We as Americans are a nation of strong people… pull yourself up by your bootstraps, stiff upper lip kinds of Top Mckinney Orthodontics people. At least that is what we always thought, right? However, the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely taken its toll. We are all very aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and, at Smiles Hollywood Orthodontics, we vigilantly monitor ourselves for them. We know about wearing masks, washing our hands, and keeping our distance from others.
There are kudos to be handed out to all: Teachers have worked double and triple time preparing lessons for a variety of learning modes while also managing the learning needs of their own children. Parents without teaching degrees were thrust into being teachers for their own children in a greater role than usual while still trying to perform their own jobs if they were still working.
There is no doubt that tensions were running high in our great country because of all the stressors we as a nation have faced since January 2020. In case you need to hear this, it is okay to take a deep breath and realize that we are all doing the best we possibly can. The situation the country found itself in was unprecedented and we are writing the owner’s manual as we go along. No one can deny it.
While we have been concentrating on so many things, we could be overlooking others. The American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute has found that our stress from the pandemic situation may be taking a toll on our mouths, as well as our mental health.
For people from the age of 15 years old to 44 years old, mental issues such as depression, anxiety, and any other disorders are known to be the main cause of disabilities and health issues. These disorders cause common coping mechanisms such as straining your teeth by grinding or clenching, biting down too hard, and unhealthy eating habits.
In a Top Mckinney Orthodontics study conducted at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, it was proven that in the United States, we do not meet the recommended daily amount of vegetable intake we should. Only 27.2% of Americans ate three or more servings of healthy food every day. There are about 332,403,650 American citizens, and if only 27.2% of people have a consistently healthy diet, that is only about 90,413,793 people. It is important that people start taking initiative in maintaining their physical health by adjusting their dietary needs, such as eating healthier and paying attention to what nutrients are in the food items that are being consumed. Not only does it benefit your physical health, but also significantly benefits your mental health and will release that unwanted tension in your mouth and on your teeth, and will also maintain stronger and whiter teeth, leaving you with a happy and healthy mouth!
This study includes further detail on just how important your diet really is. The food we eat gives our brain and body energy and fuel. When we do not provide the proper amount of fuel to function correctly, our bodies go into overdrive, straining our bodies and brains, and leaving us with no motivation, tiredness, and lack of serotonin; Hence, the increased levels of depression and bigger tolls we take on our mouths since our diet consists of processed and sugary foods.
Now obviously, we can’t just be told to eat healthier and not know what the best food options are… The top seven foods that hold the most organic antidepressants are oysters, mussels, fresh seafood, grass-fed organ meats (livers, hearts, brains, and intestines), leafy greens (kale, romaine, and arugula), peppers, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts). All of these foods hold the most vital Top Mckinney Orthodontics nutrients our bodies need such as folate, iron, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), magnesium, potassium, selenium, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, and zinc. These 12 nutrients truly make a difference in bettering your physical and mental health, and any foods that have these nutrients need to start being a necessity in our day-to-day diets.
So now that we know some healthier, natural ways to better our physical and mental health, let’s look at some of the other benefits that come along with these 7 foods. Our diet will not only make us physically look better, but it also significantly increases our chances of a much longer and healthier life. It is also much cheaper than paying for antidepressant pills and it protects our bodies from the harmful side effects of these medicines. Sometimes, antidepressants can cause hormonal or bodily problems or even mental problems. If we do not take the correct dosage, or we are not consistent with the Top Mckinney Orthodontics medication that we depend on for our mental health, it could be truly detrimental and very dangerous. That is why you should start with these top 7 foods that are the most natural and organic, and can be very tasty, and just see what differences could be made for you, not only for your Top Mckinney Orthodontics physical and mental health but for your mouth as well.
Dentists and orthodontics have been noticing a tremendously increased prevalence of stress-related mouth conditions such as grinding and clenching of teeth, resulting in chipped or cracked teeth and Top Mckinney Orthodontics problems with the temporomandibular joints, more commonly known as TMJ. These conditions obviously affect the teeth and jaws, but can also cause headaches. I mean seriously, who wants to have more headaches?! Also, did you know that crowded and out-of-place teeth can start causing you to grind your teeth and clench your jaw while you are sleeping at night? And what makes it even worse – this detrimental habit on your teeth and mouth is happening when you are asleep and don’t even realize it!
As our nation has worked through the pandemic, dental health professionals can help with “oral stress”. An orthodontist can help with straightening teeth that are being damaged or with moving interfering teeth that are causing us to grind at night. Invisalign or Clear Aligner Retainer treatment, and Braces are great options for straightening teeth, and custom mouth guards are effective to help prevent damage to teeth from grinding and clenching. If damage has occurred, please see a dentist or orthodontist for recommendations on repairs to the teeth or jaws. Smiles Hollywood Orthodontics has been here to help you get through the pandemic.
If you are interested in getting or learning more about braces or Invisalign/Clear Aligner Treatment, call us at 972-529-9700 or visit our website at SmilesHollywood.com to book your FREE consultation. Let our incredible team at Smiles Hollywood Orthodontics help give you and your loved one the Smile of your dreams!