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Q: I'm going through hard financial times. Is it okay to skip dental treatment for a while?
A: The economic downturn has forced lifestyle changes on many people. If you have to give up something, regular visits to your health care providers should be at the bottom of your list. In fact, the stress of dealing with a layoff or uncertainty at work, the prospect of home foreclosure and other concerns can cause health problems, including in your mouth.
Stress causes surges of energy which the body uses for its fight-or-flee mechanism. It takes a toll throughout your body, even on your teeth. Dentists, for instance, are reporting increased instances of cracked and worn-down teeth, headaches and jaw pain, all a result of a condition called bruxism, or teeth clenching and grinding, which your body will do at night as a way of burning off excess energy. Where normal chewing can put pressure of 20 to 40 pounds on each tooth, bruxism can put 250 pounds of pressure on a tooth.
Your dentist will have some recommendations if teeth-grinding is an increasing problem for you. Your dentist is a trusted member of your health care team. Be frank with him about your circumstances and see what he advises.
July 7, 2009
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