Tips for Teeth-Grinders

Here's what you can do to try to stop bruxing and to cope with discomfort until you do:

Wear a night guard. Your dentist can make a plastic or acrylic appliance for you to wear at night. Although it may not stop you from grinding, it will redistribute the forces from grinding and protect your teeth from damage. Your dentist will want to see you regularly to check for any tooth movement or cavities that might result from wearing such an appliance. Keep in mind, however, that in order for the night guard to do any good, you must remember to put it in.

Keep your lips sealed, but your teeth apart. Your teeth should be touching only when you're chewing or swallowing. Drop your jaw and feel the muscles relax -- then try to maintain that feeling.

Take a warm bath before bedtime. The warmth of the water may temporarily relax your jaw muscles.

Exercise. Your body, not your jaw, that is. A walk or other mild exercise may help relieve some of the tension and stress that's causing bruxism.

Remind yourself. If you're a daytime clencher, think of ways to remind yourself not to clench. For example, you can put a red dot on your phone, stickers on your wristwatch, or even a string on your finger to remind you to keep your jaw relaxed.

Relieve stress. Stress is a major contributor to grinding, so if you can reduce stress, you will likely reduce grinding.

Learn coping skills. See a psychologist or psychiatrist. Take an assertiveness training course. Practice techniques such as progressive relaxation or guided imagery or self hypnosis. Listen to relaxation tapes. In other words, find something that helps you to better handle the stress in your life.

Take a mild analgesic. Ibuprofen, for example, can dull the pain and help relax stiff muscles. For a list of precautions to take when using over-the-counter analgesics, click here.

Apply heat. Warm, moist heat is best. The simplest method: Soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and hold it up to your jaw. You can use a heating pad, although moist heat will penetrate better.

Massage. It works for the rest of your body, so try a gentle massage to your jaw muscles.

Give your jaw muscles a break. Limit steak, hard-crusted bread, popcorn, gum, and other chewy foods that give your jaw a workout, especially when jaw discomfort is at its worst.
These tips should help you ease your jaw pain and get your bruxism under control before you grind your teeth into dust.

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Can Coconut Oil Combat Tooth Decay?

The best defense against acidic substances that cause tooth decay in your mouth is of course your saliva, but a recent study suggests that coconut oil may also help against potentially harmful bacteria that can take up residence inside your mouth.

Scientists from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland tested the antibacterial qualities of coconut oil in and found that an enzyme-modified version was able to strongly inhibit most strains of Streptococcus bacteria including Streptococcus mutans; the latter is an acid-producing bacterium that is a major cause of tooth decay. It was also found to be effective against the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause thrush (bacteria overgrowth) in the mouth.

Tooth decay, in particular, is a major problem because of poor dental habits. According to recent research from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 50-percent of children ages 12 to 15 and 67 percent of teens ages 16 to 19 have tooth decay.

The Irish Researchers recommended that the oil be added to dental hygiene products, considering that it can work at relatively low concentrations in fighting the widespread tooth decay problem. Some people have also utilized the technique of oil pulling in a bid to reduce exposure to harmful bacteria in the mouth, which consists of swishing around coconut oil or other oils with water in an effort to kill the bacteria before spitting it out. The American Dental Association currently has not made a recommendation on the technique or coconut oil’s benefits for fighting tooth decay, however.

For now, the best way to prevent tooth decay is to make sure to thoroughly brush all of your teeth twice a day, floss every day and make regular visits to your dentist for a check-up as well as a full service teeth cleaning.

Source: http://www.floss.com/coconut-oil-could-combat-tooth-decay.html

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Here are the top five dental symptoms you should never ignore:

1. Toothache- Besides being painful, toothaches can signify a wide variety of serious problems, ranging from a cavity to an abscess, impacted tooth or gum disease. A visit to the dentist following a toothache can help save the tooth, and help to identify the underlying cause of the problem before it gets worse.

2. Bleeding or Sore Gums- Many people know about gingivitis from mouthwash TV commercials, but fewer know about these potential symptoms and their link. Luckily, gingivitis is an early and reversible stage of gum disease that is treatable, so be sure to see a dentist if you experience these symptoms.

3. Jaw pain- This could be a precursor to many different possible ailments, with many possible causes such as teeth grinding, sinus problems, or an injury to the jaw. A dentist can determine the source of the problem through an exam and/or x-rays, so be sure to make a visit if you experience pain, popping or clicking in the jaw.

4. Sensitive Teeth- Many companies make products for sensitive teeth, but such products don’t address the root of the problem, which could be related to fractured teeth, worn tooth enamel or fillings, tooth decay and more. Be sure to see a dentist if the problem persists for an extended period of time.

5. Cracked or broken tooth- These can happen for a number of reasons, and are sometimes very hard to spot, even on x-rays. They can often be precipitated by pain while chewing and can lead to bigger problems in a short amount of time. If you suspect a broken tooth, be sure to contact your dentist right away.

