COVID-19 and Tooth Sensitivity

Having COVID is no fun. Most of us will use our entire arsenal to get better quickly! We’ve all heard that staying home, “Social Distancing”, washing hands, not touching faces, getting plenty of sleep and fluids, and eating a healthy diet are the standard pieces of advice. And did you know the severity of COVID illness is related to gum health? All these things make sense! One recommendation may have an unwanted side effect though.

Vitamins

During the pandemic and when sick with COVID, some of us also choose to take extra vitamins, including Vitamin C.  While Vitamin C is generally considered safe for most people to take, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many other sources indicate that there is no clear evidence that Vitamin C is helpful for prevention or cure of COVID-19. However, there are studies indicating Vitamin C deficiency seems to be correlated with people being more susceptible to infections and pneumonia, and also with having a lowered immune response. 

So for those who do choose to take Vitamin C as part of their fight against coronavirus, it may be helpful to know that one little-known but common side effect of taking Vitamin C can be Tooth Sensitivity: a brief sharp pain that often happens when a person eats or drinks something very cold or hot.

Tooth Sensitivity

The causes of sensitive teeth can include a cavity, cracked tooth, broken filling, teeth grinding, gum disease, receding gums, or worn enamel. Another cause of this sensitivity can be acid erosion. Acid erosion happens when the enamel of a tooth is exposed to acidic food or drink, stomach acid, or things such as Vitamin C – particularly if it’s the chewable kind. This acidity can cause the enamel to lose minerals and soften. While this softening can be temporary, if the tooth enamel is repeatedly exposed to acid it will gradually erode to leave the underlying dentin exposed and nerves irritated.

What You Can Do

If your tooth sensitivity becomes constant, painful, or you experience swelling or other additional symptoms, call us to discuss before it becomes worse. If your sensitivity remains mild, and you tend to eat or drink acidic things – or you’re taking Vitamin C – there are options you can try to gain some relief and also help prevent additional enamel erosion and future problems:

• Reduce your intake of acidic drinks such as sport drinks, fruit juices, etc., and drink them quickly or use a straw to limit the amount of time the liquid lingers on your teeth. Swish your mouth with water afterward.

• If you are chewing Vitamin C, consider switching to a different form of C that doesn’t remain in your mouth so long. Also swish with plain water afterward, or even swish water with a little baking soda mixed in it – and then spit it out.

• Avoid acidic foods, drinks and vitamins right before bed or while exercising when you produce less cleansing saliva.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and brush more gently.

• Switch to a toothpaste made specifically for sensitive teeth.

• Avoid tooth-whitening treatments, which often increase sensitivity.

• Talk with us. There’s a possibility your pain may be caused by high spots or teeth grinding. This is far more common than you may think, and we may be able to help alleviate your pain with simple remedies.

Dry Mouth and Tooth Sensitivity

A constant flow of saliva is our natural defense against acid erosion and tooth sensitivity. However, some prescription medications as well as over-the-counter medications such as decongestants can cause dry mouth. Incidentally, dry mouth is also a risk factor for other serious concerns including oral cancer (see our post on oral cancer for more information). Staying hydrated with pure water is a good first step. If dry mouth is a continued issue for you, be sure to let us know. There are helpful products that can bring relief to this dryness, and we’ve found that some products are more effective for our patients than others. Keep in mind that mouth dryness can have serious consequences so it’s not something to simply dismiss!

The Bottom Line

We all want to do everything we possibly can to keep our families and ourselves healthy.  But sometimes our efforts to be safe in one area of life can cause problems in other areas, as in the case of chewing Vitamin C. It’s tempting to try the many suggested home remedies we hear or read about on the internet, but these ideas can be unhealthy or even dangerous. The wisest thing to do is to stick with respected sources for information, such as the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Teuscher Legacy Health Blog, and, of course, call your physician and/or call us when you need individualized advice and questions answered. We are always happy to help.

Stay healthy!

The Importance of Being More Kissable!

Who knew that kissing has actual health benefits?  The scientific study of kissing is called “philematology” (philos in ancient Greek = earthly love).  A Nobel Prize-winning study reported that people who increased their frequency of kissing over a 6-week period had lower cholesterol blood levels. They also had less allergy symptoms and allergic reactions, relief from hives, and – not surprisingly – lower stress levels!  Kissing also stimulates your brain to release feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin, which may also dilate blood vessels, thereby reducing headaches and cramps. Kissing is also shown to lower cortisol levels – a stress hormone also associated with difficulty losing fat.  Kissing can burn 5-26 calories per minute, and may also reduce the appearance of wrinkles by tightening and toning facial muscles!

