Chewing Ice: The Cool Habit that Can Harm Your Teeth | Rapid City Dental Clinic

Rapid City Dental Clinic

Welcome to Rushmore Dental, your trusted Rapid City dental clinic. We’re here to shed light on a topic that might seem innocent but can have detrimental effects on your dental health – chewing ice. While it may seem refreshing and harmless, this cool habit can lead to various dental issues. This blog will explore why chewing ice is bad for your teeth and how you can protect your oral health. Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Fascination with Chewing Ice

Chewing ice is a common habit for many people, especially during hot summer months. It offers a refreshing sensation and can temporarily cool you down. Some individuals even find it satisfying to crunch on ice cubes, which can provide a sense of relief or distraction. However, many must realize that their teeth aren’t designed to withstand the forces exerted during this activity.

The Perils of Chomping on Frozen Crystals

When you chew on ice, the extreme cold and hardness of the ice cubes can cause several issues for your teeth:

Dental Fractures: Teeth are strong but can chip or crack when exposed to excessive force. Chewing ice creates a significant risk of damaging your tooth enamel, leading to fractures that may require dental repairs such as fillings or dental crowns.
Tooth Sensitivity: Chewing ice can wear down the protective layer of enamel on your teeth. This can lead to tooth sensitivity, causing discomfort or pain when consuming hot or cold foods and beverages.
Dental Restorations: If you have existing dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, or veneers, chewing ice can jeopardize their integrity. The extreme pressure from biting down on ice cubes may loosen or dislodge these restorations, requiring additional dental work to fix them.

Ice Chewing and Tooth Sensitivity: A Chilling Connection

As mentioned earlier, chewing ice can contribute to tooth sensitivity. The enamel loss exposes the underlying dentin, which contains tiny tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve center. When these tubules are exposed, temperature changes can cause sensitivity or pain.

If you’re already dealing with tooth sensitivity, chewing ice can exacerbate the issue. It’s crucial to be mindful of your oral health and avoid activities that further compromise your teeth.

Avoiding Dental Damage: Tips for Breaking the Ice-Chewing Habit

Breaking a habit can be challenging, but protecting your dental health is necessary. Here are some practical tips from your Rapid City dental clinic to help you kick the ice-chewing habit:

Choose Alternatives: When you crave something cold and refreshing, opt for healthier alternatives like chilled watermelon, frozen grapes, or sugar-free popsicles. These options provide a similar cooling effect without the risks associated with ice.
Use Straw: If you enjoy sipping on icy beverages, consider using a straw. This helps minimize contact between the cold liquid and your teeth, reducing the potential for enamel erosion.
Raise Awareness: Sometimes, being aware of the negative consequences can motivate you to change your behavior. Share this information with friends and family who may also be ice-chewing enthusiasts.
Stay Hydrated: Often, people chew ice out of habit or because they’re dehydrated. Ensure you drink enough water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated and reduce the urge to chew ice.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum: If you enjoy the act of chewing, opt for sugar-free gum instead. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which helps maintain oral health and can distract you from the desire to chew ice.

Visit Your Rapid City Dental Clinic Today!

While the allure of chewing ice can be tempting, it’s crucial to recognize the potential harm it can cause to your teeth. Rushmore Dental, your Rapid City dental clinic, urges you to break the ice-chewing habit to safeguard your dental health. By understanding the risks, exploring healthier alternatives, and practicing good oral hygiene, you can ensure a smile that’s cool, confident, and free from dental damage.

Remember, if you have any concerns or dental issues, our Rapid City dental clinic is here to provide the care you deserve. Please schedule your appointment at our Rapid City dental clinic today!

February 8, 2023

9 Oral Health Tips from Your Dentist in Rapid City

Rushmore Dental | Dentist in Rapid City, SD

Daily brushing and flossing are necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, you can do other things that benefit your overall well-being. Please read below for your dentist in Rapid City‘s nine dental health tips.

#1 BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE DAILY

Brushing your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush for two minutes twice a day, known as the 2×2 rule, helps remove plaque and bacteria and keeps the teeth and gums healthy. To avoid damaging the soft tissue, brush with fluoride toothpaste and proper techniques using small circular motions. Remember to brush your tongue well to fight bad breath.

