Don’t let the stress of your startup ruin your smile. If you can say yes to any of the following, you may be causing distress to your smile.
My last meal included checking my phone, computer, tablet or all three, while eating something out of a takeout bag that I think was chicken.
Healthy eating is a huge part of maintaining your smile. Foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits and juices, leafy vegetable, potatoes), vitamin B12 (dairy, meat) and folic acid (spinach, broccoli) will help strengthen gums and supporting soft tissue. Of course, calcium from dairy foods and dark green leafy vegetables are important too as they are necessary for the development and maintenance of strong teeth and bones.
I was really stressed out so… I just had to have a cigarette and/ or a drink. I needed something to help me relax.
Bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol can take a toll on more than just your smile. Ninety percent of oral cancer patients have used tobacco.1,2 Longtime heavy smokers are the most at risk for oral cancer and the risk increases for tobacco users who drink alcohol heavily.1,2 Between 75 and 80 percent of oral cancer patients drink alcohol often. The more you drink, the greater the risk.1
The last night that I remember sleeping eight-hours uninterrupted was probably when I was 10.
When you are sleeping, you may be grinding your teeth without being aware of it.3,5 Grinding occurs when you press your upper and lower teeth tightly together.3 Your dentist may see signs of wear on your teeth that indicate that you grind. Grinding your teeth can lead to jaw pain, earaches, headaches and clicking or popping noises when you open or close your mouth.4
So don’t let the stress of your startup distress your smile. Make sure to eat a healthy diet, maintain your brushing and flossing routine and visit your dentist.
1 “Oral Cancer.” American Cancer Society, 2007. www.cancer.org/downloads/pro/oralcancer.pdf Accessed 2010.
2 “Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer.” American Cancer Society, August 17, 2010. http://documents.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003128-pdf.pdf Accessed 2010.
3 “Bruxism.” National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001413.htm. Accessed 2009.
4 “TMJ Disorders.” National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001227.htm. Accessed 2009.
5 “What Is Bruxism?” American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2994.aspx?currentTab=1. Accessed 2009.