Here’s the BAD news: studies also show that the biggest turnoff when it comes to kissing is – you guessed it – bad breath!  Missing teeth, cracked teeth and stained teeth are also rated as very off-putting. Kissing is a cultural indication of acceptance and affection. But research indicates that 2/3 of us would refuse to date someone with bad breath. 

A BIG problem is that most people with bad breath have NO IDEA so… that person could be you.  Bad breath can be a social barrier in everything from friendships to work relationships.  The bad-breath obstacles to kissing and close relationships can result in lower overall self-esteem in everyone from children to teens to adults. Sadly, those with bad breath may notice that others are avoiding them but not quite know why.

Bad breath can be more than just a social deterrent.  While breath odor is most often an oral health issue, there can be other causes. These include tobacco use, certain foods and medications, and medical issues such as infections in the nose, sinuses and throat, chronic reflux, some cancers and metabolic disorders. The Mayo Clinic adds that in young children an item such as food that’s stuck in a nostril may also cause bad breath, so it’s important for parents to pay attention.

So start with good oral hygiene habits that include regular cleanings and examinations by a dentist who is an expert in pro-active prevention. Obvious treatments like brushing with toothpaste or using mouthwash can be enough to cure bad breath at first. But bad breath can also indicate oral or respiratory infections as well as other GI issues like GERD, which can lead to more serious issues, including cancer. A “wait and see” approach doesn’t do you many favors (health-wise OR financially) when, very often, we can catch these things early on. This is when we can usually intervene with simple solutions and lifestyle change suggestions. This is only a small part of the reason regular dental cleanings and exams are so important!  

I am passionate about helping people get healthy and helping you to stay that way, so it would be my honor to help you be more kissable!  

Your grateful partner in health,

Dr. Mike

Christmas Gifts That Will Make Them Smile!

Let’s face it: 

Giving the gift of health can sound… boring.  Gift certificates to the dentist (yes, we do that!) sound pretty blah, but could be one of the best gifts you ever give.  To add some fun-factor, here are some ideas for everyone on your list! (Amazon links included!):

Expectant mothers:

Pregnancy can be an especially hazardous season for the mother’s oral health. Recent studies suggest critical links between a pregnant woman’s dental status and the health of the baby, while increased hormone levels frequently cause gingivitis. Combine the gift of an exam and cleaning along with some pickle-flavored toothpaste (YUM and yes this really can be found!) and floss for those expectant and new moms on your list!

Engaged couples:

All soon-to-be married couples (and family members!) want bright white smiles for their big day! We offer in-office whitening as well as overnight trays for at-home use, and even on-the-go strips. Give them the gift of a cleaning and check-up along with tooth whitening  – and throw in a denture-shaped ice cube tray for good measure!

Children and Grandchildren:

Books such as The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist and Dora The Explorer Show Me Your Smile are great gifts to get little ones started on their dental health journey!  You can gift your children and grandchildren with dental exams too, or just bring them with you to your own dental visit to be an example to them of how important their health is – and while they’re here they can experience riding up and down in the dentist’s chair for the first time!

Daughters and Granddaughters: 

Barbie’s “I Can Be A Dentist”  play set is a fun way to help young girls consider their future options.  We would be happy to talk with your kids about what we do too!

Teenagers and all ages:  

Who doesn’t want straight teeth? Invisible orthodontics can be a great option for many people, and we do these right in our office.  Along with a tooth-shaped cookie cutter, gift loved ones a dental exam to determine if these simple appliances are right for them, and we can get them started!

Baking enthusiasts and sweet-tooths:  

Cupcake-flavored floss, toothpaste and a tooth-shaped cookie cutter combine perfectly with a dental gift certificate!

Coffee drinkers: 

Fill a tooth mug with coffee-flavored floss and a dental exam gift!

Animal lovers:

Bacon-flavored treats for dogs and cats, along with bacon-flavored dental items for their owner would be fun, along with a vet dental cleaning and a human one too!

For the health-conscious or health-compromised: 

Mayo Clinic confirms that oral health may be linked with a myriad of diseases including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, obesity, eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, pregnancy issues such as premature birth, and more.  To show how much you care, put together a care basket that includes a comprehensive exam that includes an oral cancer screening, personalized dental disease risk assessment and a customized prevention program designed just for them.

I hope these ideas are fun for you, and even more than that- I hope for you to take oral health very seriously. It truly is a gift.  My team and I would be happy to help you with any of these ideas or other questions you may have. Always feel free to give us a call.

If you have other dental gift ideas, please share them below! Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Your grateful partner in health,

Dr. Mike