East End Oral Surgery

Bruxism is a Real Grind

Bruxism is the technical name for grinding, gnashing, and/or clenching your teeth.  It is considered a para-functional activity, which means an abnormal or deviated dental function or habit that is subconscious.  The term Bruxism comes from the Greek word “brygmós” which means “to grind or gnash the opposing rows of upper and lower molar teeth”. Occasionally, we see patients for endodontic therapy because the high pressure clenching has resulted in fractures of the tooth.

On average, your upper and lower teeth come into direct contact for about 20 minutes a day, with only 20-40 pounds of pressure. People who suffer with Bruxism’s upper and lower teeth come into direct contact for as long as 40 minutes per hour, with a force of about 250 pounds!

The grinding, gnashing and/or clenching mainly occur unconsciously; in most cases while you’re asleep. In more severe cases, some people find themselves clenching during the day as well. If you catch yourself clenching be sure to stop and stretch your jaw – move your lower jaw back and forth in a circular motion, changing rotation. Hearing popping or clicking noises is fairly common in people with Bruxism, so be sure to inform us if this occurs as it can indicate Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) as well as Bruxism.

Bruxism can cause your teeth to become worn down, fractured, and/or chipped. It can also wear down your tooth enamel, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and susceptibility to cavities. Not only does it deteriorate your teeth, it can also cause headaches, earaches, chronic facial pain, and jaw tension.

You should make an appointment with your dentist if you’re experiencing a combination of any of the following issues:

Symptoms of Bruxism

• Grinding sound at night
• Dull headache in the morning
• Facial Pain
• Tight or painful jaw muscles, especially in the morning
• Worn down, flattened, fractured, or chipped teeth
• Tired jaw muscles
• Anxiety, stress and tension
• Depression
• Earache
• Eating disorders
• Headaches
• Hot, cold, and/or sweet tooth sensitivity
• Insomnia
• Painful, sore jaw

Possible Causes of Bruxism

Because the origin of Bruxism is not completely understood, any number of the following items may be possible causes:

• Experienced and anticipated stressors are considered a main factor. People who are stressed often carry tension with them to bed, causing them to grind, gnash and clench at night
• Suppressed anger, frustration, and aggression
• Misaligned upper and lower teeth (malocclusion). The verdict is still out as to why malocclusion is such a common component with Bruxism, but doctors have found that it is prevalent amongst sufferers
• People with depressive and anxiety disorders are more likely to suffer from Bruxism
• Bruxism is an uncommon side effect of certain psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants
• Often Bruxism is partnered with other sleeping disorders, such as insomnia, sleep walking, and nightmares
• Bruxism can be a result of complications from a disorder such as Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
• Stimulating substances such as smoking tobacco, drinking caffeinated beverages and/or alcohol, taking illegal drugs such as methamphetamines and ecstasy also increases the risk of Bruxism
• Age – Bruxism is common in children, but typically goes away by adolescence (See below for Bruxism in Children)

Other things such as diet, your ability to relax, low pH levels (high acidity), posture, and sleeping habits may also be contributors.

All Oral Bacteria are Not Equal

The mouth harbors a diverse and plentiful and microbial community due to its hospitable environment. It is warm, nutrient-rich and maintains an ideal pH balance. This highly diverse microflora inhabits the various surfaces of the normal mouth- gums, teeth, tongue, and cheeks. What many people don’t realize is that most of the bacteria are beneficial organisms and live in harmony with each other and the human body.

The “Bad Guys” of Dental Bacteria

Interestingly, a new born baby’s mouth does not contain bacteria, but becomes colonized rapidly in the early stages of life. Nobody knows for sure how many different bacteria species there are. Estimates in the oral cavity alone vary between 500 to 650 different species. Only a few specific species are believed to cause dental caries, including Steptococcus mutans, considered the most important bacteria involved with tooth decay. However, the type of bacteria varies according to the progress of tooth destruction.

