It’s mid-July and many of our recent high school graduates are now preparing for life in a dorm. Starting college is one of life’s big steps towards autonomy or being fully on your own. In all of the excitement and change, it can be easy to overlook your dental health. All too often we see young adults who enter college with no cavities and return home for the holidays with gingivitis and multiple cavities.
You do not get a second chance to make a first impression. Make sure your first impressions on campus, whether with roommates, new friends, professors, or potential dates, include a bright, healthy smile and fresh breath. For many students, this might be the first time you’re fully in charge of your own dental health, and it’s important to get off to a great start. Make sure that your packing list includes all of the tools that you will need to keep that healthy smile. This includes a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and floss. Dorm living involves sharing space with roommates, including the bathroom, so purchase a case for easy storage, portability, and protection against someone else using your toothbrush. Pack your retainer if you have had orthodontic treatment and/or your mouthguard if you play sports. Having these items readily available makes it easier to stick to your oral care routine, as you meet new people, adjust to your new courseload, and learn how to navigate life on your own. When you oversleep or stay up late studying, it can be tempting to skip brushing and flossing your teeth. This can lead to inflamed, bleeding gums, cavities, and bad breath. This will not only have a negative effect on your oral and overall health, but on your social life as well.
For many new college students, the stress of balancing school assignments, personal care, late-night study sessions followed by early morning exams and/or classes, a part-time job and multiple social events can be completely overwhelming. People react differently when put into stressful situations. This stress can lead to habits like teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw clenching, nail-biting, chewing on pens or ice or stress-eating (the famous freshmen ten). This can cause jaw pain, headaches, TMD, inflamed gums and physical damage to your teeth. Stress can also affect your salivary glands. Dry mouths breed harmful bacteria. Staying hydrated with fluoridated water is one of the body’s most reliable defenses against tooth decay and gum disease. Limiting snacking, choosing healthy foods, and swishing water after each snack and meal will help to keep your mouth clean and hydrated.
High stress can also lead to anxiety or depression. Many college students are reluctant to tell someone they are struggling with the stress of college life. A lack of personal hygiene is one of the negative behaviors that accompany overwhelming anxiety and depression. Neglecting your oral health can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and swollen, bleeding gums, which can lower your self-esteem and exacerbate depression, and anxiety. Reach out to your RA or your counselor. They have the experience, guidance, and resources to lower your stress and meet your individual needs as you adjust.
Knowing how to respond to dental emergencies can help you protect your oral health and avoid complications that could interfere with your studies. Decayed and abscessed teeth do not resolve themselves on their own, and a chipped tooth or a painful, impacted and/or infected wisdom tooth will need to be seen immediately to evaluate, treat, and prevent further damage. While orienting yourself to the campus, be sure to find out where on-campus health services or dental clinics are located. The financial aid office at your university can also assist you with resources such as emergency grants or funds if you experience a medical or dental emergency.
Dental offices in college towns sometimes provide discounts for college students. If there is a dental school on campus or in the city where your university is located, they provide services at a lower cost. Being diligent about routine dental exams, daily oral hygiene, and eating a healthy diet will serve you well as you enter this new stage of independence and throughout your life. Schedule your dental exam when you’re home for winter or summer break. Most college students live on tight budgets, so it’s essential to prevent expensive dental procedures through consistent care.
Dr. Stephen Petras
An Illinois Licensed General Dentist