Spirit Dental Resources

Every year, new research in the world of dentistry opens our eyes to information that can help us gain even greater control over our oral health. Whether you’re learning more about the connections between the health of your mouth and the well-being of the rest of your body, or you’re accessing new tips on how to address a range of common dental problems, there’s always some fresh insight to look forward to. And 2018 definitely did not disappoint. Check out our dental news review below to learn about a few of the top headlines from the last year. Drink Up! Red Wine May Help Protect Your Teeth and Gums In the early part of 2018, wine lovers were happy to learn that red wine, in particular, might be beneficial when it comes to helping to reduce the odds of developing gum disease and tooth decay. That’s because red wine contains polyphenols that could limit bacteria’s ability to contribute to oral problems like cavities and plaque. Before you start downing a couple glasses of red wine every day, though, consider that this beverage is acidic, which means it is also capable of damaging your enamel. Experts recommend limiting your intake of wine and drinking it while enjoying a meal in order to help reduce enamel erosion. Plus, too much red wine may also lead to unsightly stains on your pearly whites, and you certainly don’t want that! Gum Disease and Cancer Risk: There Might Be a Connection 2018 also brought some scary dental news that’s worth talking about. Basically, a long-term study allowed researchers to collect data proving that there is a connection between advanced gum disease and a higher risk of developing cancers like lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Just more proof that what’s going on in your mouth could affect the health of other parts of your body! While this research reinforces what other studies had previously noted regarding the potential connection between gum disease and increased cancer risk, experts want to do more research. Their aim is to discover if keeping your mouth healthy can indeed be a smart step towards reducing the risk of certain cancers. Dealing with Dental Erosion or Sensitivity? You Need More Than Toothpaste Tooth erosion and sensitivity are common problems. Therefore, it’s no surprise that there are now so many toothpastes claiming that they can help prevent the loss of enamel and reduce sensitivity. Unfortunately, when researchers conducted a study to determine if some of those toothpastes are actually effective, they discovered that none of them really performed like they claimed they would. Not good! If you’re hoping to protect the surface of your teeth, you can’t rely on toothpaste to get the job done. In fact, some toothpastes and brushing techniques could be so abrasive that they actually make the problem worse, even if the toothpaste claims it can help. Of course, daily (gentle!) brushing is absolutely necessary, but you also need to see your dentist regularly, and it’s also a great idea to reduce your intake of acidic foods and beverages that could damage enamel. A New Way to Treat Cavities Naturally? Yes! Some of the most exciting dental news from 2018 involves a new, natural product that can utilize peptides to treat cavities and rebuild dental enamel, hopefully paving the way for an alternative to traditional treatments like fillings. Basically, the peptides could remineralize a tooth, theoretically resolving cavities. How amazing! The best part is that this might be an approach that patients would be able to take advantage of quite easily if it becomes available. But experts are still working on this technology, so it might be some time before it’s on the market for people to use as a preventive measure or as an alternative to other treatments. Have Dental Anxiety? Consider Acupuncture If you experience anxiety when you need to go to the dentist, you aren’t alone—in fact, it’s estimated that up to 30% of adults around the world deal with this uneasiness in the dentist’s chair. But, according to experts, there’s now evidence that shows one of the solutions to that anxiety could be acupuncture. How do they know that acupuncture might help? Well, they reviewed several trials that involved hundreds of patients. Using a points scale, they were able to determine the patients’ anxiety levels. When individuals received acupuncture treatments, their anxiety went down by eight points, which was significant enough to show that the treatment worked. So, although more research in this area is necessary, if you’re thinking about ways to tackle your anxiety the next time you have a dental appointment, you might want to give acupuncture a try. There’s More Dental News to Look Forward to in 2019! These five headlines are just a sampling of the many dental news headlines that made waves in 2018. Whether it’s greater insight into what you can eat and drink to help protect your teeth, information on the latest innovations that could help treat problems like cavities, or tips on how to protect the health of your body by taking care of your mouth, there’s always more news to look forward to. After all, experts are constantly working hard to discover more about oral care and what people can do daily to maintain a clean and vibrant smile. Sources: https://www.usnews.com/topics/subjects/dental_health https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/dentistry/#page=3   https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2018-02-21/study-red-wine-prevents-tooth-decay-gum-disease https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180116111145.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180412154459.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180501130805.htm

