Classes are winding down at colleges and universities all over the country. If you’ve got a child in college they will soon be home for the summer. While most students joke about the “Freshman 15” weight gain that can occur when they leave home and indulge all their unhealthy eating choices, at the office we typically see “Freshman Cavities”.

Students often have busy schedules, poor eating and sleeping habits and can find themselves extremely stressed, especially during exam time. All of these add up to more dental problems than they ever had back in high school. While teeth may be brushed twice a day (hopefully), most kids don’t take the time to floss. Toss in the high sugar soft drinks and coffee concoctions that are imbibed all day long and the high carbohydrate diet and you have given oral bacteria everything they need to thrive.

The stress of school may also cause some students to start grinding or clenching their teeth. If your student complains of frequent headaches, jaw noises or pain, a funny feeling in the ears, neck or facial pain this could be the reason. Left untreated, this grinding (known as bruxism) can wear down the teeth and cause severe problems with the jaw joint.  A neuromuscular dentist can treat the bruxism before any long-term damage is done.

Please contact us today at 614-7476-6696 to schedule an appointment for your student. The summer will be over before you know it!