#2 FLOSS DAILY

Floss nightly before brushing to remove anything your toothbrush is unable to dislodge. Skipping this vital step will leave small food particles that can eventually decay and cause oral health problems. Flossing may cause gums to be extra sensitive, which is natural and will stop once you’ve been flossing for a couple of days.

#3 REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH REGULARLY

It would be best if you change your toothbrush every 3 to 6 months. Old, frayed toothbrushes don’t clean the tooth’s surface correctly and can damage your gums. Always rinse your toothbrush and store it upright to dry completely.

#4 MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET

Avoiding foods and drinks that are highly processed and laden with sugars plays a massive role in long-term dental health. Including foods high in calcium that can help support strong and healthy teeth, like leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, almonds, yogurt, and cheese.

#5 BIANNUAL DENTAL CHECKUPS

Regular dental visits every six months will allow your dentist in Rapid City to catch tooth decay and other issues before they take hold. During this visit, your teeth get a thorough cleaning from a hygienist to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar and shine up your tooth enamel with a buff and polish.

#6 ADDITIONAL DENTAL PRODUCTS

As you know, brushing and flossing are fundamental to preventive dental health. Still, you can help keep your teeth in top condition by incorporating supplemental aids into your routine. Consider using mouthwash, oral irrigators, interdental, and tongue cleaners. These dental hygiene products can help support good oral health and should be used in addition to regular brushing and flossing.

#7 STAY HYDRATED

Avoiding a dry mouth by staying hydrated helps maintain healthy saliva flow by moving food particles through your mouth. Hydration keeps food from sticking between your teeth, where oral bacteria can grow.

#8 CONSIDER DENTAL SEALANTS

Dental sealants fill in the grooves of the top of your molars and premolars to protect your teeth from cavities. Everyone benefits from sealants, but children and teens are good candidates as they often don’t brush as thoroughly as adults.

#9 EXAMINE REGULARLY

While regular checkups with your dentist in Rapid City are an excellent preventive measure, issues can develop between visits. Quickly scan the inside of your mouth as part of your oral care routine. If anything seems unusual, share this information with your dentist at your next appointment.

Visit Your Dentist in Rapid City, South Dakota

Rushmore Dental in Rapid City has many years of experience providing dental care to patients of all ages. Our passion is to help you maintain optimal oral health and a beautiful, healthy smile. Ask us about other dental services, such as cosmetic dentistry procedures and CEREC crowns. Call our office to schedule an appointment today.

February 6, 2023January 31, 2023

It’s Time for a Dentist FAQ Session

DO YOU HAVE questions for the dentist? There’s a good chance one of yours made our frequently asked questions list!

Question 1: How often do I need to visit the dentist?

For most people, we recommend a dental exam and cleaning twice a year. Even for patients with perfect oral hygiene, it’s inevitable that some plaque and tartar will still build up. We can give your teeth a professional cleaning to control plaque and tartar and we can catch any dental problems early, which will save you time, pain, and money in the long run.

Some people can benefit from more frequent visits, often for reasons like pregnancy, a history of gum disease, or a smoking habit. The ideal frequency of your visits is based on how healthy your gums are and how committed you are to maintaining good oral hygiene.

Question 2: Why do I need a filling if my tooth doesn’t hurt?

Not all cavities are painful. Cavities form when the acid produced by bacteria eats away at tooth enamel until it creates a hole in the tooth. Cavities usually don’t hurt in the early stages when they only affect the enamel. You don’t want to leave a cavity untreated until it hurts, because that means letting it progress until it reaches the dental pulp where the nerves are. At that point, a simple filling might not be enough.

Question 3: Is it really important to keep baby teeth healthy?

It’s true that baby teeth are temporary, but that doesn’t mean they don’t matter. Baby teeth are essential to a child’s ability to chew their food effectively, speak clearly, and master lifelong dental habits like brushing and flossing. They’re also important placeholders for the incoming adult teeth.

Question 4: What is making my teeth more yellow?

Teeth inevitably darken or yellow over time as a function of age, but trauma and environmental factors can make the effect much more pronounced. The biggest culprits of surface stains are cigarettes, wine, coffee, tea, cola, sports drinks, berries, hard candy, and even tomato sauce. If your smile is losing its sparkle, talk to us about whitening treatments.

Question 5: How bad are pacifiers and thumbsucking for my child’s teeth?

