Friday, February 27, 2015

Bruxism

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I GRIT MY TEETH?
Most people who clench their teeth also grind their teeth. The term “bruxism” refers to both actions. While consistently clenching the jaw can cause some stress to the teeth, grinding the teeth together can lead to worse problems like cracks, chips, and loose teeth.

It is very common for people to experience bruxism while they are asleep, having no idea that they are damaging their smile.  Dr. Mann, dentist in fresno at Elite Dental, can easily tell if bruxism has been occurring when she examines your mouth at a routine dental visit. If any damage has occurred, she may recommend dental bonding or a much stronger alternative like porcelain veneers to keep up with the consistent damage. She can also customize a mouthguard to be worn at night to help protect your teeth.

WHAT OTHER DAMAGE CAN TEETH CLENCHING CAUSE?
Since one of the muscles responsible for bruxism, the temporal fossa, extends all the way into the skull, its overuse can be a cause of recurrent headaches and earaches. “Lockjaw” is also a side effect of bruxism because of the muscle spasms and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation it can cause.

HOW DO I GET RELIEF?
Reducing stress and avoiding food that can be hard to chew, such as toffee, caramel, or steak, will help to relax the overworked jaw muscles. You should also avoid chewing gum and opening your mouth very wide on a consistent basis. Dr. Mann at Elite Dental can provide further recommendations for treatment for bruxism during your consultation. Please schedule your appointment today at (559)797-4355.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Flossing is very important to maintaining oral health

 Flossing is very important to maintaining oral health because it removes plaque and bacteria that a toothbrush cannot reach. This is common knowledge, yet so few people floss on a regular basis. Common excuses for not flossing are, “It hurts when I floss,” “My teeth are too close together,” and “I never get food stuck in my teeth.” The reality is, if you are flossing correctly and using the right kind of floss, these excuses will no longer apply!

WHY FLOSS?
If your excuse for not flossing is, “I never get food stuck in my teeth,” you might not understand the main objective of flossing. While flossing does remove noticeably annoying food particles that get caught between your teeth, the main purpose of flossing is to scrape away the thin film of bacteria that collects on the teeth during the day. Between the teeth and the gums is a small pocket that easily traps bacteria and is difficult to reach with a toothbrush. As you scrape the floss down the side of each tooth and gently down into the gum pocket, you remove a film of bacteria that would otherwise linger and eventually cause plaque buildup.

HOW TO FLOSS
If it hurts to floss, you may have gingivitis, or you may simply not be flossing correctly. Here is how to floss the right way:

Insert the floss between two teeth.
Slowly place the floss beneath the gum line at the base of one tooth.
Curve the floss around the tooth, and scrape it along the edge of the tooth.
Repeat step 3 in the same space between those teeth, but scrape the floss against the neighboring tooth, making sure to go all the way to the base of the tooth beneath the gum line.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 between each two teeth using a clean section of floss each time. This prevents transferring bacteria to neighboring teeth.
THE RIGHT FLOSS
If your teeth are very close together or if you have braces, flossing might be a little more challenging. Try waxed floss, glide floss, or use a threader that is made to get around the brackets of braces. If your floss shreds, you might have a problem with your dental work, or you could have a cavity. A visit to your dentist can help to identify the problem.

If you are interested in general or cosmetic dental services offered by Dr. Mann at Elite Dental Mann DDS, please schedule your appointment today at (559)797-4355.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH ENAMEL DAMAGE

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, built to withstand literal wear and tear on a daily basis as we bite, speak, clench, and chew. Each year, your enamel will wear down an average of eight micrometers from normal factors, but there are several factors that can accelerate its decline.

ACID
Acid will erode enamel over time. Acid occurs in your mouth naturally after you eat food that contains sugar and carbohydrates. Soda and fruit juices are among some of the most harmful to consume, especially when you sip on them throughout the day. The longer the sugar remains on your teeth, the longer the bacteria in your mouth have to feast on it and create the corrosive acid.

Acid can also occur in your mouth if you have a condition that causes frequent vomiting or if you have acid reflux disease. Since your saliva neutralizes these acids, dry mouth will cause these acids to linger even longer, causing even more damage.

USING TEETH AS TOOLS
Tooth enamel damage is also caused when you use your teeth as tools. You should never open bottles, packages, or other containers with your teeth. Doing so can permanently chip or crack your enamel. Chewing fingernails, non-food items, or ice can have the same result.

GRINDING TEETH
Many people grind their teeth and are not even aware that they do it. This will definitely accelerate enamel erosion and can even fracture the enamel. Your dentist will be able to tell if you have excessive wear on your enamel and may recommend wearing a mouthguard at night, when teeth-grinding is most likely to occur.

If you have chips, cracks, or any degree of enamel erosion, Fresno cosmetic dentist Dr. Mann can give you a treatment plan that will set you on the road to repair. To schedule a consultation, please call (559)797-4355