Bruxism and You

Do you wake up in the morning with an aching jaw, or a dull and constant headache? It is very possible that you could suffer from bruxism, also known as grinding your teeth.

This time of year, stress and anxiety levels can run high. This is a very common cause of subconscious grinding teeth. Grinding can also occur during sleep, or be caused by misaligned or missing teeth. If you are not sure if you are a grinder or not, request your dentist to check for some of the telltale signs of grinding.

With chronic grinding, tooth loss may occur. But more commonly, the tooth will fracture, or be ground down into a stub. This can expose the dental nerves and lead to a lot of pain. Bruxism can also affect your jaw, exacerbate TMJ, and even impact your hearing.

Your friendly Valencia dentist can fit you with a custom crafted dental guard to help protect your teeth from grinding at night. If your grinding is caused by stress, your dentist can go over your options for stress reduction, and could potentially refer you to a stress specialist.

If you notice yourself grinding your teeth, you can do a few things to help lessen the pain and damage (while waiting to see your dentist). Avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine, and avoiding alcohol can help reduce grinding. If you notice you are grinding during the day, place your tongue between your teeth. If your jaw muscles are tense, a warm washcloth on your cheek can help relax them.

If you fear you may be a grinder, your friendly Valencia dentist can answer all your questions and concerns. Make an appointment today.

10 Signs it is Time to See Your Dentist

1) Mouth Sores

Many illnesses can cause mouth sores, including candidiasis and cold sores. It could be caused by irritation due to braces or dentures or jagged teeth. It could also be from a fungus, bacteria, or virus, and medications could be required to treat it. If the sore remains for over a week, it is best to check with your dentist for identification.

2) Jaw Pain or Clicking

Sinus problems, TMJ, toothaches, teeth grinding, arthritis… Many causes for this and only your dentist can truly determine the root cause of the issue.

3) Infected Oral Piercing

Since the mouth is a breeding ground and haven for bacteria of all sorts, an oral piercing can easily become infected. If you notice any swelling in the region, or suffer from pain or fevers, consult your dentist.

4) Yellow or Stained Teeth

Your dentist can go over many options on how to remove stains from your teeth. Your teeth with naturally stain as a result of drinking teas or coffees, smoking, and even aging. Your dentist can ensure you have the best smile.

5) Toothaches

There are many kinds of toothaches, and many, many causes. An ache usually indicates that the pulp is expose somehow, either through a break or cavity. Your dentist can determine the root cause of your pain, and perform any procedure necessary to relieve it.

6) Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums are typically caused by gum disease and gingivitis. But it could be as simple as you brushing too hard. If your gums bleed regularly, be sure to ask your dentist about possible causes and treatments.

7) Bad Breath

Bad breath is a natural part of life. It can be caused by what you are eating or drinking, but also from smoking or dry mouth. However, a few illnesses are known to cause pretty nasty breath. If most conventional treatments are not working, make sure to see your dentist. They can determine if something more serious is the cause.

8) Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth decay, over whitening, and exposed enamel can contribute to your tooth’s sensitivity. If it hurts to eat or drink certain temperature foods, you likely have some exposed nerves in your teeth. Only your dentist can give a thorough diagnosis and explain the treatment options.

9) Dry Mouth

Your saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against tooth decay, keeping the opposing bacteria off of your teeth. However, certain medications and illnesses can cause your mouth to dry out. If you’ve noticed persistent dry mouth, your dentist can help you find ways to restore your natural moisture.

10) Broken or Cracked Tooth

Tooth decay, cavities, grinding, or trauma are all causes of damaged teeth. If you suspect your tooth may be broken, always consult your dentist as soon as possible. They can use x-rays to get a closer look at the damage, and help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by damage.

If you have any issues or concerns with your mouth at all, your friendly Valencia dentist should be your first call. They are there to keep you calm, happy, and most importantly, healthy.

Kissing: A Bacterial Exchange

A new study reveals that a passionate, intimate kiss can swap almost 80 million bacteria between the partners involved. And the more frequent the kissing, the more similar the partners’ oral bacteria can become.

