Teeth Grinding: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments from All Brite Dental!

 

One of the most common dental problems among people is grinding teeth.  This can be due to people who clench and grind their teeth, also known as bruxism.  Constant teeth grinding could lead to damaging teeth and eventually other dental issues.

The biggest contributor to teeth grinding is stress, which may causes people to clench their teeth.  You might not notice that you grind your teeth because in most cases teeth grinding occurs during sleep.  Another cause of teeth grinding can be from physical changes from an abnormal bite or missing teeth.

Teeth grinding will wear and tear down your teeth.  If you consistently grind your teeth, over time you will wear away tooth enamel.  Tooth enamel is important because it is the outer covering material that protects the tooth from eroding and decay.  Chronic teeth grinding can lead to joint and jaw damage, sensitive teeth and tooth decay.

At All Brite Dental we will work with you to help prevent future chronic teeth grinding.  Each patient is different, so we will perform a detailed overall teeth inspection and offer a specific plan.  Most methods include wearing a mouthpiece at night to prevent future grinding.  Other tips to help you eliminate teeth grinding are cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and chewing on items such as pencils and pens.

Please, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our amazing dentists!  For more information and updates please LIKE our Facebook page LINKED HERE!

Teeth Whitening Tips!

A beautiful smile starts with the teeth, and there are many reasons why people may be unhappy with the appearance of their teeth.  They can be crooked, slowly growing out, worn down, or most commonly discolored.  Teeth are an important part of our health but can also be an integral part in how we feel about the way we look. 

According to many dentists, the majority of their patients that are not satisfied with the appearance of their smile say that they are unhappy with the natural color of their teeth.  With all the modern advancements in modern technology, importantly photo and video it is becoming more important to preserve the presentation of our smile.  Discolored teeth are usually associated with being unhealthy of unhygienic, which is not necessarily true.  Nevertheless the dental industry is seeing substantial increases in the demand for teeth whitening procedures.  There are certain illnesses that can cause discoloration in teeth but some common causes are coffee, tea, curry, red wine and Coca Cola.  There are countless teeth whitening products available over the counter, but according to research some of these products are just a waste of money.  

Most toothpastes that market “teeth whitening” have no effect at all, also avoid purchasing teeth whitening systems and gels online, as there is no certain way to determine what is in them.  The safest way is to ask your dentist before using any of these treatments.  Many dentists are recommending bleaching trays, which are custom fit by a dentist.  This give the dentist the opportunity to educate the patient on how to correctly and safely use the tray and allows the patient to raise any concerns and ask questions.  Another option that dentists often recommend is laser whitening.  A specialist performs this procedure and the effects are instant.  This is a good option if you are looking to whiten your teeth for a specific event or occasion. 

Whichever method of teeth whitening you choose, be sure to consult your dentist or a trained professional before making your decision.  Also keep your expectations reasonable, some of these procedure take time and repetition before seeing drastic results.