What’s the Connection between Seniors’ Oral and Mental Health?

September 20, 2016

Filed under: Blog,Oral Health — tntadmin @ 10:46 am

One of the most devastating effects of aging is the decline in cognitive function that affects our elders in their later years. Some recent research points to declining oral health for elders as a factor affecting their mental health. In the US, the senior population is growing every day, and over a third of over-70 elders suffer from some form of mental impairment!

Senior Mental Health and Oral Health: What the Research Says

In a number of oral and cognitive health studies published from 1993-2013, some findings suggest a link between indicators of poor oral health and mental decline. A few studies show that elders with tooth loss, cavities and gum disease were more likely to be at risk of dementia and other mental health problems.

Other studies didn’t find a link, or differed on the number of cavities or missing teeth in our elders with mental health issues. On the whole, however, most of the studies found a greater prevalence of oral health issues in seniors with impaired cognition, especially dementia.

Even if research has not yet proved a direct causal link between the two, there is enough of a connection to raise concern about senior mental health and their oral hygiene.

How Is Senior Mental Health Affected By Poor Oral Hygiene?

Here are some of the possible factors that may link poor oral health and cognitive decline:

  • According to a North Shore University Hospital dentist named Dr. Jacqueline Sobota, there may be a shared inflammatory pathway for both cognitive impairment and poor oral health for seniors.
  • As per a Lenox Hill Hospital memory loss specialist and neurologist, Dr. Gayatri Devi, dementia may also cause apraxia, where patients forget a task they’ve learned previously, like brushing their teeth.
  • Patients with cognitive problems might also forget to brush or floss their teeth, even without apraxia. This could be a contributing factor affecting their dental health, according to Dr. Devi.

Maintaining Oral Health is Critical for Seniors

Dr. Gayatri Devi also added that seniors in the early stages of dementia typically continue to take care of their oral hygiene with the same attention they gave these tasks before their cognitive abilities were impaired. However, senior caregivers and healthcare providers need to pay special attention to their patients’ dental health.

Good oral hygiene is especially crucial for seniors, since dental problems are also associated with other conditions like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, pneumonia, etc. Brushing, flossing, eating healthy and visiting a dentist regularly can help keep a wide range of other problems at bay.

To learn more about dental health and tooth restorative solutions for seniors, call 623-925-8822 for a complimentary consultation at Joshua Hong DDS today!

TMJ Pain Treatment: What to Eat, What Not to Eat

September 8, 2016

Filed under: Blog,TMJ Treatment — tntadmin @ 1:09 pm

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a very painful experience which makes eating or chewing food a mammoth task. There are numerous ways to treat TMJ pain. One of them is following a proper diet. Let us take a look at some of the foods that help reduce TMJ pain.

    • FluidsFresh fruit juices, vegetable or chicken soup, broth, milk etc. should be consumed during TMJ. The jaw needs to be given sufficient rest to recover. A wholesome liquid diet will not only help in that but will also provide necessary nutrition to keep you going.
    • Soft FoodsHaving soft foods for TMJ is a very good idea. No or negligible chewing is required to make sure your TMJ gets enough rest. Heavy chewing of the usual foods like meat, raw vegetables, chips, etc. will worsen TMJ. Eat soft foods like porridge, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, milkshakes, smoothies etc.
    • Anti-Inflammatory FoodTo beat TMJ pain, add a good number of anti-inflammatory foods into your diet plan. Omega3 fatty acids have antioxidant properties and foods that are rich with them include cold water fish like salmon and mackerel. Consuming these fish helps reduce the inflammation of TMJ. Berries, broccoli and pepper are also good as anti-inflammatory foods. Also, add garlic and onion in your daily cooking and salads.
    • Foods Rich in MagnesiumMagnesium is very efficient in relaxing the nervous system and this serves well for those suffering from TMJ. Magnesium rich foods like nuts, lentils, dark leafy greens, beans, dried fruits, avocados, low-fat dairy products etc. can help relax the jaw muscles.
    • Foods Rich in CalciumResearches have indicated that calcium helps in reducing TMJ, just like magnesium. Unpolished rice,raw milk, spinach, green peas, cabbage, sesame, oranges, banana, wheat flour with husk, coconut, almond, groundnut etc. are great sources of calcium.
    • Other Nutritional SupplementsVitamin B is known to lower down stress levels which, in turn, can lower down TMJ pain. Its deficiency can be overcome by taking Vitamin B-Complex tablets/capsules for a few days as prescribed. Another important mineral for TMJ pain is glucosamine sulfate. It is known to repair cartilages and give relief from stiffness, swelling and pain in joint-related disorders like TMJ, osteoarthritis etc. However, it should only be consumed under experienced medical guidance as there are good chances of side effects. Raw parsley, Ginko Biloba and spinach are great sources of glucosamine.

What not to Eat while Experiencinging TMJ Pain

    • Crunchy FoodsWhen you have TMJ, avoid eating crunchy foods like chips, popcorn etc. Avoid hard rolls and hard vegetables like crisp celery and carrots as intensity pressure is required to chew them. It is important to include fruits and vegetables in the diet as the flavonoid in them can work as a natural anti-inflammatory substance.
    • Chewy FoodsChewy foods like caramel, chewing gum, tough pieces of meat, taffy, escargot etc. involve heavy and constant motion of the jaw which can elevate TMJ pain. Go for softer food like yogurt, bananas, fish, poultry and mashed potatoes to avoid any more damage.
    • Fatty FoodsStudies have shown that the fat content in some foods may cause increased inflammation in your body. Avoid red meat, pastries, fried foods and cream sauces to ease the pain caused by TMJ. Choose low-fat milk, chicken, pork, low-fat cheese, yogurt, fish etc. over any fatty foods.
    • Large Pieces of FoodTMJ is painful and in some cases it becomes very difficult to open the mouth more than a couple of inches. Biting on a huge chunk of food, especially while eating thick sandwiches, large portions of fruit or big pieces of any other food can overwork your jaw. The best solution is to nibble on smaller pieces.

Have you changed your diet but still experiencing pain? Do not wait for the worse and contact Joshua Hong DDS on 623.925.8822 today.