I grind my teeth a lot. I especially grind my teeth while sitting in traffic because of six inches of snow or because I am waiting for the plow to pass. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter, but driving winter conditions can be stress-inducing.

Stress is just one of the many reasons people clench or grind their teeth. And most of us are unaware we are doing it. This condition, called bruxism, can destroy your teeth. Clenching occurs when you press your upper and lower teeth tightly together. Grinding happens when you rub your teeth back and forth against each other. Although the cause isn’t fully understood, bruxism is often due to stress.

Over time it can cause dental problems such as:

Problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint connects your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ problems can lead to symptoms such as jaw pain, earache, headache, and clicking or popping noises when you open or close your mouth.

Worn down and broken teeth: Grinding can also cause teeth to become painful and loose.

Since bruxism can damage teeth and cause jaw, head, and ear pain, it’s important to try to kick the habit. So, here are some things ideas to help you relax and prevent tooth-grinding moments:

• Reduce stress. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and spending time with people you enjoy can all help. And if you must drive in wintery and stressful conditions, try doing some breathing exercises to relax.
• Relax your face and jaw muscles. Practicing this throughout the day can help you create a habit of relaxing instead of tightening these muscles.

Let us know if you clench or grind your teeth. We may suggest a type of mouth guard called a splint, a bite guard, or a night guard. There are several different types that work in different ways. We can design one that will work best for you. Safe travels!

‘Tis the season to be jolly and what brings in the holiday cheer like a little bit of wine? With the New Year just around the corner, lots of celebrations are sure to be in order. Unfortunately, the extra wine consumption during this time of year isn’t good news for the teeth.  We hate to be the Grinch, so we would like to extend a few tips to help you maintain your teeth white during the holiday celebrations.

A study from the New York College of Dentistry revealed that white wine is just as much to blame for tooth stains as red wine. Both contain a lot of acidity, the factor that offer that tart flavor. Acid erodes the enamel causing rough area and grooves on the surface of the teeth that leave them susceptible to stains from other colored foods and drinks. Although white wine is colorless, it still leaves your teeth vulnerable to stains from coffee, tea, or other colored things.

Wines are not the only high acid culprits. Citrus drinks just like grapefruit and orange, most sports drinks, energy beverages and sodas are also fairly full of acid, causing vulnerabilities in the teeth.

Some helpful tips: Do not brush your teeth right after sipping your favorite holiday drink, allow time for your enamel to harden again. When brushing go lightly with whitening toothpaste and a soft bristle brush. Have you ever wondered why wine is so often paired with cheese? Cheese actually helps coat the teeth with calcium which protects the teeth, particularly the hard cheeses. Enjoying some raw vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, or celery increase saliva, assisting to wash away the acids, and actually act as a natural brush as well.

Therefore, some dental advise for you this holiday season is to be careful what you do when you enjoy those holiday drinks. Taking good care of your teeth will keep your wonderful smile. If you do feel your teeth aren’t looking their brightest, it might be time for an after the holiday trip to our office. We are very well equipped to provide your teeth a professional whitening that will get those pearly whites back to sparkling.

Stuffing, rolls, pies, cakes…the holidays are a time full of carbohydrate-rich, sugary foods. This can really do a number on your oral health, but there are some simple ways you can help combat cavities while still enjoying Grandma’s pumpkin pie (or pecan if that’s your preference!) If you can, eat those carb-heavy foods such as stuffing and rolls with a b…alanced meal consisting of some protein. This helps to counteract some of the acids produced when sugars and bacteria in the mouth come together. Limit your consumption of sticky foods. These foods take longer to chew, therefore staying in the mouth longer and increasing cavity risk. Carry a travel toothbrush with you to your Thanksgiving meal. Can’t brush your teeth immediately after eating for some reason? Rinse your mouth out with water to remove as much debris and acid as possible. Try not to graze, every time you pop something into your mouth, it creates acids.
Follow these dental care tips and you can keep your teeth and gums healthy while still enjoying your Thanksgiving!

You’ve probably snacked on at least a few chocolate candies by now, and with the holidays approaching it’s only going to get harder to resist. Well don’t worry too much, because chocolate may actually have some positive effects on your health.

Multiple studies in recent years have suggested that chocolate could contain all kinds of good stuff for your body, though be warned – nothing has been proven just yet.  
Chocolate could help reduce the risk of heart disease
 Flavanols in cocoa beans (cocoa is the main ingredient in chocolate) contain antioxidants that have been shown to reduce cell damage, which is a culprit in heart disease. Flavanols are more abundant in dark chocolate, so opt for that if you have the option, and remember to enjoy it in moderation. Besides the damage it can do to your teeth, chocolate is also packed with fat, sugar and calories that can lead to weight gain and other ill effects.

Chocolate may help increase brain function
A recent study from a team at Harvard found that some test subjects showed increased blood flow to the brain and higher brain function after drinking flavanol-rich cocoa for a month. No causal relationship was found between the cocoa and heightened brain function. But we’re keeping our fingers crossed.

Chocolate can be a good mood-booster
 “Chocolate contains tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, which can help with depression. Research also shows chocolate can increase dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. Chocolate also contains phenylethalmine, known as the ‘love chemical.’”

