Gum Disease, Canker Sores and Tooth Grinding, Oh My!

LANGLEY, British Columbia - June 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Vancouver, British Columbia - Stress may be keeping you up at night, battling headaches or ulcers, but did you know it may also be the culprit of your gum disease or canker sores? Stress can affect every part of your body, including your mouth.

One way stress may manifest itself is through poor eating habits, which can then lead to poor oral hygiene. Oftentimes, we're stressed because we are busy, which means we aren't paying attention to our diet. This can lead to tooth decay and other problems. And those issues will be compounded if we fail to maintain a proper brushing and flossing regimen.

"Failing to take care of our mouths can make us suffer," says Dr. Aly Kanani, a Vancouver invisible braces (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com/Invisalign%20G3%20Vancouver%20BC.html) provider. "Improperly brushing and flossing, or failure to do so altogether, can result in gum disease and even tooth decay. Remember to exercise to boost your immune system, and to help improve your oral health."

Stress can also cause canker sores, says Dr. Kanani, who specializes in orthodontics (http://www.langleyorthodontics.com/). Langley patients who have experienced the small mouth ulcers can reduce their chances of developing them in the future by regulating their stress levels and getting enough sleep. Cold sores can also develop during emotionally difficult times.

Teeth grinding is another way stress can manifest itself in the mouth. Bruxism is often done subconsciously, so the patient may not even be aware he or she is doing it. If you wake up on the morning with a headache, teeth grinding may be the culprit. Teeth grinding can create more serious issues with the temporomandibular joint, so if you think you may be grinding your teeth, it is best to consult with a dentist or orthodontist. The TMJ can swell, which can then displace bones in the mouth. Headaches, tooth and neck pain can result. The best invisalign (http://www.invisibleorthodontics.ca/) orthodontists and dentists are well-equipped to assist with TMJ disorders and can fit patients with mouthguards to keep their teeth from grinding during the night.

"Gum disease can also manifest during times of high stress," says Dr. Kanani, an Invisalign Teen provider. "Dental plaque increases when we are stressed. The effects of gum disease not only affect our mouths, but can damage our overall health as well. Gum disease is linked to cardiovascular disease."

Painful, red gums or gums that bleed easily are signs of gum disease. Patients who experience these symptoms should contact their oral health care provider immediately to prevent it from turning into serious periodontal issues.

"As an orthodontist, it is important to me to help my patients manage their stress levels and maintain healthy oral health care regimens," says Dr. Kanani. "My patients and I put in a lot of work to perfect their smiles, and my goal is to help my patients maintain those healthy, beautiful smiles for the rest of their lives."

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