Health
Dentists see pandemic stress in patients with more grinding, cracked, broken teeth
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VICTORIA – Stress and anxiety connected to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is revealing itself in people’s mouths, say dentists who report increasing cases of patients with cracked, broken and damaged teeth over the past 20 months.
Bruce Ward, a Vancouver-area, dentist, said he’s noticing the pressures of the pandemic are causing more people to involuntarily clench their jaws and grind their teeth with extreme amounts of force while sleeping.
“It’s like two pieces of ivory rubbing together,” said Ward, describing the grinding sound often first noticed by others.
Signs of teeth grinding are an aching jaw in the morning, headache and sore teeth, but sometimes it’s much worse, he said.
“I pulled two teeth (recently) that were split right up the middle and right across the bottom of the tooth and right out the other side,” said Ward, about the patient’s teeth that were weakened by grinding.
Ward, a past president of the British Columbia Dental Association, said he has been participating in Zoom meetings with colleagues who say they are seeing more damaged teeth lately as a result of grinding, a condition known as bruxism.
“Particularly, during the last year-and-a-half it’s been a huge uptick all across our business,” he said.
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are usually related to stress and stress levels for people have increased during the pandemic, Ward said.
Teeth are designed to withstand chewing pressure, but involuntary grinding increases the function dramatically, to the point where teeth can crack, chip or loosen, he said.
“It’s very harmful to your joints and also it really stresses your muscles,” Ward said. “It also stresses your teeth. It’s huge, the force on your teeth.”
Dentists usually recommend patients start to use a special mouthpiece at night to protect their teeth and take measures to reduce stress in their lives.
“A lot of people say to me, `How can I stop it?,”’ Ward said. “And I go, ‘Move to Fiji, sell everything you’ve got and lay on the beach all day.’“
Nirmala Raniga, a Vancouver addictions and mental health counsellor, said the pandemic has placed extra stress on people and it can show itself in many different forms and places, including peoples’ mouths.
“Stress causes problems in your mouth where at night you can be clenching, grinding and that causes headaches, migraines,” she said. “It causes fractures in your teeth and fillings.”
Raniga said teeth grinding and clenching at night and sleep talking are signs of the body’s attempts to address emotional issues.
“It is a way of releasing stress,” she said. “Your body is releasing stress by grinding, so the idea is how do you release your stress by working through these painful memories.”
The Canadian Dental Association said evidence of increases in teeth grinding issues during the pandemic is anecdotal but delaying oral health care can lead to health problems.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of many, and has likely interrupted individuals’ good habits and daily routines,” said Dr. Aaron Burry, the association’s deputy CEO of professional affairs in a statement.
“More frequent snacking, consuming more sugary foods and beverages, not keeping up with regular dental visits, and not keeping up with regular brushing and flossing can lead to consequences,’ he said.
The dental association cited a March 2021 American Dental Association Health Policy Institute report where more than 70 per cent of dentists surveyed said they were seeing increases in patients who were teeth grinding and clenching, conditions associated with stress.
The not-for-profit association represents 163,000 dentist members and is the largest dental association in the United States.
McGill University published research last April that concluded good oral health reduced risks of death from COVID-19.
The researchers reported that COVID-19 patients with gum disease were 3.5 times more likely to end up in an intensive care units, 4.5 times more likely to require a ventilator, and almost nine times more likely to die compared with those without gum disease.
The Canadian Dental Association website suggests consulting with a dentist about bruxism and relaxation techniques to use during the day and before bedtime.
“Practice stress-reducing activities, such as staying physically active, yoga and meditation, deep breathing exercises, massage therapy, listening to music and or taking a bath,” says the website.
A nutritious diet and limits on caffeine and alcohol are also suggested as ways to reduce stress and ease teeth grinding, says the association. However, if it persists, you should visit a dental expert like this dentist in Melbourne FL immediately.
Dirk Meissner/The Canadian Press
Health
CFIA continues surveillance for HPAI in cattle, while sticking with original name for disease – RealAgriculture
The Canada Food Inspection Agency will continue to refer to highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle as HPAI in cattle, and not refer to it as bovine influenza A virus (BIAV), as suggested by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners earlier this month.
Dr. Martin Appelt, senior director for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in the interview below, says at this time Canada will stick with “HPAI in cattle” when referencing the disease that’s been confirmed in dairy cattle in multiple states in the U.S.
The CFIA’s naming policy is consistent with the agency’s U.S. counterparts’, as the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has also said it will continue referring to it as HPAI or H5N1.
Appelt explains how the CFIA is learning from the U.S. experience to-date, and how it is working with veterinarians across Canada to stay vigilant for signs of the disease in dairy and beef cattle.
As of April 19, there has not been a confirmed case of HPAI in cattle in Canada. Appelt says it’s too soon to say if an eventual positive case will significantly restrict animal movement, as is the case with positive poultry cases.
This is a major concern for the cattle industry, as beef cattle especially move north and south across the U.S. border by the thousands. Appelt says that CFIA will address an infection in each species differently in conjunction with how the disease is spread and the threat to neighbouring farms or livestock.
Currently, provincial dairy organizations have advised producers to postpone any non-essential tours of dairy barns, as a precaution, in addition to other biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of cattle contracting HPAI.
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Health
Toronto reports 2 more measles cases. Use our tool to check the spread in Canada – Toronto Star
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Canada has seen a concerning rise in measles cases in the first months of 2024.
By the third week of March, the country had already recorded more than three times the number of cases as all of last year. Canada had just 12 cases of measles in 2023, up from three in 2022.
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Cancer Awareness Month
Posted on: Apr 18, 2024
April is Cancer Awareness Month
As we recognize Cancer Awareness Month, we stand together to raise awareness, support those affected, advocate for prevention, early detection, and continued research towards a cure. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Métis women and the second leading cause of death for Métis men. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation Within Alberta is working hard to ensure that available supports for Métis Citizens battling cancer are culturally appropriate, comprehensive, and accessible by Métis Albertans at all stages of their cancer journey.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis, whether for yourself or a loved one, can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to turn for support. In June, our government will be launching the Cancer Supports and Navigation Program which will further support Métis Albertans and their families experiencing cancer by connecting them to OMG-specific cancer resources, external resources, and providing navigation support through the health care system. This program will also include Métis-specific peer support groups for those affected by cancer.
With funding from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) we have also developed the Métis Cancer Care Course to ensure that Métis Albertans have access to culturally safe and appropriate cancer services. This course is available to cancer care professionals across the country and provides an overview of who Métis people are, our culture, our approaches to health and wellbeing, our experiences with cancer care, and our cancer journey.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against cancer and ensure equitable access to culturally safe and appropriate care for all Métis Albertans. Please click on the links below to learn more about the supports available for Métis Albertans, including our Compassionate Care: Cancer Transportation program.
I wish you all good health and happiness!
Bobbi Paul-Alook
Secretary of Health & Seniors
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