Dental wellness, otherwise known as oral hygiene, is admittedly not the most exciting topic in the world. If you’re like me, you may recall dozing off during those tooth and gum lectures we all received in our health education classes in junior high. Yet mounting evidence underscores the importance of sound oral hygiene as it impacts our overall state of health. Indeed, dental wellness is critically important to anyone who wants to keep their teeth, enjoy the full benefits of healthy eating and experience a high level of overall health and vitality. This is especially true for people in recovery, who generally have a good deal of work to do in cleaning up their nutritional acts. 

 

In my earlier years, I was a prime example of what NOT to do in the realm of dental health. Despite being allergic to chocolate, in junior high and high school I kept a stash of candy bars hidden in my desk that I’d scarf down during class. During my teens my mouth was totally bombed out and I vividly recall my dentist throwing up his hands, claiming that I was developing cavities faster than he could fill them! By my early 40s, I had enough gold crowns in my mouth to fill Fort Knox. I also developed gingivitis, also known as periodontal disease or gum disease, partly as a result of foregoing dental care during a five-year stint in graduate school.

 

 

Please feel free to share these tips with your clients and program staff, and anyone else who might benefit from this message.

 

Gum disease, which is prevalent among alcoholics and addicts, generally develops through failing to practice proper oral hygiene and basic preventive measures. While gum disease wreaks havoc with our teeth and gums, scientists have discovered that it is also a culprit in a wide range of serious health problems.

 

According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), persons with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from various forms of heart disease, including premature heart attacks. The presence of gum disease also is associated with a heightened risk for stroke (AAP, 2006). It is speculated that the inflammation caused by gum disease increases plaque build up in blood vessels, contributing to arterial blockage. In addition, the AAP reports that pregnant women with gum disease may be seven times more likely to deliver prematurely. It appears that the presence of gum disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor, thus prompting premature birth in many cases. The problem is compounded with substance using women, who are often malnourished throughout their pregnancies.

 

Many people with substance abuse histories experience serious tooth and gum problems due to malnutrition and lack of proper hygiene. Recovering alcoholics often develop a “sweet tooth”, which poses obvious dental challenges. The mouths of methamphetamine addicts are often totally “bombed out”, due to the corrosive nature of the chemicals used in making meth, combined with the tendency of wired addicts to grind their teeth (Braswell, 2006, Newport, 2006).  In addition, as a group, methamphetamine addicts are notoriously malnourished.

 

 

1. Nutrition—A nutritious, whole foods-based diet that minimizes sugar intake is critically important in keeping your teeth and gums in good shape. Both my book, The Wellness-Recovery Connection, and my recently released workbook, Nutritional Foundations for Recovery, provide detailed guidance in this area. 

 

2. Clean your teeth and gums regularly—Ideally, we should brush and clean between our teeth after every meal. Ask your hygienist to show you the proper way to brush and floss, and follow her advice. If you have gum disease, it may be helpful to brush your teeth and gums with an electric tooth brush and thoroughly clean between your teeth using a water pick, proxy brush or brush pick. Carry a small pack of brush picks with you to thoroughly clean in between your teeth when you are unable to brush after eating. 

 

3. Visit your dentist and hygienist on a regular basis—Be sure to get a dental examination and cleaning twice a year.  If you don’t believe you can afford regular dental care, check with a local dental school or your health department concerning  possible availability of free or low cost care. 

 

A good hygienist, incidentally, is worth his or her weight in gold! Throughout most of my adult life I’ve suffered with gum disease and have had more than my share of crown work and root canal procedures. Several years ago I linked up with a hygienist who really knows her stuff. Rather than berating me on the sorry state of my gums, she instructed me to thoroughly brush my teeth and gums after every meal and major snack, followed by thoroughly cleaning between my teeth with a proxy brush and dental floss.  Sure it takes a bit of extra time, but at age 68, I’m determined to have my teeth serve me for another 25 to 30 years, God willing. And knock on wood—after following her regimen over the past two years, I no longer experience any bleeding in my gums and have reduced my plaque build-up to a minimal level.

 

So here’s the closing line—If yours truly can get back on track with dental wellness after many years of abuse, you and your clients can do the same. Until next time—to your health!

John Newport, Ph.D. is an addictions specialist, writer and speaker based in Port Townsend, Washington.  He is author of The Wellness-Recovery Connection: Charting Your Pathway to Optimal Health While Recovering from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, and is currently completing a Wellness and Recovery Workbook Series in collaboration with the Gorski-CENAPS® Corporation.  For further information on The Wellness-Recovery Connection, or visit www.wellnessandrecovery.com.  For information on the Wellness and Recovery Workbook Series, visit www.relapse.org.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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