Eight threats that put your dental health at risk
Alcohol, smoking, vaping, opioids, other drugs, sugary drinks, stress, trauma
Women are frequently subjected to serious health threats. Let's take a look at the top eight environmental and social factors that can affect your teeth and gums.
Social + Environmental
Alcohol
Drinking comes with oral health risks. Women who drink alcohol are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than women who don't.
Heavy drinkers also have a higher risk of tooth decay, because alcohol causes dehydration which can lead to dry mouth. Further, alcohol contains sugars. Dry mouth and sugar combine to create an ideal environment for tooth decay.
And remember: wine is still alcohol. Red wine may be good for your heart, but it can stain your teeth. White wine? It usually has an even higher sugar content than red wine.
Be aware of the risks. If you drink, do so in moderation. Drink water after drinking alcohol, and wait a half hour before brushing your teeth.
Smoking: nicotine
The oral health risks of smoking are profound. Nicotine decreases the amount of saliva, which can increase your risk of tooth decay. Smoking inhibits oxygen, so smokers experience oral bone loss twice as fast as non-smokers.
Smoking also increases your risk of oral cancer. And smoking delays healing by inhibiting blood supply to the healing area. This coupled with the sucking action of the cigarette increase the risk of a dry socket following a tooth extraction.
If you smoke, you probably started when you were young. Smoking is a bad childhood or teenage habit that can last well into adulthood.
Once you're addicted to nicotine, quitting is difficult. And while quitting is hard, it's not impossible. Find a reason to do it. Your life and your health are worth it.
If you are a smoker interested in quitting speak to your health care provider or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Vaping
Many people don't know that nicotine is a very common ingredient in most e-cigarettes: even the flavored and cannabis ones. If you're vaping 'for the flavor' or 'for the buzz' - you may be unaware that you may also be picking up a serious nicotine addiction.
Vaping isn't a healthy alternative to smoking. Since manufacturers don't have to report e-cigarette ingredients, we don't know precisely what's in them.
And since vaping is both a new and growing fad, we don't have long term health studies. This in itself is alarming. However, we do know that some sweet flavors in e-cigarette liquids may increase the risk of dental cavities.
If you crave flavor, why not reach for some healthy and tasty foods? An apple, for example, doesn't contain addictive substances -- and can be great for the health of your smile.
Opioids
Percocet. OxyContin. Vicodin. Morphine. Codeine. Fentanyl.
These drugs are all opioids. Your first experience with opioids may have come from a prescription from your doctor to help with pain.
However, opioids are highly addictive. Once addicted, you may progress to other opioids such as heroin.
Because opioids relieve pain throughout the body, they can mask mouth pain. If you take opioids, you become less likely to notice oral infections or changes to your mouth.
Other drugs
Changes in the mouth associated with opioid abuse usually don't present as quickly as people who use methamphetamines. When you use methamphetamine -- meth -- you crave sugar.
When you eat more sugar and become less interested in hygiene, you can quickly create a condition commonly called "meth mouth". Without immediate dental intervention: the bone and tooth loss associated with meth use progresses quickly.
If you use cocaine, tell your dentist. If you're going to receive an anesthetic as part of your treatment, recent cocaine use can give you an increased risk of a heart attack when combined with certain medications used to numb you.
Smoking marijuana is similar to smoking tobacco in terms of the effect in the oral cavity. It causes dry mouth, which increases your opportunity for tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Long term use of marijuana is more detrimental to your dental health than sporadic use. THC - a compound found in marijuana - can interfere with calcium absorption. Those who ingest high levels of THC over long periods of time are at a higher risk for bone loss, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.
Be upfront and honest with your health care providers about any drug use. Each type of drug poses a different set of risks.
Sugary drinks
The sugars and acids in sweetened beverages like energy drinks, sports drinks, sodas, sweetened tea, and fruit juices make them poor choices for oral health. For example, if you only have one soft drink, but sip it all day - you're changing the Ph levels in your mouth. This puts you at an increased risk of tooth decay.
If you're going to drink a sweetened beverage, drink it all at once. Afterward, drink water to bring your Ph back to its normal level. Wait a half hour before brushing.
Your best bet? Avoid sugary drinks altogether. Water is still your best choice for quenching thirst.
Sleep disorders and stress
Are your temples frequently sore? What about your teeth?
If the muscles in your face feel sore -- or if you open your mouth and it feels tight -- those are two classic signs that you hold stress in your face. You may have bruxism - a condition where you grind or clench your teeth, especially at night.
People with high levels of stress or anxiety tend to clench and grind their teeth more. This puts you at risk of tooth fractures.
A tooth fracture may require a crown. Sometimes, a fractured tooth may even require an extraction.
Stress can also cause sloughing of gum tissues: if you rub your finger across the gum tissue, the top layer may peel off. This problem generally resolves on its own once stress levels return to normal.
If you hold stress in your face, talk to your dentist about a night appliance. Many people are unaware that they clench or grind their teeth at night. A night guard can help reduce the risk of fracture.
If you have trouble sleeping, this can also impact your oral health. If you get up at night and eat, you're probably not brushing your teeth when you go back to sleep. This can lead to decay.
Find ways to manage stress and get a good night's sleep. Be mindful of what triggers your stress - and find healthy and enjoyable ways to cope.
Injury
The world can be a dangerous place. If you've ever had an injury to the face or mouth: either on purpose or by accident - see your dentist for x-rays and a full oral exam right away.
Sometimes it takes years for serious dental issues induced by facial trauma to become apparent. For example, bone loss after facial trauma can take more than ten years to show up. Early treatment can help you avoid more serious oral problems later in life.
Preventing facial injury is key. While in a car, wear your safety belt. When you participate in sports where facial injuries are likely, wear appropriate protective gear like helmets and mouth guards.
If you're in a violent or abusive relationship, please get help. Visit the National Domestic Abuse website or call the hotline 1-800-799-7233 to take steps to cultivate healthy relationships and environments.
Prevention is still your best option
Be aware of the health risks in your environment. Smoking, vaping, drugs, stress, sugary drinks, poor diet, trauma -- all these factors can impact your oral health.
Avoid bad habits, and replace them with good ones. Keep it simple to enjoy optimal dental health.
Find out how to do your own Head-Oral-Neck (HON) self-exam