Source: Mouth Healthy website from the American Dental Association http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/top-ten-dental-symptoms.aspx

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New Year’s Resolutions for a Healthy Smile

With the new year approaching, you may have already begun to think about your New Year’s resolutions. You may be considering resolving to save money, get a better job or lose weight. Many people set new goals about having a healthier lifestyle in the new year. Why not make one of your New Year’s resolutions improving your dental health?
Healthy resolutions can keep your teeth healthy, and any of the following strategies will go a long way toward giving you a brighter, healthier smile in the coming year:

Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables

Eating well is important for your dental health. Poor nutrition can affect the entire immune system, increasing susceptibility to many common oral disorders, including gum (periodontal) disease. Antioxidants and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, helping to protect your teeth and gums. In addition, crisp fruits and raw vegetables like apples, carrots and celery help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath.

Quit Smoking or Using Other Tobacco Products

Using tobacco can harm your mouth in a number of ways, increasing your risk for tooth discoloration, cavities, gum recession, gum disease and throat, lung and oral cancer. Smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers. It’s not just smoking tobacco that has negative effects on your oral health: use of smokeless tobacco can be just as harmful to your oral health. The good news is that the risk of tooth loss decreases after you quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

You may already know that excessive alcohol intake can have an effect on your overall health, but did you know that it may also affect your oral health? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, those who smoke, eat poorly and consume excessive alcohol also have increased gum recession (periodontal pocketing). Their studies show that smokers who regularly consume alcohol are less likely to brush their teeth on a regular basis and are less concerned about their basic health than nonsmokers.

Brush at Least Twice a Day and Floss at Least Once a Day

Brushing and flossing protect your teeth from decay and gum disease, which is caused by your teeth’s most persistent enemy, plaque – a sticky, colorless, invisible film of harmful bacteria that builds up on your teeth every day. Both brushing and flossing are equally important for good oral health: according to the Academy of General Dentistry, only flossing can remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline, where decay and gum disease often begins.
Without proper brushing and flossing, you may develop bleeding gums, which may worsen to severely swollen, red, bleeding gums (gingivitis) and, eventually, gum disease. Because diseases of the mouth can affect the rest of your body, it is especially important to maintain good oral health.

See Your Dentist for Regular Checkups

By seeing your dentist at least twice a year, you can help prevent any dental health problems before they cause discomfort or require more comprehensive or expensive treatment. Regular visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and recommend a dental health regimen to address areas of concern.

For this new year, resolve to treat your mouth right: improve your diet, quit smoking and improve your oral hygiene habits – your teeth and your body will thank you for it!

1-877-Dr Teeth- (360) 740-6212

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Holiday sweets can be tough on teeth

The winter holidays are known for sweet treats and tempting goodies, but that doesn't mean that you have to end up at the dentist with cavities in January.

How do sweet foods and drinks cause cavities?

When you eat sugary foods or drinks, naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar and create acids as a by-product. These acids then wear down the tooth enamel, making it weaker and more susceptible to tooth decay as well as a host of other problems, including gingivitis.
Snacking on sweets throughout the day or during an extended period of time (such as at a holiday party) is especially harmful, since damaging acids form in the mouth every time you eat a sugary snack and continue to affect the teeth for at least 20 minutes afterwards.
"Snacking on sweets and sugary beverages throughout the day can increase the chance of tooth decay and gum disease," says Ken Sutherland, DDS, a senior Delta Dental dentist consultant. "Brushing and flossing after snacks definitely reduces bacteria."

Simple steps for holiday oral care

The best way to avoid cavities while still enjoying your holiday indulgences is to practice good oral hygiene. Here are some tips to help:

• Eating sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods as part of a balanced meal is better than eating them alone. The body produces more saliva to help digest larger meals, which washes away more food and helps neutralize harmful acids before they can attack teeth.
• Foods that take a long time to chew can damage teeth. That's because sticky foods, including nutritious choices like raisins, dates and dried fruit, hold acid against teeth longer than do other foods. Try to limit your consumption of these foods.
• After consuming high-acid food (fruits) or drinks (wine), rinse with water before brushing your teeth to prevent tooth erosion from the acids.
• Keep a toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste handy (for example, in your pocket or purse or store these in the glove compartment of your car) so that you can brush right after eating at holiday parties. An added benefit is that you are less likely to eat after you brush your teeth, so you may end up eating less at parties.
• If you're unable to brush your teeth after eating, rinsing your mouth thoroughly with water or chewing sugar-free gum will help to wash away food particles, produce more saliva and neutralize acids in your mouth

"Brush up" on your technique

Use your holiday vacations to spend more time brushing your teeth. If you're relaxed or have more free time during the day or with your morning or nightly routine, you can use the time to brush more thoroughly and develop better oral care habits.
It isn't necessary to brush vigorously to get your teeth clean. What's important when brushing your teeth is not how hard you scrub, but that you use the proper technique and that you do a thorough job. And that takes time. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth for two to three minutes to get the most thorough cleaning.

