth to come loose and grinding trauma can result in chipped teeth or displaced dental crowns. Stay ahead of the game by keeping a Dental First Aid Kit in your medicine cupboard, temporary home treatments can save you plenty of embarrassment and discomfort while you wait for a dental appointment.
Particularly in cases where night time grinding is a concern, you should make an appointment to see your dentist for a check-up if you’re worried about your teeth. Getting a timely appointment is easier said than done but any issues that may arise will be much easier to fix if they’re spotted early. And in the meantime our range of Dr Denti Home Use products is widely available from pharmacies, stores and online retailers.
For more information on Dr Denti products, feel free to
email us on info@gapdental.com or give
our office a call on 01474 560 618.