At first, they aren’t bad at all! These self-soothing habits only become an oral health concern when they continue beyond toddlerhood. Most children will grow out of them on their own, but after age three, it is time to start considering strategies for discouraging the habit, like clipping a pacifier. We can help!

These aren’t the only habits that can damage teeth!

We Love Answering Our Patients’ Questions!

The more educated our patients are about their teeth and gums, the more confident they feel about how they’re taking care of their dental health. If you have any questions we didn’t cover here, give us a call or schedule your next appointment today!

We live for seeing our patients’ smiles!

February 5, 2023January 31, 2023

Women’s Dental Health

WOMEN FACE A different set of challenges than men do in caring for their teeth and gums, and they also have different advantages.

Oral Health Issues that Affect Women More

Women make up 90% of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) diagnoses. TMD can be caused by bruxism, joint structure, stress, arthritis, vitamin deficiency, or hormones. Another condition that disproportionately affects women is Sjörgen’s syndrome, which causes dry mouth. Beyond making chewing and swallowing uncomfortable and muting the sense of taste, dry mouth is dangerous for teeth and gum health.

Hormone Changes Versus Oral Health

The hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can cause oral health problems. Gingivitis and gum inflammation become more likely, which means brushing and flossing are even more essential. Dry mouth and bone loss in the jaw are associated with menopause, so it’s important to keep the dentist in the loop.

Eating Disorders

Teenage girls are twice as likely to develop eating disorders as teenage boys. Eating disorders attack oral health in two ways: weakening the oral tissues through malnutrition and (in the case of bulimia) destroying tooth enamel directly through acid erosion.

The Silver Lining

So what’s the good news? Women are better than men at taking care of their teeth! Women are more likely to keep up with their daily oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits. They’re also more willing to go to the dentist when they experience tooth pain, while men might try to tough it out. Even though women are more vulnerable to certain issues, they can significantly reduce the impact by taking care of their teeth.

February 4, 2023January 31, 2023

Soothing a Sensitive Tooth

IF EVERY BITE of ice cream or every sip of coffee gives your teeth a nasty jolt, then you know what it’s like to live with tooth sensitivity. At least one in every eight Americans (including kids) has sensitive teeth. Why does this happen to so many of us and what can we do about it?

The Basics of Dental Anatomy

It’s important to understand a little about dental anatomy when thinking about how tooth sensitivity works. The visible portion of the tooth (the crown) is made up of three layers: the outer tooth enamel layer (the hardest substance in the human body), the dentin layer (more like normal bone) and the dental pulp layer at the center (nerves and blood vessels).

Sensitive Exposed Nerves

The nerves at the center of each tooth sense what’s going on at the surface through thousands of microscopic tubules running through the dentin layer. If the enamel wears too thin, the tubules become exposed and the nerves in the teeth start feeling way more input than they’re supposed to, making temperature changes or even a sudden sweet or sour taste too much to handle.

What Causes Sensitivity?

Aside from enamel erosion, there are other things that cause sensitivity. Root exposure is one. Unlike the crown of the tooth, the root lacks the protective enamel layer. It relies mainly on gum tissue. Gum recession (often caused by teeth grinding or overbrushing) leaves the roots unprotected. Cavities or damage to a tooth like chips or fractures can also cause sensitivity, especially to hot or sweet things.

Protecting Teeth From Sensitivity

There are a few things we can do about sensitive teeth. Step one is to get rid of a hard-bristled toothbrush and buy a soft-bristled one instead. Soft bristles are enough to effectively clean away plaque, while hard bristles can damage the enamel and gum tissue even more. It’s also a good idea to switch to a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth. Cutting down on sugar intake and avoiding very acidic foods and drinks (especially sugar) will help as well.

The Dentist Can Help

If you’ve been dealing with tooth sensitivity, schedule an appointment so the dentist can discover the cause. Beyond what you can do to reduce the symptoms and strengthen your teeth and gums at home, the dentist can apply a fluoride varnish, prescribe a stronger desensitizing toothpaste if needed, or recommend a gum graft or dental restoration to repair any significant damage.

Your strong, healthy smile is our highest priority!

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

February 3, 2023January 31, 2023

Kissing and Contagious Cavities

THE REASON DAILY brushing and flossing are so important for keeping harmful oral bacteria populations under control is that they reproduce very quickly. In a healthy, clean mouth, there might be anywhere from a thousand to a hundred thousand bacteria on each tooth surface, but that can quickly become as many as a hundred million to a billion bacteria per tooth without brushing or flossing.