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with this disorder, it means that the contents of your stomach end up moving back up your esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn’t close like it should. In addition to causing uncomfortable heartburn—those stomach contents include acidic juices that should remain in your digestive tract—GERD can get pretty gross if you actually taste the stomach fluid when it reaches the mouth. Plus, over time, this condition could lead to other problems, such as esophageal cancer or ulcers. Yikes! For this article, though, we’ll focus on the oral health issues that may be the result of gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD Can Wreak Havoc in Your Mouth! Dental erosion is one of the oral health problems that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Basically, the acidic stomach contents make their way into the mouth and cause the enamel of the teeth to break down and dissolve. The scary part is that the enamel that ends up eroding can’t be brought back naturally. In other words, this damage is irreversible. And because enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your teeth, provides protection, losing it could make your chompers increasingly vulnerable to things like cavities and sensitivity. What’s worse: GERD can even do damage when you’re asleep! You won’t realize it while you’re in dreamland, but those gastric acids could invade your mouth, basically covering your molars and eating away at them. The fact that you don’t produce as much saliva and you don’t swallow as much while you sleep only makes the situation even more destructive. Here Are Some Ways to Protect Your Pearly Whites If you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, there are some things that you can do to protect your teeth, as well as reduce your symptoms overall: When you’re experiencing reflux, it isn’t a good idea to brush your teeth right away, as doing so may cause even more damage to your enamel. Instead, you can help reduce and neutralize acid in the mouth by chewing on some sugar-free gum to stimulate the production of saliva. You can even rinse your mouth with some pure water or a mix of baking soda and water. And, when you brush and rinse your mouth, using products that contain fluoride might be beneficial as well.   Change your eating habits by having smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. For example, you might have five small meals, rather than three large meals. Also, avoid eating at least two to three hours before bedtime. Speaking of bedtime, you could even try elevating your head and chest above your stomach while you rest so that gravity can help keep the stomach acid down. Keep track of what foods and drinks trigger your GERD symptoms. Some of the usual culprits include tomato products, garlic, onions, spicy food, chocolate, citrus fruit and juice, fatty foods, peppermint, and fried foods. Carbonated beverages, coffee, tea, and alcohol can also be triggers. Make healthy lifestyle changes. Losing some weight if you’re overweight or obese might make a difference by relieving pressure on the stomach. And did you know that smoking could trigger symptoms? Another reason to quit! Certain prescription medications might cause GERD as a side effect, so it’s a great idea to talk to your doctor. And when it comes to over-the-counter meds, consider sticking with acetaminophen, as other products, such as naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen may make your symptoms worse. Your Dentist Might Notice GERD Symptoms Before You Do! Some people don’t even know that they’re experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease until they head to the dentist to have their mouth examined. A dental pro can identify signs of enamel erosion and talk to you about GERD, including what steps you can take to prevent further damage. Plus, your dentist might be able to provide treatments that may help protect your teeth, such as tooth bonding, veneers, or a crown.   Pro tip:with an affordable dental insurance plan, you never have to worry about missing an important appointment with your dentist! In addition to working with your dentist to keep your whole mouth clean and healthy, you can also talk to your doctor about what you could do to treat GERD and stop symptoms before they can cause harm. Sure, gastroesophageal reflux disease can be damaging, but there’s hope. Changing your lifestyle and eating habits, talking to your physician about treatment options, and working with your dentist to protect your smile can help you regain control.  Sources: https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/reflux-disease-gerd-1#1 https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/understanding-gerd-prevention#1 https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-enamel-erosion-restoration#1 https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile.html22,Delta137 https://www.binondentalimplants.com/blog/gerd https://www.ada.org/en https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321175

