Premier Dental - April 2021

Premier Dental - April 2021

PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R

EDITION 26

609.298.1124 WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM

Relax HOW STRESS IMPACTS YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Gum disease — Because stress weakens our immune system, our body cannot resist infections easily. This can lead to cycles of gum disease in susceptible patients. TMD and TMJ — Trigeminal mediated disorders (TMD) affect the muscles and joints in our jaw. Clenching or grinding our teeth can contribute to TMD through muscle tension. The jaw muscles become sore and inflamed, and there can be pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in front of our ears. Sometimes, it even hurts to chew or open wide. Many headaches are also related to muscle tension in the neck, jaw, and back. Dry mouth — Dry mouth occurs when our salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva. It can be a response to stress and anxiety, certain medications, cancer treatment, or general medical conditions. Our mouth may feel parched and our throat scratchy, and it may be worse at night. Dry mouth also increases the risk of cavities. Biotene is designed to fight this chronic condition and can be found at most pharmacies. Canker sores — Canker sores are painful spots on the tissues of our mouth. We are more prone to canker sores when we are stressed. Canker sores could take up to two weeks to heal. As you may have noticed, there are solutions to help mitigate or resolve some of these symptoms brought on by stress. (Biotene or night guards are great examples of this.) However, we can also reduce the risk of these incidents by practicing relaxation techniques. Personally, I find reading to be an enjoyable way to de-stress. I also enjoy surfing the net while listening to music, and I will sometimes do light yoga or breathing exercises. My suggestion is to watch out for your stress triggers and find ways to counteract their effects. Try exercising, meditating, practicing general breathing exercises like those found in yoga or qi gong, and talking to family, friends, or a professional. Be sure to avoid self- medication and also curb your caffeine intake. Whatever it is you do to combat stress, make sure it’s something you enjoy. My goal when relaxing is to do something that makes me happy. When you need to relax, try finding what makes you the happiest, and channel your energy there.

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321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505

609.298.1124

Stress is an inevitable part of our lives, but we’ve had more than our fair share with COVID-19. Most of us are feeling greater effects from stress than before as we work to maintain our health, manage money, go to work or create an at-home office, find child care, attempt digital schooling, and deal with social isolation. While we may be feeling more stress, it’s important that we understand the difference between good stress and bad stress. Good stress is usually associated with excitement. It’s how you feel when you’re riding a roller coaster, going to the prom, or competing in a game. It keeps us feeling alive and excited about life. Bad stress can be divided into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute stress usually involves a sudden surprise that needs a quick response. It triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response but doesn’t take a heavy toll if we calm down afterward. Chronic stress is different. It occurs when we repeatedly face stressors that take a heavy toll and feel inescapable. Our bodies are not designed for chronic stress, and over time, we feel it mentally and physically. We may struggle to concentrate or complete tasks, and feel more sadness, depression, anger, or anxiety than usual. Our bodies can ache, our appetites change, we may have trouble falling asleep, and we can get sick more often.

OFFICE STAFF:

PATIENT COORDINATOR

MICHELE

DENTAL ASSISTANT

CATHLEEN

HYGIENISTS

CHARLENE JULIA

PRACTICE MANAGER

PETER

Just as our bodies feel the tremendous effects of stress, our teeth can also pay a price.

Bruxism — This is the medical term for grinding and clenching our teeth. This occurs mainly in our sleep and can create chips, flattened tips, or sharp edges. Excessive force also causes more sensitivity to temperature. A night guard can help relieve this tension.

–Dr. Hema Gopal

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WWW.BORDENTOWNDENTIST.COM

DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Is Your Daughter a ‘VSCO Girl’?

10 SIGNS TO LOOK FOR THIS SPRING Is your daughter obsessed with scrunchies? Does she love posting on TikTok? Has it been more than six months since you’ve seen her without her Hydro Flask? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you just might be living with a VSCO Girl. What is a VSCO Girl? The term VSCO Girl first appeared in Urban Dictionary in July of 2019, and it’s been in the news ever since. The word VSCO (pronounced “vis-co”) comes from the name of a popular editing app for photographers. Like Instagram, VSCO offers filters and other features to enhance photographs. These “looks” are so distinctive that teens and 20-somethings who used the filters became known online as “VSCO Girls.” From there, a simple obsession with an app spiraled into an entire identity based on the vibes that the filters gave off. Self-identified “VSCO Girls’’ are eco-friendly, laid-back, and feminine in a cutesy, Lisa Frank kind of way. Look up #VSCOgirl, and you’ll find more than a million videos of people either mocking or displaying VSCO Girl traits. Even two years in, #VSCOcam is one of the top 100 hashtags on Instagram. How can you spot the signs? If you want to know whether your daughter fits the VSCO trend, you’re in luck: There are dozens of visible markers to look for. According to Teen Vogue, a “VSCO Girl Starter Kit” includes pastel clothes (specifically scrunchies, T-shirt

dresses, Crocs, and high-waisted shorts), Vans shoes, lip gloss, Hydro Flasks, reusable straws, canvas tote bags, Birkenstocks, disposable or instant cameras, strands of twinkle lights, and an obsession with curling hair and eyelashes. On their own, these are all innocuous traits, but together they scream “VSCO Girl.” Now what? There’s nothing inherently wrong with being a “VSCO Girl.” If your daughter identifies as one, the only thing that might be worth worrying about is how much time she spends on Instagram or TikTok. So instead of quashing her aesthetic, try using your newfound knowledge to bond a little. If you take her scrunchie shopping or share an article about saving the sea turtles, you just might win the title of “cool parent.”

ARE THEY REALLY SAFE? The Truth About Essential Oils

How are essential oils misused? When it comes to essential oils, there are two big mistakes people might make: They either overuse essential oils with their children or they apply them the wrong way. When essential oils are concerned, proper application and amount can make a life-or-death difference. Nutmeg oil, for example, tastes delicious in food but can cause hallucinations and even comas when mishandled, and eucalyptus oil, which can soothe a cough, can also cause seizures if ingested. Another example is sage oil; it has beneficial applications, but even small amounts can make a child very ill. How can you use my oils safely? If you use essential oils or oil-based products, it’s vital that you follow the instructions that come with them and keep bottles of pure oil locked away from your kids and pets. When you’re using oils topically, dilute them with a barrier substance like a non-essential oil, lotion, or aloe jelly; and when you’re inhaling them, use a waterless or water-based diffuser. Finally, when in doubt, do your research! The American Botanical Council’s HerbalGram journal, AromaWeb.com, and >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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