Our Oral Bacteria

On average, an individual will have between 34 and 72 different types of oral bacteria. Once we get a strain of bacteria in our mouths, it probably isn’t going away. The trouble is that each person has different bacteria, so kissing or even sharing drinks with someone could introduce new strains.

Kids Don’t Have Adult Oral Bacteria Yet

This is more dangerous for children than adults. Young children don’t have as many types of oral bacteria as adults yet, and their immune systems aren’t used to dealing with them. Too many kisses from Mom and Dad can actually leave them more vulnerable to developing cavities.

Protect Your Child’s Oral Health

The best way to avoid sharing your oral bacteria with your child is to keep those kisses to the cheek, don’t share your spoon or fork with them, make sure they always have their own drink instead of giving them sips from yours, and don’t clean a dropped pacifier with your mouth.

As long as you’re taking good care of your oral health and hygiene, you don’t need to worry as much about spreading dangerous, cavity-causing germs with your kisses, but even then, avoid doing things that could spread oral bacteria to small children.

February 1, 2023January 31, 2023

Being Lip-Tied or Tongue-Tied

IT’S COMMON ENOUGH to be tongue-tied in the sense of not being able to get your words out, but a tongue tie is also a real medical condition, as is a lip tie. These conditions are both caused by pieces of tissue in the mouth called frena. One frenum connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, and another connects the upper lip to the upper gums. These aren’t the only two frena we have, but they’re the important ones for this subject.

Normal Versus Abnormal Frena

A normal frenum is thin and very stretchy, allowing for the free mobility of the lips and the tongue, which is important for normal chewing, talking, and swallowing. If the upper lip or tongue frenum is unusually thick or tight, it can restrict movement and make each of those functions harder. This is a tongue tie or a lip tie.

A person with a tongue tie may not be able to lift their tongue to touch the roof of their mouth, causing significant difficulties for word pronunciation, chewing, and swallowing. A person with a lip tie may have a large gap between their upper front teeth and a higher risk of gum recession. In infancy, they may not be able to effectively latch while breastfeeding.

How We Treat Lip and Tongue Ties

Fortunately, with modern dentistry, there’s an easy fix for lip and tongue ties. A simple surgery called a frenectomy can be done to remove or reduce the abnormal frenum. In cases where the lip or tongue’s movement is restricted and particularly if there is pain or discomfort, the procedure is definitely worth considering.

A frenectomy is a very quick procedure with a short recovery time. In most cases, the procedure is performed by oral surgeons or periodontists (gum health specialists). They will first numb the area, then make a small incision in the frenum to release, reduce, or remove it.

Some doctors use laser surgery to cut through the tissue and shorten recovery time. A laser also lowers the (already small) risk of complications. Make sure to follow all post-operation instructions to achieve the best results with the shortest recovery.

Your Dentist Can Diagnose a Lip or Tongue Tie

For most of us, frenum aren’t something we ever have to think about because they aren’t causing us problems, but if you believe yours or your child’s might be interfering with the normal function of the lips or tongue, schedule an appointment with the dentist to find out. We can take a look and determine whether you would benefit from a frenectomy.

Taking care of our patients’ smiles is what makes us smile!

January 31, 2023

Dental Health Eating Disorders

EATING DISORDERS ARE incredibly dangerous, sometimes life-threatening mental conditions. The first health impacts that probably come to mind are the psychological toll they take and the malnutrition they cause if left unchecked. However, they also take a toll on oral health. Our teeth and gums require a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy, in addition to daily oral hygiene habits and regular dentist visits.

Malnutrition Versus Oral Tissues

The eating disorder anorexia nervosa harms oral health through malnutrition. The disorder is characterized by severely limited food intake, sometimes paired with compulsive exercise, purging, or both. Without sufficient nutrients, the jaw bones can develop osteoporosis, increasing the risk of tooth loss.

Without drinking enough fluids, the salivary glands will struggle to produce saliva, leading to dry mouth. Dry mouth increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Saliva is the mouth’s first line of defense. It neutralizes acids and washes away leftover food particles. In addition, without nutrients to help keep the immune system strong, our gums become more vulnerable to bleeding.