If you get into the habit of brushing for two to three minutes every morning, every night and after every meal during the holidays, you may keep those good habits when your regular routine resumes.

1-877-Dr Teeth- (360) 740-6212

Town Center Dental

3 Locations - Chehalis, Wa -- Rochester, Wa -- Rainier, Or

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Tobacco and Dental Health

How Does Smoking Lead to Gum Disease?

Smoking and other tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections, such as periodontal disease, and also seems to impair blood flow to the gums - which may affect wound healing.

Do Pipe and Cigar Smoking Cause Dental Problems?

Yes, like cigarettes, pipes and cigars do lead to oral health problems. According to results of a 23-year long study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, cigar smokers experience tooth loss and alveolar bone loss (bone loss within the jawbone that anchors teeth) at rates equivalent to those of cigarette smokers. Pipe smokers also have a similar risk of tooth loss as cigarette smokers. Beyond these risks, pipe and cigar smokers are still at risk for oral and pharyngeal (throat) cancers -- even if they don't inhale -- and other oral consequences -- bad breath, stained teeth, and increased risk of periodontal (gum) disease.

Are Smokeless Tobacco Products Safer?

No. Like cigars and cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products (for example, snuff and chewing tobacco) contain at least 28 chemicals that have been shown to increase the risk of oral cancer and cancer of the throat and esophagus. In fact, chewing tobacco contains higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes, making it harder to quit than cigarettes. And one can of snuff delivers more nicotine than over 60 cigarettes.

Continue reading below...

Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gum tissue, causing it to recede or pull away from your teeth. Once the gum tissue recedes, your teeth roots become exposed, creating an increased risk of tooth decay. Exposed roots are also more sensitive to hot and cold or other irritants, making eating and drinking uncomfortable.

In addition, sugars, which are often added to enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco, can increase your risk for tooth decay. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that chewing tobacco users were four times more likely than nonusers to develop tooth decay.

Smokeless tobacco also typically contains sand and grit, which can wear down your teeth. 

1-877-Dr Teeth- (360) 740-6212

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Oral health during pregnancy...

What to expect when expecting you have so much to think about during pregnancy, 

but don’t overlook your oral health, which can be affected by the hormonal

changes you will experience during this time. For example, women are more likely to

develop gingivitis during pregnancy. Gingivitis is an infection of the gingivae (gums) that can

cause swelling and tenderness. Your gums also may bleed a little when you brush or floss. Left

untreated, gingivitis can affect the supporting tissues that hold your teeth in place. Your dentist

may recommend more frequent cleanings to prevent gingivitis.

Sometimes lumps appear along the gum line and between teeth. These swellings are harmless,

but they bleed easily and are characterized by a red, raw-looking mulberrylike surface.

Although these growths are called “pregnancy tumors,” they are not cancerous. 

They usually go away on their own after pregnancy, but they can be removed 

under a local anesthetic if they bother you.

DENTAL CARE

You should continue to see your dentist during pregnancy for oral examinations and professional

teeth cleaning. Tell your dentist that you are pregnant and about any changes you have

noticed in your oral health. Also, be sure to let your dentist know about

any medications or supplements you are taking. Your dentist may need to

 use or prescribe medication as part of your treatment. 

Some medications are considered safe for limited use during

pregnancy and some should not be used at all. For example, if you develop an infection, 

yourdentist might prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin. 

However, pregnant women should not be treated with tetracycline 

because it can stain the fetus’ developing teeth. Once they erupt, the

teeth may look gray or brown permanently as a result of these stains. 

Your dentist or physician can talk with you about

 medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.

Although radiography (x-rays) often can be delayed until after your baby is born, 

your dentist may need to obtain a radiograph as part of your dental treatment.

 To minimize your exposure and that of the fetus to x-rays, your dentist will cover 

your abdomen with a protective apron

and place a thyroid collar over your throat. Talk with your dentist or 

physician about any concerns you may have about your treatment. 

Good daily care is key to your oral health. To

help prevent caries (tooth decay) and gum disease, brush your teeth thoroughly

 twice a day with fluoridetoothpaste to remove plaque. 

Be sure to clean between your teeth daily

with floss or another interdental cleaner. Ask your dentist or hygienist to

show you how to brush and floss correctly. When choosing oral care products,

look for those that display the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, 

your assurance that they have met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

DIET

Frequent snacking may increase your risk of developing tooth decay, which is caused by

plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth. The bacteria convert sugar and

starch that remain in the mouth after eating to acid that attacks tooth enamel. The longer the

sugars remain in your mouth, the longer the acids attack. 

After repeated attacks, tooth decay can result.

ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH

Your oral health is an important part of your overall health, and untreated dental disease can

be harmful to you and your baby. Be sure to include your oral health in your daily self-care

routine and keep your dentist informed of any changes in your oral health during pregnancy. 

1-877-Dr Teeth- (360) 740-6212

Town Center Dental

3 Locations - Chehalis, Wa -- Rochester, Wa -- Rainier, Or

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