We hope that all of our Witham patients enjoyed the bank holiday and especially a bank holiday where it not only didn’t rain, but was lovely and sunny too; a rare occasion indeed. Unfortunately, that extra day can make some of us dread going back to work, and in some cases, it also means a build up of work and problems to deal with on our return. This can be extra frustrating if you have had a nice relaxing weekend but the bills have to be paid so we press on.
Being hit with sudden complaints or deadlines can be challenging at the best of times, but following a pleasant weekend, it may well cause more anxiety and frustration than normal, and this is where problems can start to occur.
A common side effect of stress and anxiety is when we grind our teeth together. We may do this during a particularly stressful day at work but may only be temporary while the matter is resolved. Where problems are ongoing though, it is possible that we may also do this in our sleep, a problem known as bruxism. This is more likely to cause damage to our teeth and can cause jaw problems too (TMJ). Long term grinding, even if relatively gentle, can cause attrition (wearing down of teeth) over a period of time. This can lead to sensitive teeth but also weakens the tooth structure, making them more vulnerable to decay and breakages.
This problem sometimes rectifies itself after a while when stress levels are reduced and damage can be minimised by the wearing of a mouthguard while you sleep. Treatment for any damage caused might include fillings, veneers and dental crowns.
When we are anxious and probably rushing around too, it is likely that we will experience a dry mouth. This probably isn’t helped by not drinking enough water, using the excuse that we ‘don’t have the time’. A dry mouth isn’t just unpleasant in itself but will mean that any food and sugars consumed will not be washed away as effectively. This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The latter can also have the unpleasant side effect of bad breath, so if you were hoping for someone to help you with your workload, you might find more reluctance than you expect if they have to sit with you to do so!
Make sure to drink plenty of water, and not drinks that are high in sugar. This will help you to stay hydrated and is likely to make you more efficient in your work as well. If you do feel you may have some issues with your gums, our oral hygienist is available to help you. You should ideally see them every six months anyway, in the same way that you see the dentist at Blake Dental to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
When we are stressed or just short of time, we are more likely to turn to foods that are easy to prepare, but which are also often high in sugar. Eaten regularly, these are not good for our teeth and probably our general health too. Where possible, do make sure that you eat tooth friendly and healthy foods, avoiding ‘sweet treats’ as much as you can.
In addition to eating (and drinking) badly when we are stressed and under pressure, today’s ‘always on’ society with emails and texts sometimes overwhelming us, may lead to us forgetting to brush and floss our teeth, especially before we go to bed. This means that our teeth and gums will have to deal with food particles and sugars overnight which can cause a lot of damage. No matter how busy you are, make sure to brush and floss well before going to bed, and make sure not to eat or drink anything other than plain water afterwards.
We know that deadlines, meetings etc at work can occasionally mean that you might have to cancel an appointment at our Witham dental clinic. We would prefer that you don’t do this and it is better for you too if you don’t, but if you really have to do so, then please do try to give us as much notice as possible so that we can offer your appointment to someone else who may be in need of urgent dental treatment.
We also strongly recommend that if you do cancel, you rebook your appointment at the same time. Failure to do so, especially with a busy life, can mean that problems can mount up, and an issue that might have required a small filling, for example, may need more invasive treatment at a later date as the problem progresses.
So … take a deep breath and try to face going back to work in as relaxed a manner as you can. You will probably find that you are actually more efficient at work this way and your teeth and gums will be grateful for it too.
If you need to see us for a dental related matter and would like to make an appointment with us, please call Blake Dental today on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