Bulimia: A Two-Pronged Attack on Oral Health

Bulimia is characterized by the combination of overeating and forcibly purging food by vomiting or taking laxatives. Frequent vomiting puts the tooth enamel in contact with strong stomach acid. As hard as tooth enamel is, it is extremely vulnerable to acid erosion. A person struggling with bulimia is at risk of tooth discoloration, decay, and even tooth loss due to this disorder.

Take Care of Your Oral Health

Oral hygiene is important for everyone who wants healthy teeth and gums, minty fresh breath, and sparkling smiles, but it’s especially crucial for someone battling or recovering from the effects of an eating disorder. Acid erosion can be minimized by rinsing with water and waiting half an hour before brushing. It’s critical to give your saliva plenty of time to neutralize any leftover acid before brushing so that you don’t cause additional erosion.

Our patients’ overall health is important to us!

August 2, 2022

7 Ways to Manage Your Dental Anxiety from Your Dentist in Rapid City

7 Tips From Your Dentist in Rapid City

At Rushmore Dental, we aim to help our patients feel relaxed in our care. But with many people suffering from dental fear or anxiety, we have our work cut out for ourselves. Please understand that you are not alone. We are dedicated to changing the old perception of what it means to visit the dentist.

Does Dental Anxiety Affect Your Health?

Between 9% and 20% of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. Practicing preventive care and quickly addressing any issues in your teeth and gums are critical to your oral health and overall health. Avoiding necessary dental procedures can lead to adverse outcomes like gum disease and tooth decay. Read below to learn a few tips on better coping with dental anxiety and tackling your dental phobia once and for all.

#1 Acknowledge Your Fear

Accept and try to understand your phobia and why you have it in the first place. You may find that there’s just one thing that makes you anxious. For example:

Fear of pain
Fear of the unknown
Embarrassment about dental health
Bad experiences in the past

#2 Find the Right Fit

Choosing the right dentist will make you feel comfortable and confident about the care you’re receiving. Look for a dentist who offers:

A friendly and caring staff
Great reviews
Simple answers to all your questions
A relaxing atmosphere
State-of-the-art dental care and treatments

#3 Breath Deep and Consider Sedation Dentistry

Take some time before your dental visit to get in the right mindset. Stretch, meditate, or do slow breathing exercises. If you suffer from extreme anxiety, ask about sedation dentistry, such as nitrous oxide or sedatives to help you stay calm.

#4 Bring Someone With You

Bring along a friend or family member to be with you during your procedure. Support near the dental chair or even in the waiting room may help you feel safer and at ease.

#5 Don’t Rush

Please plan to arrive early to the dental office to give yourself some time to breathe. Nothing spikes anxiety more than having to rush to an appointment. Relax in the lobby, talk to the front desk staff, and ask any burning questions you have about your dental treatment.

#6 Share Your Feelings

Don’t suffer in silence — let your dental team know that you feel anxious. Your dentist’s goal is to give you the personalized care and special attention you need to help you have a relaxed experience. Let your dental team know your level of comfort by raising your hand.

#7 Ask Questions

Always voice your concerns or discomfort. Your dentist in Rapid City accommodates your requests, explains tools and possible sensations, and ensures you’re comfortable the entire time.

Your Dentist in Rapid City, South Dakota, is Here to Help

Rushmore Dental is here to help. Your dental appointment is catered to your unique needs and ensures you feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your procedure.

Please let us know how we can deliver the best experience for you. Call Rushmore Dental in Rapid City, SD, to schedule a family dental appointment. Call today to learn more about our other dental services, such as cosmetic dentistry.

May 18, 2022May 18, 2022

Post-COVID Dentistry: Why Dental Caries are On the Rise

In September 2020 ,reiterated in 2021and 2022, the American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute released findings from an impact poll highlighting an increase in certain oral health conditions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors who participated in the ADA poll reported increases in bruxism (54.9%), chipped and cracked teeth (53.4%), temporomandibular disorder symptoms (53.4%) and caries (26.4%) among patients.

As we continue into our third year of the COVID-19, now an endemic, the ongoing health challenges that came with it continue to impact my practices, my patients, and our collective mental health. This is especially clear when you consider ADA data highlighting how doctors are seeing an increase in bruxism, chipped and cracked teeth, TMD, and increases in caries and periodontal disease.

