The all-night study session, the weekend-long term paper dash, late nights, early mornings and stress – these are all part of being a college student. But all these factors can lead to neglect and abuse of your regular dental health.
All that hustle and bustle can mean not only skipping your regular brushing, but also skipping balanced meals in favour of snacking on sugary, carbohydrate-rich ‘convenience’ foods and beverages. A steady diet of pizza and soda, donuts, coffee and cappuccino can take a toll on your oral health.
When you eat carbs, you never eat alone. Oral bacteria also feed on those insidious sugars and carbohydrates. This bacterial pig-out produces a sticky film called plaque that attaches to your teeth. If plaque isn’t removed every day, it builds up and eventually turns into a cement-like substance called tartar.
In addition to tooth decay, plaque and tartar can irritate your gums and cause them to become inflamed and bleed when you brush and floss your teeth. If left untreated, this condition can advance into periodontitis, an incurable gum disease that can lead to tooth-loss.
Another by-product of college, stress, also increases plaque levels and gingivitis production. pizza
When you are cramming for an important exam or rushing to an early class, brushing your teeth is probably the last thing on your mind. However, it needs to be the first thing you think about after you eat breakfast and before you go to bed. It takes only a couple of minutes twice a day to preserve your teeth and gums for a lifetime. In addition to making healthier food choices, use fluoride toothpaste, thoroughly brush your teeth and gums twice each day, and floss at least once every day. Use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from your tongue.
We now offer walk in cleanings, walk in toothaches and convenient appointments before & after school.
So, when you study for your college exams, don’t forget to prep for your next dental exam.
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