Wisdom tooth removal: it’s surprisingly common, yet it does make people super nervous. So we’ve compiled a short guide to what you can expect when you need to have one or more of your wisdom teeth extracted.    When Is It Necessary to Remove a Wisdom Tooth? Your wisdom teeth are also referred to as your third molars, and they’re the very last teeth that will erupt, all the way in the back of your mouth. For many people, these chompers will grow in just fine, but others will end up with wisdom teeth that didn’t erupt like they should’ve. When wisdom teeth don’t grow in right, they’re called impacted. This means that a tooth has grown in at an angle, either towards the second molar or towards the back of the mouth. It could also mean that, even though the wisdom tooth is straight, it’s trapped in the jawbone. Or it could even mean that the wisdom tooth has grown in sideways (horizontally) within the jawbone. How can you know if one or more of your four wisdom teeth are impacted? Well, your dentist will notice it on an X-ray if you don’t have symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you might experience pain, or you may find that food gets trapped easily around a wisdom tooth. There might also be decay, gum disease, or an infection, and the impacted tooth might be causing damage to surrounding teeth and bone. Even more frightening: cysts might develop around a wisdom tooth that’s impacted! Because these chompers are located in the back of the mouth, they can be difficult to keep clean, even when they grow in normally. Therefore, removal might be necessary if your dentist realizes that a tooth has become too damaged as a result of your inability to get back there when you brush and floss. When it comes to wisdom teeth that aren’t causing problems, even when they’re impacted, there’s a bit of debate in the world of dental care. Some experts will tell you that extraction won’t be necessary, while others will still recommend removing the teeth to help prevent potential future problems, such as infection. Also, removing wisdom teeth while you’re younger may reduce the risk of complications. This is why getting multiple opinions could help you decide if you need to remove your wisdom teeth when they’re asymptomatic. Fun fact: Did you know that some individuals won’t ever develop wisdom teeth? They won’t have to worry about impactions! What Should You Expect Before Wisdom Tooth Extraction? Your dentist or an oral surgeon can perform wisdom tooth extraction, and you’ll have an opportunity to talk to your dentist at an appointment before your procedure. Take this time to discuss health problems you’ve been diagnosed with, as well as medications that you’re taking. During this appointment, you’ll receive important instructions regarding how to prep for the extraction, but don’t be embarrassed to ask loads of questions as well. For example, you can ask about what you can expect during and after the extraction, what type of anesthesia will be best for you, what the risk of complications is, and what you’ll need to do to ensure a speedy recovery. Note: You’re more likely to have to see an oral surgeon if your wisdom tooth is severely impacted and will require a more surgical approach. What’s the Procedure Like? Depending on how difficult your wisdom teeth will be to remove, your dentist will choose the appropriate anesthesia so the procedure can be a pain-free experience. A local anesthetic can be used to completely numb the mouth, just as your dentist would do when you’re getting a cavity filled. Sedation might also be used to help you feel more at ease. For example, laughing gas might be recommended if you need something to help you relax. And IV sedation can help you feel drowsy, or even fall asleep. General anesthesia is an option when it’s best for you to be totally asleep throughout the surgical extraction.   During the actual procedure, the oral surgeon may need to make an incision in your gums, remove any bone that’s preventing access to the roots of the wisdom tooth, and divide the tooth in order to extract it in pieces. Then, the site of the extraction will be cleaned, and you’ll get stitches to close the wound, if necessary. Finally, a piece of gauze will be set in place to encourage the formation of a blood clot and control any bleeding. This sounds pretty intense, we know, but not all wisdom tooth extractions will be the same. It depends on how badly impacted your tooth is. What’s the Recovery Like? Once the procedure is over, you’re sure to feel a huge sense of relief. But now it’s time to recover. Your dentist will give you instructions on what you should do to help your body heal. For example: You can reduce swelling with an ice pack, as well as reduce soreness in the jaw with some moist heat. You’ll likely need to drink plenty of fluids and eat only soft foods. In terms of brushing your teeth, it’s best to use a bit of caution. You might be told to wait until the second day to brush, and to avoid brushing against blood clots. Also, rinsing your mouth might not be recommended for the first 24 hours either. To tackle any pain that you may experience, your dentist can prescribe the appropriate medications. Generally, discomfort and swelling can last a few days, and it could take weeks for your mouth to totally heal. However, if your condition isn’t improving, or it’s getting worse, be sure to call your dentist right away. What About Complications? Can They Happen? Long-term complications don’t often occur after the removal of wisdom teeth. When complications do happen, however, they