The mouth is home to over 700 different varieties of bacteria, and several factors are key in shaping your overall oral microbiome (the collection of microorganisms present in your body). Diet, age, and genetics were thought to be the largest deciding factors in bacteria growth, but now scientists are realizing that your romantic partners may play a key role in this as well.

A scientist in the Netherlands, along with his team, sampled 21 romantic couples, polling how frequently they kissed intimately, and for how long. Then, they had one person from each of the couples drink a probiotic beverage containing very specific strains of bacteria; Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. The couples were then encouraged to kiss passionately.

After a 10-second passionate kiss, the quantity of the test probiotics rose in the other individual’s mouth by almost 300%. A total of almost 80 million bacteria were swapped in those 10 passionate seconds via saliva.
Couples who kiss passionately at least nine times a day are shown to have significantly similar salivary microbiota. However, the salivary bacterial exchange is only temporary. Couples who kiss with more tongue are more likely to have similar tongue microbiota. These tongue bacterial collections stick around much longer as they are able to thrive on the tongue’s surface and spawn.

Originally, it was believed that passionate, tongue kissing (found in 90% of human cultures) was used to “sample” the partner’s saliva and test for chemical taste cues, screening them as their potential mate. But now scientists are seeing that passionate kissing could have more benefits.

If you are concerned with bad bacteria in your microbiome, feel free to make an appointment with your friendly Valencia dentist to ask any questions today.

Your Spit Could Save Your Teeth

Researchers have found that the mucus contained in your saliva contains a very special compound that protects your teeth and tooth enamel from cavity-causing bacteria.

Approximately 0.5% of your mouth’s saliva is mucus, which contains a special compound called salivary mucins. These mucins were originally believed to help your mucus maintain its slippery and elastic, snot-like qualities. But researchers have found that these mucins may contribute to your overall dental health.

Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for your cavities, can only wreak havoc on your teeth if they are able to attach to a biofilm around your teeth. Once they find a suitable biofilm, they attach and begin creating a sticky substance, cementing themselves onto the surface of your tooth. Once they make themselves comfortable on your tooth’s surface, they (and a few of their bacterial friends) start forming plaque and other nasty things. Their natural acidic byproducts begin breaking down your tooth enamel.

But with enough of your saliva’s natural mucins, they coat and suspend the nasty Streptococcus mutans bacteria, preventing them from attaching to their much-needed biofilm. Essentially, they are coated in snot and cannot stick to anything, protecting your teeth from future decay. To be clear, the mucins do not kill the bacteria, nor do they decrease the amount of it. They simply hold them in suspension until you clean your teeth.

With the mucins in your mouth stopping the bad bacteria, they help give your mouth’s native good bacteria a fighting chance.

But all the mucus in the world can’t protect your teeth completely. You still need regular checkups and cleanings from your friendly Valencia dentist. If you have any questions about tooth decay and plaque, be sure to schedule an appointment today!

Studies Find Ancient People had Healthier Smiles

Studies have found that the Roman-British population from nearly 1,600 years ago had a surprising lack of gum disease than today’s British population. Studies at the Natural History Museum headed by King’s College Longer periodontists confirm that modern habits are more damaging to oral health, despite the advancements in dental care.

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, happens when dental plaque builds up and causes inflammation within the gums. Mild periodontitis affects a large percentage of the population, but other factors such as smoking and diabetes can trigger more chronic cases, ultimately leading to tooth loss.
303 Romano-British skulls were examined for evidence of dental diseases. In the end, only 5% of the skulls had indicators of moderate to severe gum disease. Comparatively, 15-30% of today’s adults have signs and symptoms of the disease.

However, these skulls did show a higher percentage of dental infections, dental abscesses, and tooth decay. They also had significant dental wear at earlier ages, indicating that these people thrived on a diet of coarser grains and cereals.

The population of skulls studied came from a group of countryside dwellers with similar genetic makeup to modern European populations. They were also less likely to be tobacco users, and had fewer cases of diabetes mellitus, which have been proven to increase the cases of periodontitis in today’s population.
The scientists behind the study were surprised to find that gum disease was less frequent in the past, considering their lack of brushing and tooth care.

The study goes on to prove that smoking tobacco is probable cause of today’s periodontitis crisis, and that the disease can be avoided. Scientists look forward to the future as the trend of smoking declines in today’s populations, hopefully decreasing the trend of periodontists.

