5 Back to School Tips for Your Oral Health

As the holiday season comes to a close and 2016 quickly approaches Dr. Russell Cureton would like you to consider these 5 tips as you head back-to-school.

1. Manage your stress

With a new semester comes new teachers, new expectations and a slew of new papers. There is the juggling of the new class schedule, maybe a break-up over the holiday’s or guests still in your home lingering from the holiday’s. As the stress starts to pile up, so can the effect it has on your body. You'll often feel it in the forms of headaches, muscle pain or jaw pain.

Teeth grinding can be a main contributor to these aches and pains. Although most teeth grinding occurs during sleep, stress and anxiety can lead to prolonged grinding which can damage teeth and cause other oral health implications.

If stress is causing your teeth grinding, consider visiting your Salinas dentist Dr. Cureton D.D.S., about options to reduce your stress. Avoid or cutback on foods that contain caffeine such as colas and coffee. Don't chew on pens, pencils or anything that isn't food. If you notice yourself grinding your teeth or clenching them during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This trains the muscles in your jaw to relax.

2. Watch your alcohol consumption

Back-to-school post holiday’s, with college football bowl games and big New Year’s events can mean more socializing with friends over beverages. Overconsumption of alcohol does more than just affect your liver—it can have negative effects on your teeth as well. Due to its high sugar and acid content, frequent consumption of alcohol can lead to increased tooth decay. The sugars from alcohol pose the biggest threat to your teeth which, when broken down in your mouth, can create the ideal acidic environment for bacteria to breed.

Some tips to combat the effects of alcohol include alternating alcoholic drinks with water or using water as the mix. Water increases saliva flow and can rinse away sugars and acid in your mouth. If you often forget to brush your teeth after a night out, leave a toothbrush on your pillow to give you a reminder.

3. Be careful with energy drinks

While trying to get back in the swing of waking up for those early morning classes, grabbing an energy drink may not be your best option for a number of reasons. Most energy drinks are loaded with citric acid, preservatives and sugar. These drinks can wreck havoc on your teeth and gums and lead to tooth decay, tooth sensitivity and cavities. Over time, energy drinks can also strip the enamel from your teeth. If you do have to have an energy drink, drink it through a straw and don't hold the drink in your mouth before swallowing. Afterward, rinse your mouth out with water, which will help to neutralize the acid and increase saliva production. The best advice however, is to refrain from drinking energy drinks all together. Water is one of the best hydrators, a natural energy-booster and doesn't contain any calories.

4. Protect yourself on the sport field/court/rink/etc.

A new semester brings new intramural sports activities. The closer we get to spring, the more we begin to recreate outside with friends, roommates and become more active. It's important to remember to protect your mouth while you get back on the field or court. Dr. Russell Cureton recommends a mouth guard for contact sports like roller hockey, soccer, basketball, football, rugby and lacrosse. Mouth guards not only protect the teeth, but they could also help prevent serious injuries such as jaw fractures, concussions and neck injuries. Many athletes opt not to wear a mouth guard because of bulkiness or poor fit. If this is the case, schedule a visit with Dr. Cureton here in Salinas, California about a custom-made mouth guard; he will provide the best fit, protection and comfort. Other options include boil and bite mouth guards and stock/ready made mouth guards.

5. It's all about routine

Starting the new year with a resolution to get into routine helps with the hustle and bustle of college life. Booking those hygiene and dental appointments are important. Making sure brushing and flossing are part of your everyday routine are equally as important. Most students study late into the night and getting ready for bed is a scramble for much needed sleep. To avoid missing your nightly brush and floss, try taking a study break earlier in the evening once you know you're finished consuming foods and beverages. You should brush for at least two minutes. A good way to time this is to brush for the full duration of your favorite song. Instead of flossing in the bathroom, you can floss while studying by using a dental floss pick. These make flossing on the go easy and less socially awkward when studying in the library or public place. Another great time to floss is while watching television, make it a habit to floss during the first commercial break.

If you are a student in the Salinas, Monterey, Prunedale or Seaside area, consider scheduling a visit with Dr. Russell Cureton in his Salinas office at the start of 2016. With more than 20 years experience as a local dentist he is a trusted source of oral care. Call him today 831-449-8363.