As dental professional, what does a respiratory virus like this one have to do with an increase rate of caries in our patients? There are lot of factors that may contribute to my patients’ overall oral healthâ€”and specifically, an increase in caries and decay.

Factors that contribute to tooth decay and oral health decline:

As a dental professional, I must understand why many of my patients were suffering with a variety of dental issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, including (but not limited to) increased decay rates. Importantly, there are many factors at play that can impact my patient’s overall oral healthâ€”some directly and others indirectly.

Stress and Xerostomia

Stress has a significant impact on the immune system and the body’s ability to fight off infection. Stress also impacts our body’s overall chemistry, causing us to produce stress-related hormones like cortisol, which has widespread effects throughout the body.

Stress also impacts our overall saliva production and flow, leading to an increase in xerostomia (dry mouth), which in turn can lead to thicker and stickier plaque than what is normally rinsed away with saliva. Of course, saliva has buffering capacity to neutralize acid that’s produced from decay-causing bacteria.

When people deal with stress long enough, it can lead to anxiety and depressionâ€”which may lead my patients to be prescribed medications designed to help manage these issues. Many of these medications are helpful for managing these conditionsâ€”but a common side-effect of many of these medications is xerostomia (dry mouth).

Masks and Mouth Breathing

Some of my patients were wearing masks more than everâ€”which was leading many to become obligate mouth breathers. Since patients may struggle to breathe through their nose while wearing a mask, they will default to breathing through their mouths.

Mouth breathing has long been known to cause a host of negative effects on the oral environment from the constant wetting and drying of the tissues. Mouth breathing and xerostomia affect the overall oral environment, including the overall pH and the flora and microbiome of the oral cavity.

Not only does xerostomia contribute to changes, but stress also impacts our bodies’ overall chemistry. This alters the overall flora and microbiome in the oral cavityâ€”and with these changes, then the overall balance of the bacteria changes. In many cases, this leads to an imbalance that can lead to more bacteria, which can cause conditions including caries and periodontal disease.

Changes in Diet

Another factor that may have lead to an increase in caries during the COVID-19 pandemic was secondary to stressâ€”and that is stress eating. Classic comfort foods are often high in sugar content, which alters the overall bacteria flora in a way that is more ideal for decay-causing bacteria.

Similarly, the pandemic is likely causing changes to patients’ overall diet, including the foods they eat and the overall frequency. As patients were working more at home and less at a workplace, many patients may have found themselves eating different foods or eating or snacking more frequently at home. There again, this changes the overall oral environment. If patients have not changed their overall oral hygiene habits to compensate for this, then decay rates may increase.

Financial Changes and Oral Health

Another factor to consider is that many patients also suffered (or continue to experience) significant financial and economic changes amid the pandemic. There were massive changes in the workforce during this time and thus, many patients experience significant changes in finances.

Job changes and furloughs during the pandemic led to changes in dental benefit plans for many of our patients. Meanwhile, many dental offices were closed or saw minimum patients during the earliest days of the pandemic. This led to a significant lapse in care for many patients during this time.

For patients that have poor oral hygiene or who already have significant dental conditions, this created a perfect storm for a significant surge in the rate of caries and other dental conditions.

Final thoughtsâ€”and what to do:

The COVID-19 pandemic created a significant increase in health challenges for everyoneâ€”directly and indirectly. The overall long-term effects and issues will take years for dental profession to even begin to understand. My team and I at Rushmore Dental are more than happy to always look at factors causing this for you and to give you our best recommendations.

References:

Chen, Lili and Zhao, Jiajia and Peng, Jinfeng and Li, Xiaoshuang and Deng, Xuliang and Geng, Zhi and Shen, Zhenyu and Guo, Fengyuan and Zhang, Qianwen and Jin, Yang and Wang, Lin and Wang, Songlin, Detection of 2019-nCoV in Saliva and Characterization of Oral Symptoms in COVID-19 Patients (3/14/2020).

Gholami N, Hosseini Sabzvari B, Razzaghi A, Salah S. Effect of stress, anxiety and depression on unstimulated salivary flow rate and xerostomia. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2017 Fall;11(4):247-252. doi: 10.15171/joddd.2017.043. Epub 2017 Dec 13. PMID: 29354252; PMCID: PMC5768958.