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f continued How are Americans dealing with these difficult economic times? If you ask dentists, they’re taking the stress out on their teeth. In the fall of 2009, the Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 of its mem- bers to see if stressing about the economy was wreaking havoc on patients’ oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists sur- veyed said their patients reported increased stress in their lives. And 65 percent of dentists said they have seen an increase in jaw clench- ing and teeth grinding among their patients. Jaw clenching and teeth grind- ing, or bruxism, can be a temporary nuisance during stressful times that causes headaches and sleep prob- lems, but it can also cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums. It can lead to muscle inflammation, broken teeth or even damaged den- tal work, such as crowns and fillings. Dentists are sharing the following tips with their patients to help them cope with the pressures of the world — before their teeth pay the price: Take a pain reliever. If grind- ing and clenching is causing you headaches and muscle soreness in your jaw, take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as Advil or Aleve, shortly before bedtime. Massage. Try massaging the mus- cles along your jaw line, from the joint near your ear all the way to your chin to relieve jaw soreness. Avoid caffeine. Coffee may help you get going in the morning, but caffeine combined with stress can lead to increased muscle tension. Increase your consumption of water. If cutting caffeine completely from your life won’t work for you, at least try to avoid it within several hours of bedtime. Be careful with your diet. When the jaw muscles get inflamed, it’s best to go easy on them for a while by avoiding foods that require vigor- ous chewing. Ice and gum chew- ing are a definite no-no. And don’t even think about that triple-decker cheeseburger that almost requires you to unhinge your jaw to eat it. Exercise. You didn’t want to hear this one did you? But exercise relieves stress and reduces anxiety, the two biggest culprits of grinding. Meditate. Try a yoga class to achieve some relaxation. Even tak- ing a moment before bedtime to do some deep breathing can be a big help. Wear a mouth guard. If you have serious grinding and clenching issues, talk to your dentist about a mouth guard to wear at night. The Chicago Dental Society recently held its 145th annual mid- winter meeting, which brought more than 30,000 dental profession- als to Chicago in February. The meeting is a forum for den- tists to learn about new products, technologies and methods. DT DENTAL TRIBUNE | March 2010 News 3A AD By Keri Kramer, Chicago Dental Society Top tips to prevent tooth grinding Business Center attendees. The president of the Chile Den- tal Association, Dr. María Eugenia Valle, was in California when the quake struck her country and said in an e-mail that she was very ner- vous because she was there with her three young grandsons, unable to fly to Chile. The executive secretary of the association, Dr. Patricio López, said from Santiago that the narrow geography of Chile has made it difficult to assess the total damage because there are no alternative roads to the main ones to travel south. The city most affected by the quake was Concepción, 311 miles (500 kms) south of the capital. After some initial riots caused by the closing of the main supermarkets there, the government said that order was restored in the city. DT Salon Dental Chile Director Miguel Wechsler at the Salon Dental Chile expo entrance in 2009.