A dental  abscess is an infection of the mouth, face, jaw, or throat that begins as a tooth infection or cavity. These infections are common in people with poor dental health and result from lack of proper and timely dental care. Bacteria from a cavity can extend into the gums, the cheek, the throat, beneath the tongue, or even into the jaw or facial bones. A dental abscess can become very painful when tissues become inflamed. Pus collects at the site of the infection and will become progressively more painful until it either ruptures and drains on its own or is drained surgically.

Sometimes the infection can progress to the point when swelling threatens to block the airway, causing difficulty breathing. Dental abscesses can also make you generally ill, with nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills and sweats.

The cause of these infections is direct growth of the bacteria from an existing cavity into the soft tissues and bones of the face and neck.

An infected tooth that has not received appropriate dental care can cause a dental abscess to form. Poor oral hygiene, (such as not brushing and flossing properly or often enough) can cause  cavities to form in your teeth. The infection then may spread to the gums and adjacent areas and become a painful dental abscess.

Symptoms of a dental abscess typically include pain, swelling, and redness of the mouth and face. You can suffer nausea, vomiting, fever, chills and diarrhea.

The signs of dental abscess typically include cavities, gum inflammation, oral swelling, tenderness with touch, pus drainage, and sometimes difficulty fully opening your mouth or swallowing.

When to seek medical care

If you think you have an abscess, call your dentist. If you cannot reach a dentist, go to a hospital’s Emergency Department for an evaluation, especially if you feel sick.

If an infection becomes so painful that it cannot be managed by nonprescription medicines, see your dentist for an assessment.

If you develop fever, chills, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea as a result of a dental abscess, see your dentist or doctor.

Halloween is traditionally celebrated by marching from house to house asking for candy.  Candy causes cavities.  It only takes several minutes and that’s why cavities are the number one chronic disease in children.

1. Delay eating the candy until you get home.

2. Avoid sticky candies that can get stuck into the grooves of back teeth.  Sticky candy can start to promote acid damage to teeth.

3. Restrict eating candy to only with meals. This way your kids ingest less and the saliva will help to reduce cavities.

4. Keep the candy in reserve and only bring out for the kids after meals.

5. Have the kids get their toothbrush out and apply toothpaste, floss and mouthwash too, before eating the candy.  This reinforces good cleaning / prevention habits.

6. Look inside your child’s mouth after brushing, if there are visible signs of candy stuck in the grooves of back teeth, brush again.  Then, look again to determine if all the candy has been removed.

7. Have chewing gum available that contains xylitol.  Xylitol helps to prevent cavities caused by eating Halloween candy.  Chewing gum when away from the toothbrush can assist in cleansing the candy particles away from their teeth.

8. Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash after eating the candy.  Fluoride helps to prevent cavities and strengthen teeth.

9. Floss to remove candy stuck between teeth.

10. Alternatively, encourage your kids to eat healthier foods.

11. If your kid’s teeth are sensitive to hot, cold, or sweets – schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible  for they may have a cavity.

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a condition that usually results from decreased production of saliva. At times, xerostomia can make it difficult to speak and may lead to malnutrition. Extreme dry mouth and salivary gland dysfunction can produce significant and permanent mouth and throat disorders and can impair a person’s quality of life. Xerostomia affects about 10% of all people and is more prevalent in women than men. Disorders of saliva production affect elderly people and those who are taking prescription and nonprescription medications most frequently.

 There are many causes of dry mouth. Xerostomia most commonly occurs as a side effect of many medications, including blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and many others. Other causes of dry mouth are radiation treatments to the head and neck, salivary gland diseases, diabetes, hormonal imbalance, and autoimmune disorders such as Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Salivary production can be decreased if a major salivary duct becomes blocked. Other causative factors include stress, anxiety, depression, and dehydration.

Tooth stains may occur internally within the tooth structure or as external, surface stains. Tooth stains may be caused by problems with the formation of the tooth enamel, problems within the tooth or by simple stains from food, beverages or habits. Certain medications or chemicals taken by a pregnant woman or by a very young child can disrupt the developement of tooth enamel and result in the tooth becoming stained with gray bands, mottling or pitted.

Tooth stains may also be caused by a tooth that is chronically infected or necrotic with the tooth taking on a uniform grayish hue. In this situation, the infection must be treated first and then the color can be corrected by bleaching or a restoration. The simplest  form of the tooth stain is the discoloration caused by eternal factors such as food/beverages or tobacco use. Often a thorough professional cleaning will remove the stain and restore the teeth to their original brightness and whiteness.

Bleeding gums may be a sign of something that’s easily correctable, as easy as brushing less vigorously or flossing everyday. But it can also be a warning sign of something more serious. such as periodontal disease or even diabetes. If you are seeing pink in the sink, the smart thing to do is to improve your oral hygiene routine. If your symptoms don’t improve after a couple of weeks, be sure to schedule an appointment. To improve your oral hygiene, brush twice a day, floss everyday, use a good mouthwash, brush your tongue and eat a well- balanced diet.

No matter how good you are with your oral hygiene,  always remember that a professional cleaning is the most effective way to remove the plaque that causes bleeding gums. Be sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year!