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!