may include damage to the jawbone, nerves, sinuses, or nearby teeth, as well as infection within the socket where the tooth used to be. Dry socket, which is painful, might also occur. Wisdom Tooth Removal: Not as Frightening as You Might Think Sure, any dental procedure can be scary, but with an experienced dental expert performing a wisdom tooth extraction, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands and that everything will be just fine. Remember, a lot of people have their wisdom teeth removed, so you aren’t alone, and this is a procedure that’s done on many patients every single day. Plus, if your wisdom teeth are causing you loads of problems, you’ll feel so much better when they’re out of your mouth! One final note: Having your wisdom teeth removed is daunting enough without having to worry about how you’re going to pay for it. That’s why the right dental insurance can come in super handy, so consider signing up for a plan that will help you cover the costs of extractions. That way, you can focus more on prep and recovery, and less on payment, when a wisdom tooth needs to come out.  Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/wisdom-tooth-extraction/about/pac-20395268   https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/wisdom-teeth-adult#1 https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/wisdom-teeth/smoking-after-wisdom-teeth-extraction https://www.self.com/story/wisdom-teeth-removal-facts

When you aren’t in the mood for plain water, sparkling water might seem like the next best choice. After all, it isn’t sugary soda or juice, right? But it turns out that this water might affect your teeth in negative ways. How can this be possible? We explain it all below. It Starts with Carbon Dioxide If you’ve ever wondered where sparkling water gets its bubbles from, the answer is carbon dioxide. That’s why this beverage is also referred to as carbonated water. Once in your mouth, however, the carbon dioxide turns into carbonic acid as a result of a chemical reaction. While this isn’t a bad thing when it comes to flavor—it makes your drink refreshing and tangy—it does make the beverage more acidic, and that acid might contribute to enamel erosion. Who knew?! The more you drink this fizzy water, the more you end up exposing your teeth to the acid, especially if you swish it around your mouth before you swallow. Scary fact: A lot of people like adding lemon or lime juice to carbonated water in order to enhance the flavor, but this simple action increases the acidity. Yikes! Let’s Look at Some Studies, Shall We? A drink’s pH can tell you how acidic it is. Soda is really acidic (and, therefore, bad for your teeth), coming in at around 2 on the pH scale. Good ol’ water is around 7. See the difference? But what about carbonated water? Experts have completed studies to determine the acidity of a variety of popular drinks, including juice, soda, tea, sports drinks, and sparkling water. They found that this water is minimally erosive, with a pH higher than 4. Compare that to sports drinks, which are extremely erosive because their pH tends to be below 3, and it becomes pretty clear that sparkling water is the better choice. Researchers also discovered that the pH of carbonated water will rise when it goes flat and when it reaches room temperature. Translation: when the water is still nice and bubbly, as well as cold, it’s more damaging to your teeth.   According to the American Dental Association (ADA), however, experts noted that the effects of plain water and sparkling water were similar when they exposed teeth to these beverages in the lab. So, despite the fact that the bubbly water is more acidic than plain water, it’s still a better choice than the sugar-laden options available. When It Comes to Water, Boring Is Better Sure, it’s boring and tasteless, but pure water is really the best choice for your chompers. Sparkling water is a better option than sodas, and even orange juice, because it’s way less acidic, but because it’s more acidic than non-carbonated water, it still isn’t the ideal beverage for the health of your teeth. Tip: Can’t live without bubbly water? Choose sparkling mineral water, which will provide minerals like calcium phosphate that may help counteract some of the damage caused by the acidity of your drink. Cheers to that! Tip 2: It’s best to avoid sipping on carbonated water throughout the day, constantly exposing your teeth to the acidity. Instead, enjoy fizzy water with a meal, when you’re naturally producing more saliva that can help neutralize some of the acid.     Want to Know the Signs of Enamel Erosion? We’ve mentioned enamel erosion quite a bit so far, but what are the symptoms of this condition so you can recognize it when it starts to occur? Tooth sensitivity when you consume hot or cold foods and drinks Notches, particularly at the neck of a tooth (the neck is found between the root and the crown of a tooth) Yellowing or darkening of the teeth (this is the dentin becoming increasingly more exposed as the white enamel is worn away) Note: Erosion tends to develop slowly, so you might not notice it right away. In fact, your dentist may pick up on signs of erosion before you do. Worried About Your Enamel? Talk to Your Dentist! In addition to drinking carbonated water in moderation, and avoiding water with added sugar and citrus flavoring, see your dentist regularly to help maintain the health of your enamel. Your dentist can evaluate your teeth to see if erosion is a problem and if cavities have formed in the outer layers of your pearly whites. Plus, this is a great opportunity to ask a pro about steps that you can take daily to keep your enamel as strong as possible for many years to come.    Sources: https://www.today.com/health/sparkling-water-bad-your-teeth-dentists-weigh-t70761 https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-sensitivity/is-sparkling-water-bad-for-your-teeth https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/the-truth-about-sparkling-water-and-your-teeth

