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

Hairy Tongue

This sounds (and looks) scary, but hairy tongue is really harmless.

Hairy tongue is a build-up of bacteria or yeast on the tongue that collects on overgrown taste buds. These overgrown taste buds can then be stained black occasionally.

You are at a higher risk to develop hairy tongue if you:

• have poor oral hygiene
• are dehydrated
• are using antibiotics 
• you smoke tobacco
• you use a Peroxide based mouthwash

What can be done if this happens to you?

Improve your home care. When you brush your teeth twice a day, also lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue scrapper.

Halitosis

My mom taught me never to turn down a mint as it may be a hint.

But mints, gums and mouthwashes only mask bad breath. They don’t treat the underlying cause of halitosis, or bad breath.

They include:

·                     Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and other vegetables and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.

·                     Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.

·                     Poor dental hygiene. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth and if not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums (gingivitis) and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums (periodontitis). The uneven surface of the tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. And dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

·                     Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that may cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to "morning breath," and is made worse if you sleep with your mouth open.

·                     Infections in your mouth. Bad breath can be a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.

·                     Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odorous chemicals. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

·                     Other causes. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be associated with bad breath.

To reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum disease, consistently practice good oral hygiene.

Mayoclinic.org

Spitting Into the Wind

Many people believe chewing tobacco or dipping snuff is safer than smoking. They are just spitting into the wind.



Chewing tobacco carries risks such as:

Oral Cancer
Cavities on the tooth/root surface
Gingival recession

Other studies show that smokeless tobacco may include risks beyond the mouth. It can also be a contributing factor to other cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.


Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes (3-4 times greater) making it highly addictive and more difficult to quit once started.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has complied the following guidelines to help you quit:
Smokeless Tobacco: A Guide to Quitting