3 Reasons Why University Students Must Visit Their Family Dentist

Taking care of your teeth is extremely important, even while you’re at university! Our Calgary family dentist offers comprehensive services from teeth cleanings and whitenings, to emergency dental care and Invisalign, to take care of all your student dental needs. 

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University life can be a lot of fun, but it’s also important to take the time to look after your physical and mental health so you can make the most of your time as a student. One of the most crucial things you can do is visit your family dentist regularly and take good care of your oral health.

This is important because it will help prevent:

• tooth decay/tooth loss
• high dental fees for extensive procedures
• gum disease
• oral cancer

Our Calgary Family Dentist Offers Comprehensive Student Dental Care

Are you a student at SAIT or MRU? You can use your dental coverage at our Calgary dental clinic to ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy throughout your university career. From teeth whitenings to regular check-ups, our Calgary family dentists have everything you need to maintain good oral health.

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3 Reasons Why University Students Have a Higher Oral Health Risk

If you’re a university student, it’s very likely that you haven’t received any kind of specialised dental care advice from your family dentist. Young adults (18-24) often get lumped into the ‘adults’ category when receiving dental care, when the truth is, you have your own unique set of risk factors that set you apart from other age groups.

Here are three main risk factors that could be affecting your oral health:

1. Alcohol Use

At university, it’s not uncommon for many students to go to all-night parties or other events where there is alcohol. While drinking in moderation is perfectly fine, binge drinking can be detrimental to your overall health, as well as your teeth and gums.

Excessive alcohol intake can lead to:

• tooth decay
• staining of your teeth
• dry mouth and halitosis
• increased risk of throat and oral cancers

Sometimes, avoiding drinks altogether can be difficult but with the proper care you can keep your teeth healthy while enjoying yourself within reason. Try these simple tips to keep your smile sparkling:

• alternate drinks with water to rinse your teeth of any sugars or citrus
• drink through a straw to concentrate the beverage
• take extra care to brush and floss your teeth regularly
• visit your family dentist every 6 months

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2. Tobacco Use

Students are at an increased health risk when they smoke or chew tobacco products. Whether you are an occasional, ‘social’ smoker, or a pack-a-day kind of person, you need to understand the harmful effects this habit has on you - and especially your mouth.

Visible Effects of Smoking

• yellow/Brown Teeth
• bleeding Gums
• hardening of Plaque
• tooth Decay
• dry Mouth

Not-So-Visible Effects of Smoking

• redness
• loose teeth
• pain when chewing
• bad breath
• receding gums
• increased risk of cancer and Ppre-cancerous lesions

Quitting is the best thing you can do for your oral and overall health, but if you haven’t kicked the butts yet, you should increase how regimented you are with your oral hygiene routine. Make sure to:

• rinse with a mouthwash every day
• floss once a day to avoid plaque build up
• brush your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day
• have your tongue and gums checked at all dental appointments
• visit your family dentist every six months

Bottom Line: If you want healthy teeth and gums that last a lifetime, make sure you take care of them. Quit smoking and visit your dentist for support, tips, and how to take care of your teeth moving forward.

 

3. Stress and Lack of Sleep

Stress and lack of sleep aren’t problems limited only to college students, but they’re definitely big players on the scene. If you’re like many students, you may not pay close attention to basic hygiene routines during high-stress periods and you’re more likely to turn to tobacco and alcohol to ease your stress.

Did you know that stress can:

• decrease your salivary flow, leading to a higher risk of cavities
• cause your body to secrete an inflammatory cytokine, leading to gum inflammation
• increase your risk for gingivitis

That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly. If stress or lack of sleep is causing problems for you, your oral health professional can catch them early and advise you on ways to avoid their harmful effects on your body.

 

We’re Here To Help Minimise Your Oral Health Risk

As your dentist, our priority is to keep you well and free of oral problems. We are easily accessible via the LRT and are open on Saturdays and difficult hours to provide convenient services for you.

If you are a student at SAIT or MRU, talk to one of our team members about using your dental health coverage by calling us at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.