Nobody likes morning breath. Unfortunately, everyone gets it, thanks to the fact that, while you’re off in dreamland, your saliva production decreases and your mouth gets dry, allowing bacteria to multiply. But there’s hope! To help prevent that offensive odor, try out the simple strategies below. What’s Good for Your Teeth Is Also Good for Your Breath Are you the type of person who doesn’t bother brushing, flossing, and rinsing before bed? Then you might want to change your ways, as failing to clean your mouth at night can lead to really stinky breath in the morning. Basically, all of the food particles that are left in your mouth overnight will give bacteria even more to feast on. Yuck! This isn’t the time to be lazy or take shortcuts, so follow these three steps: Start by brushing for a full two minutes, and brush your tongue as well to help ensure fresher breath come the morning. Next up, grab some floss so that you can remove any remaining particles that your toothbrush left behind in between your chompers. Finally, use some mouthwash to kill additional germs and freshen your breath. Consider one that doesn’t include alcohol, which can dry the mouth. Follow the directions on the label, though, to reap the most benefits. So, if the mouthwash says rinse for 20 seconds, do it for that length of time to ensure you kill enough nasty bacteria. Pro tip: When you’re all done with your nighttime mouth cleaning routine, make it a point to avoid eating any food before bed. If you need something to drink, stick with water, which provides the added benefit of hydrating your mouth. Otherwise, you’ll undo all of the great work you just did. Watch What You Eat and Drink in the Evening Speaking of eating before bed, another reason why your breath smells terrible in the morning might be because of what you ate. Feasting on a meal that contains smelly foods, like onions and garlic, could increase the odds of morning breath, despite your best brushing efforts. Also, brushing your teeth with toothpaste that contains baking soda, or rinsing your mouth with a basic at-home mix of baking soda and water, might be beneficial when it comes to freshening your breath before you hit the sack. Why, you ask? Put simply, bacteria tend to prefer acidic environments, and baking soda can help reduce the acidity in your mouth. Not Enough? Try to Pinpoint the Underlying Cause for Morning Breath If you’ve tried the tips above and you’re still finding yourself waking up with funky breath, it’s time to start digging a little deeper to find the cause.   Here are a few of the reasons why you might find it hard to get rid of morning breath: Remember we mentioned that your morning halitosis could be the result of your mouth being drier while you sleep? Well, if you tend to breathe through the mouth or you snore, your mouth will likely dry out even more. The effect will be really bad breath upon waking. Consider talking to your doctor if you have trouble breathing through your nose or you snore a lot. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often referred to simply as acid reflux, is another culprit to think about. All of that stomach acid making its way up your esophagus while you’re sleeping can cause your breath to smell horribly by the time the sun rises. Your doctor might be able to help you get relief from your symptoms with the right tips and medications.   If you have periodontal disease (a.k.a. gum disease), your morning breath might become worse, and that halitosis could persist throughout the day. Yikes! Just another reason to visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. Allergies that result in post-nasal drip and dry mouth can also cause your breath to smell less than stellar. And certain medications may even contribute to bad breath if they cause dry mouth as a side effect. In either case, it’s best to talk to your doctor about what you can do. Do you smoke? Here’s yet another reason to quit: smoking dries the mouth and raises its temperature, making it a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply. Pretty gross, right? Still Stumped? Book an Appointment with Your Dentist! When all else fails, it’s time to see your dentist about morning breath. He or she can figure out what the cause of your halitosis is, as well as provide expert tips, treatments, and product recommendations that can help you keep your breath fresh, even while you sleep.  Sources: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/bad-breath/morning-breath-prevention-treatment-tips https://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/why-do-we-have-morning-breath.aspx   https://www.healthyessentials.com/wellness-solutions/seasonal-allergies-and-bad-breath https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/bad-breath#1 https://www.menshealth.com/style/a19545677/how-to-beat-morning-breath/ https://www.healthline.com/health/morning-breath#2

