Teeth grinding or bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth, conscious or unconscious. It happens mostly among children, with about 30 percent of them grinding, mostly while sleeping. Children can also grind their teeth during the day when they are stressed or anxious. Fortunately, most of them will stop grinding their teeth, usually around the time that they lose their deciduous or baby teeth.
Symptoms of Teeth Grinding Physical symptoms are mostly related to the teeth and jaw. The teeth can be chipped or look worn down, which can expose children to dental issues in the future if left untreated like sensitivity to cold and hot food and beverages. A child who grinds their teeth also complain of a sore jaw upon waking up or when chewing. Teeth grinding can lead to facial pain, earaches and headaches, as well as TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems. Bruxism can also be linked to emotional symptoms like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, stress and tension. Some people grind their teeth without any symptoms; they might not be aware that they do it, especially when they do so while they are asleep. In some cases, the only way for a person to know that they grind their teeth is when a family member hears them do so while they are sleeping. Causes of Teeth Grinding The causes of teeth grinding are now exactly known. Among children, bruxism is commonly diagnosed with a hyperactivity disorder or health issue like cerebral palsy. Bruxism can also be caused by certain medications and misaligned teeth. Among adults, it can liked to daily stress. Its symptoms can depend on several things, including the level of stress, ability to relax, sleeping habits and teeth alignment. Diagnosing Teeth Grinding A physical exam can already tell a dentist or any healthcare provider that the patient grinds their teeth. The doctor will notice the teeth and enamel has an apparent worn out appearance. Medical professionals mostly consider teeth grinding as a diagnosis if their patient complaints of any oral or facial pain, as well as soreness during chewing. Also, an exam can rule out other possible causes of these symptoms like ear infections. Preventing Teeth Grinding Among children, teeth grinding is considered as a natural reaction to growth and development, which cannot be prevented. Those that are stress-related, however, can be avoided. Consider setting a calming bedtime routine by limiting television and electronics, listening to calm music, or having a warm bath. Reduce stress by talking to a friend or a counselor, all the while working to eliminate as much surrounding stressors as possible. Treating Teeth Grinding Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the symptoms and, if there are any, the underlying cause. There are treatment options designed to reduce clenching and grinding, the most popular of which is wearing a mouthguard at night. Various kinds of mouthguards are available; a doctor will determine the right kind for a particular case. If the grinding is caused by misaligned teeth, a visit to the dentist is recommended. When stress is the underlying cause of teeth grinding, it is important for the medical health provider to get into the root of the emotional problems. For instance, the doctor can talk with the patient about things that worry them, including home life, school or new experiences. They can also create a plan to help the patient feel less anxious and worried. If there is no improvement, the doctor can further explore evaluation and treatment options. Living with Teeth Grinding Teeth grinding is not exactly dangerous, and most children will outgrow it. However, it can cause unpleasant symptoms that can interfere with daily living. Some tips to reduce and prevent pain are applying ice or heat to sore jaw muscles, massaging neck and face muscles, avoiding hard and chewy foods, learning physical therapy stretching exercises, reducing stress and relaxing the facial muscles. You can read more interesting articles about dentistry here: D. Dental's Blog
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A dental implant is a great solution for those who are looking to get restorative work to get a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. Because they function like natural teeth, they can also be prone to infections. They can fall out or become diseased if they are not given the proper care – just like your natural teeth.
There are many instances that can lead to dental implant infection. Although poor oral hygiene can lead to it, it is sometimes a matter of dental routine that does not address the implant’s needs. Using tobacco can lead to oral infections. You might also have an allergic reaction to the implant, which can sometimes happen at a later time and lead to an infection. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes and a compromised immune system can lead to the development of an infection at the site of the implant. If your bite misaligns because of tooth loss, injury or illness, it can lead to the growth of bacteria and eventually to an infection. Teeth clenching and grinding can also be another cause. If you have dental implants and think they might be infected, here are the following signs to look out for.
