Oral Health of College Students

As college starts again this fall, I get to recover from the rush of students trying to squeeze their cleaning and check-ups in before they start the new semester. This caused me to reflect on the lectures I had been giving to these young adults. I came to the conclusion that during this time in their lives, my patients are under a lot of stress, not eating their best, and putting dental care on the back burner.

Then I saw this fantastic article that expressed my exact observations.

So I’ll share my advice with you:

During times of stress and lack of sleep there is a decrease in salivary flow as a part of the fight or flight system. This can increase your risk of cavities.

Stress also triggers the release of chemicals that cause inflammation that can lead to gingivitis.

Lack of healthy dietary choices will lead to more than the “freshman 15.” Soft drinks, energy drinks, coffee and sports drinks have a lot of sugar and are acidic. This contributes to cavities and erosion of the enamel.

Stress and lack of sleep will lead college students to drink alcohol and smoke tobacco to reduce anxiety.

Healthy choices can lead to good oral health. The following are some Free or Low-Cost Apps that address overall Health:

Courtesy of Dimensions of Dental Hygiene July 2014

Product Review: End Tufted Toothbrushes

This is my go-to brush for the difficult to reach areas around crowded teeth, crowns or bridges. Because it allows you to pin point the small, hard to reach places, the end tufted brush can remove the plaque that can be harmful to the gums or the restorations. Additionally, this is the perfect brush to clean orthodontic brackets and appliances.

Oil Pulling

Lately, the practice of oil pulling has been put in the spotlight by news media programs and the social networks. This has sparked a lot of questions from my patients. So, let me share what I know.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient, traditional folk remedy that has been practiced for centuries in India and               southern Asia as a holistic technique.

(Singh A, Purohit B.  Tooth brushing, oil pulling and tissue regeneration: A review of holistic approaches to oral health.  J Ayurveda Integr Med.                     2011 Apr-Jun; 2(2): 64–68.  Available at: “http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/; Accessed April 23, 2014.)

How do I practice oil pulling?

Place a tablespoon of edible oil (sesame, olive, sunflower, coconut) inside the mouth and swish, or                 pull, the oil through the teeth from 5-20 minutes.  

What is the benefit of oil pulling?

Oil pulling claims to enhance oral health, whiten teeth and enhance overall well being.

Does science or research support these claims?

            

“Based on the lack of currently available evidence, oil pulling is not recommended as a supplementary oral hygiene practice, and certainly not as a replacement for standard, time-tested oral health behaviors and modalities. The ADA recommends that patients follow a standard oral hygiene regimen that includes twice-daily tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner.  Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth help prevent cavities and keep gums healthy.”

(ADA. “The Practice of Oil Pulling”)

Are there any side effects or risks associated with oil pulling?

Potential adverse health effects associated with oil pulling are lipoid pneumonia or mineral oil                         aspiration. In addition, cases of diarrhea or upset stomach have been reported.

(Kim JY, Jung JW, Choi JC, et al.  Recurrent lipoid pneumonia associated with oil pulling.  Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2014 Feb;18(2):251-2Bandla HP, Davis SH, Hopkins NE.  Lipoid pneumonia: a silent complication of mineral oil aspiration.; Pediatrics 103:2 1999 Feb pg. E1.  Available at: “http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/103/2/e19.abstract”.  Accessed April 24, 2014.)