Depression can negatively affect so many aspects of your health, but did you know that it could even adversely impact your teeth and gums? And did you know that, on the flipside, poor oral health might also have an adverse effect on your emotional state as well? Don’t worry, we’ll explain it all below. There’s a Connection Between the Health of Your Mouth and Your Mind Researchers from Deakin University released information that shows there might be a connection between depression and oral health. Put simply, when you’re experiencing problems with your teeth and gums, your odds of feeling depressed might go up. And here’s another interesting point: the worse your dental health, the more severe your depression could be. Who knew?! How does this work, you ask? Well, according to experts, depression falls into the category of inflammatory disorders. This means that inflammation in the body may lead to mental health problems like depression. And it turns out that, yes, poor oral health could actually be a source of inflammation within the body. When the researchers set out to see if there’s a connection between the health of your teeth and the well-being of your mind, they realized that the topic hadn’t yet been investigated very much, so they looked at helpful data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey instead. What they realized was that many participants in the survey who reported feeling depressed also stated that the health of their teeth was merely fair or poor. So it appears that there may be a link between depression and oral health, but experts aren’t yet sure of the exact reason why. Additional research needs to be conducted to discover more and to figure out if it’s possible to prevent or manage depression with the help of good dental care. Feeling Down? Then You Might Be Neglecting Your Oral Care Routine If you’ve ever suffered from depression, you know that it can make you feel extremely unmotivated. You might find yourself no longer focusing on the things that you used to care about, and that includes your own health. So it isn’t really surprising to learn that experts have found a link between depression and a lack of good oral care at home. In other words, individuals who are depressed might be inclined to ignore self-care habits, like daily brushing and flossing, and that could adversely impact the health of teeth and gums. Beyond that, if you’re depressed, you might not feel the need to schedule those necessary appointments with your dentist for checkups and cleanings. This lack of professional dental care can also take its toll.   Here are some other bad habits that may result from depression and put your pearly whites at risk: Poor dietary choices Smoking Alcohol abuse Drug abuse Let’s Not Forget the Effects of Stress! Something else to think about when considering the connection between mental health and oral health: depression can cause stress, along with a rise in the release of a stress hormone known as cortisol. As a result, the immune system could take a hit, possibly boosting the risk of oral problems like gum disease. Stress isn’t pretty; we all know that. But a lot of people aren’t aware of the many ways that it can affect the mouth. As an example, when you’re feeling really frazzled because of anxiety or depression, you might find yourself clenching and grinding your teeth (this is known as bruxism). On top of that, stress and depression may also result in dry mouth, which is associated with a greater risk of tooth decay, mouth infections, and gum disease. Yikes! Side note: Some prescriptions for treating depression may include dry mouth and/or bruxism as a side effect—yet another way that depression and poor oral health might be linked.   Your Dentist Might Be Able to Help! Bottom line: your emotional well-being might have an impact on your oral health, and problems that originate in the mouth may be associated with mental disorders like depression. Fascinating, right? If you’re feeling depressed, don’t be ashamed to talk to your doctor to get some much-needed care. It’s also wise to let your dentist know about it, too. Talk about your symptoms, and tell your dentist if you’re taking any antidepressants so he or she can offer the best tips and treatments to help your mouth be as healthy as possible. And, to make all of this easier on your wallet and reduce the stress that can come with paying for dental visits, consider signing up for an affordable dental insurance plan that suits your needs. Tackling your mental health and oral health might help restore balance and wellness, so it’s important to take care of both body and mind. Here’s to feeling happy on the inside and smiling brightly on the outside! Sources: https://www.deakin.edu.au/about-deakin/media-releases/articles/link-found-between-poor-dental-health-and-depression https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-hygiene/clinical-hygiene/article/16352136/how-depression-threatens-oral-health-and-other-oralsystemic-links https://bondidental.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Six-Links-Between-Depression-and-Oral-Health@2x.png https://www.deltadental.com/grinmag/us/en/ddins/2017/winter/oral-and-mental-health-connection.html https://www.deltadentalwa.com/blog/entry/2017/10/how-depression-affects-oral-health https://www.healthcommunities.com/index.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/overcoming-pain/201001/getting-the-crux-bruxism