Remember that an infected dental implant can lead to serious oral damage when it is left untreated. If you think you have one, call your dentist immediately. With dental implants, it is important that you get professional care on a regular basis. Of course, it helps to have good oral hygiene at home as well. Talk to a dental care expert to learn more about implants. Losing your teeth can have a huge impact on the appearance of your smile and put a big dent on your self-confidence. At the same time, it also creates functionality issues. Two of the most common solutions that dentists use to address tooth loss are dental implants and dental bridges. But which of these two should you get? To make sure that you pick the right choice, read on as we go through each of their facts, pros and cons.
Dental Implants Implants are a great option if you lost a tooth to periodontal disease, injury or other reasons. An implant is a titanium post that supports a crown, which is surgically inserted to fuse into the jawbone. After this process of osseointegration is complete, the dental crown is cemented or screwed into it. Pros of Dental Implants
Cons of Dental Implants
Dental Bridges As its name suggest, a dental bridge bridges the gap between one or more missing teeth. The bridge is supported by implants or natural teeth on either side. It is composed of two or more crowns for each part of the gap. The anchoring teeth are referred to as the abutment teeth, while the false teeth in between are called pontics. Pros of Dental Bridges
Cons of Dental Bridges
The choice that will work best for you will highly depend on your unique situation. It helps that you work with your dentist and look into your state of oral health, basic finances and access to dental care to help you determine the right choice for you. We all have seen numerous advertisements that tout that effectiveness and convenience of whitening strips. Many of us might have even considered giving them a try. However, we all ask the same thing: Does it really work? This is, after all, a fair question, considering the dangers of putting unknown products in our bodies. Read on as we learn more about whitening strips.
There are several reasons why teeth can become discolored. Age, medications, trauma, tobacco, and food and drinks consumed – all of these contribute to tooth discoloration. There are some cases where discoloration can be treated with whitening agents that give a brighter and more vibrant smile. This is where whitening strips come to the picture. What Use Teeth Whitening Strips? Easy and convenient to use, tooth whitening strips are applied over the top of the teeth. they require no preparation and does not get messy like other teeth whitening methods. Whitening strips are mostly preferred over other whitening methods because of how easy they are to use. Aside from allowing you to take them practically anywhere, you also only need to wear them for a few minutes, not hours like standard whitening kits. How Do Teeth Whitening Strips Work? Whitening strips work the same way as bleach whitens your hair or your clothes. It contains peroxide which penetrates the surfaces and bleaches the color off your teeth to allow the natural, whiter color to show through. Most whitening strips are coated with a gel that contains peroxide. You simply apply the strip onto the teeth so that the peroxide gel comes into contact with the enamel. Afterwards, you let it stay and remove according to the package instructions. Such ease of use makes them very popular today. How Long Before Teeth Whitening Strips Work? Considering that every person is unique, each one is bound to experience different results with teeth whitening strips. Upon application, the whitening strips will immediately go to work and bleach the color of your enamel. On average, you should start to see a noticeable difference in about five to seven days. How Long Does the Whitening Effects Last? Manufacturers stress that your habits determine the length of the treatment. Drinking wine, tea and coffee, and smoking tobacco, can cause tooth discoloration. Consumers report that whitening strips last about 12 months on average, depending on hygiene, oral habits and diet. Help your teeth stay whiter for longer by religiously following a good oral health regimen that includes brushing, rinsing and flossing. Try to limit your intake of food and drinks that stain the teeth. It also helps to get regular examinations and professional cleaning from your dentist twice a year. Before you start any teeth whitening treatment, it is important that you first consult your dentist to get your gums and teeth evaluated. Remember that bleaching agents do not work on infected or damaged teeth; thus, these oral issues should be addressed before you start whitening. There are many reasons why your dentist would recommend that you get your wisdom teeth removed, including cavities, overcrowding, infection and disease. Before going through the procedure, it is important that you talk to your doctor or oral surgeon and get all your questions answered. After the surgery, it is normal to experience some amount of discomfort, swelling and pain. Below are tips to help make the healing process go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Just like any kind of surgery, wisdom tooth extraction also has its risks. Fortunately, you can greatly decrease these risks and give you a quick and smooth healing process. You just have to follow the tips above and any other instructions your oral surgeon might give you for a seamless recovery. Do not hesitate to talk to your dentist if you have any more questions. |
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May 2019
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