But, according to dental experts the stress students experience during this time of the year may be detrimental to their oral health.,”

Finals. The time of year when students realize how much they didn't learn, fill their coffee cups and grit their teeth in anticipation for the excruciating experience to come.

According to dental experts, the cramming, caffeine addictions and stress may have a detrimental effect on oral health.

"There is no one qualifier to maintaining oral health, but it's a common occurrence that the stress from finals causes Bruxism, which is a condition that results after a person clenches their teeth together and manifests itself in tooth pain," said Joseph Vitolo, director of the Advanced Care Clinic and clinical assistant professor at the School of Dentistry.

According to Vitolo, gum problems also arise through ANUG, which is irritation in gum tissue between the teeth. Mild facial pain and muscle spasms as a result of clenching teeth may also occur. Students become more susceptible to cavities because of abandonment of oral health practices such as brushing.

"Students need to remember that oral health is a part of general health and poor oral health results from poor oral hygiene," said Christopher Okunseri, assistant professor and program director of the predoctoral program in public health in the School of Dentistry.

Oral hygiene includes brushing twice a day, flossing and using mouthwash and a suggested fluoride supplement.

Both Okunseri and Vitolo said there may be a trend of abandoning oral health practices during finals.

Even the president of the Marquette American Student Dental Association Frank Caputo, a College of Health Sciences senior, said he has skipped brushing on occasion.

"I know how stress can make someone just say 'Forget this, I'm going to bed,' "Caputo said. "It's rare, but every now and again I'm guilty of going to bed without brushing and flossing."

Caputo added, though, that ideally students should have their own dental routine before they go to bed and when they wake up.

"Though most students get by the college years all right, they develop bad oral healthcare habits that can remain for the rest of their lives," Vitolo said. "This is an important time for students to be aware of oral health."

“