If you have concerns about gum disease or want to know the benefits of kicking the habit, talk to your friendly Valencia dentist. Together, you can work out a plan to put out that cigarette and move towards a healthier smile.

Different Tooth Pains and the Possible Causes

In today’s age, people often turn to the internet for immediate answers about dental problems. Unfortunately, without a dentist checking you out, you have no way of knowing the root of the issue. Luckily, your friendly Valencia dentist has compiled a list for you of common pains and some of their common causes. Self-diagnosing, of course, will never replace the real thing, and it is always wisest to check with your dentist if you have concerns.

Issue: Sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

Possible causes: Depending on the length of the pain, it could be a sign of dental decay, loose fillings, brushing too hard (harming the outer enamel) or even exposed roots cause by gingivitis.

Possible solutions: If you fear gingivitis is the cause, you will need to keep your gum line clean. Use a soft toothbrush and try and limit the brushings to twice a day. You can also use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth; they contain larger amounts of fluoride which can help the tooth. In more severe cases, you can dab the toothpaste directly onto the problem area and let it sit for about ten to fifteen minutes. If your teeth continue to be sensitive, see your dentist for further investigation.

Issue: Sensitivity after a dental treatment. 

Possible causes: Dental treatments can cause the tooth’s inner pulp to swell, causing sensitivity.

Possible solutions: The sensitivity should go away on its own after a few days; if the treatment was more
involved (such as a crown or filling), it could
take a week or so for the inflammation to reduce. In the meantime, over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen should help reduce the inflammation and stop the pain. If the pain gets worse or doesn't go away, see your dentist.

Issue: Sharp pain when biting down.

Possible causes: Loose fillings, cavities, lodged debris, or even a cracked tooth can cause a sharp pain when biting down.

Possible solutions: Since it’s very hard to pinpoint the cause yourself, seeing your dentist would be best if this is an issue. If it’s decay causing the pain, fillings will be necessary. If it’s a loose filling, they can replace or repair it. A cracked tooth is trickier, and may involve a root canal or even an extraction.

Issue: Constant sharp pain from a region.

Possible causes: Your dental pulp tissue is likely infected or inflamed. The decay is nearing a nerve, causing pain in a specific region of your mouth.

Possible solutions: A root canal can remove the infect pulp and save the tooth. Otherwise, left untreated, the pain can get worse and cause tooth loss.

Issue: Constant severe pain and pressure with swollen gums.

Possible causes: In all likelihood, the tooth has an infection or abscess that has spread beyond the tooth, possibly into the gums and bones.

Possible solutions: See your dentist immediately. Do not wait for the pain to get worse. You will likely need a root canal to save the tooth. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce the pain temporarily.

As always, these are just suggestions and very general guidelines. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, it is best to see your friendly Valencia dentist as soon as you can. Only they can diagnose the causes of your symptoms.    

Dental Anxiety? No Worries!

A recent study case has shown that some people avoid going to the dentist altogether out of fear of pain. Others will flinch at the slightest swab or poke. The study delved into the proper times and circumstances to use sedatives during procedures.

The study looked at a sampling of patients in a group of endodontics, periodontics, and oral surgeons. They found that, on average, these doctors were using a moderate amount of sedation on more than 54% of their patients specifically to help ease anxieties during procedures.

Moderate sedation works by suppressing your brain’s responses to pain and stress and anxiety while keeping you conscious so that you may communicate with your dentist. Dentists may combine the sedation with local anesthesia to help control more of the pain.

On top of helping with anxiety, sedation can help patients with a fear of needles, severe gag reflexes, claustrophobia, and even overcome local anesthesia failures.

The catch is, however, that most endodontic training does not train or qualify endodontists for certification to administer moderate sedation. This blocks out a large potential for patient care.

But the training and curriculums are training, and a new wave of guidelines are emerging to help provide the best patient care possible, even for those with anxieties.

If you have anxieties, and put off seeing your dentist because of it, talk to your friendly Valencia dentist. They are understanding, and can go over all the possible options available to give you a safe, comfortable experience. Your happiness and health is their priority.