This harmful bacteria collects around the teeth and gums forming a sticky, creamy-colored mass called plaque. Some areas of the mouth collect plaque more commonly due to less salivary flow, such as grooves in molars and between teeth. The oral cavity actually contains the only known part of the human body that does not have a regulated system of shedding surfaces: the teeth. This allows plaque to adhere to the surface of teeth for long periods of time. At first, plaque is soft enough to come off easily with a toothbrush. However, it starts to harden within 48 hours. After about 10 days, the plaque becomes dental calculus, called tarter, and is now difficult to remove.

Villains Love Carbohydrates

Sugars from candy, soft drinks, and fruit juice can play a significant role in tooth decay. When sucrose (table sugar), the most common of sugars, coats the surface of the mouth, some intraoral bacteria interact with it. The result is lactic acid, which decreases the pH in the mouth. This demineralization allows for greater bacterial invasion deep into the tooth.

Carcinogenicity, or the extent to which tooth decay is likely, depends heavily on how long the sugar remains in the mouth. Surprisingly, it is not the amount of sugar ingested but the frequency of sugar ingestion that is the most important factor in tooth decay.

Bacteria’s Kryptonite

Oral hygiene is key to battling the bacteria “bad guys”. Brushing your teeth twice a day will reduce dental plaque and food particles collecting around your teeth. Additionally, it is imperative to floss daily to wipe all your enamel surfaces free of plaque to discourage bacterial growth. Good general oral-health habits can usually prevent enough bacterial growth to keep tooth decay from starting.

5 Points for Wearing a Mouth Guard During Sports:

It’s easy for people to not realize what they have until it’s gone. Imagine what it would be like if you were missing one of your front teeth? You’d probably be a bit embarrassed smiling and talking, and eating would feel strange as well. The good news is that taking preventative measures to protect your teeth can diminish the chances of you having a toothless smile.

Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports decreases the risk of injuries to the mouth or jaw. Some sports players don’t like to wear mouthguards because of their appearance while wearing one, but more injuries can happen when not wearing a mouthguard that can affect your appearance in a much more inconvenient way. Here are five reasons why you should always protect your pearly whites when participating in any contact sports or collision sports where unexpected contact can happen:

1. Protection Against Tooth Fractures

Mouthguards protect your teeth from chipping and breaking. Even though tooth fractures can usually be saved, why go through the risk when wearing a mouthguard can save you all the trouble?

2. Protection Against Tooth Replacement

Wearing a mouthguard is cushion for your teeth, so if a ball hits your face your teeth don’t receive a crushing force. However, if a ball hits your mouth without a mouthguard, it can result in completely breaking or ruining your tooth, leaving you with a toothless smile and an emergency call to our office. Having a gap in your smile due to an accident that could have been prevented isn’t worth it.

3. Protection Against Soft Tissue Injuries

Some contact sports involve quick impacts that could leave you biting through your tongue or lips! A mouthguard can prevent soft tissue injuries by creating a soft resistance when teeth contact your lips and tongue.

4. Protection Against Concussions

According to the American Dental Association, mouthguards could help reduce the severity and incidence of concussions. A properly fitted mouthguard decreases the likelihood of sustaining concussive injury because the padding between the mandible and the maxilla can lessen the force of the mandible pushing up on the skull near the brain, which causes a concussion.

5. Protection Against Jaw Fractures

Wearing a protective mouthguard protects your from jaw fractures. Impact to the neck or jaw could result in serious injury, but with the protection of a mouthguard during an impact, it reduces the likelihood of jaw dislodgement or neck trauma.

The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that mouthguards prevent more than 200,000 injuries each year! Using a mouthguard won’t only help prevent you from dental and jaw injuries but can also prevent damage to braces or other orthodontic work. If you’re ready to take the step to save your smile when playing sports, contact us for more information about mouthguard protection.

3 Reasons to Have Corrective Jaw Surgery

Jaw Surgery might sound intimidating, frightening, or both. It isn’t easy to process the fact that your jaw needs to be realigned. Ultimately, overcoming the surgical aspects of orthognathic surgery is well worth the years of having a symmetric, visually appealing jawline. Here are the top reasons why more and more patients are considering jaw surgery:

1: Improvement in Chewing and Biting Foods: Have you ever been unable to enjoy food due to a physical complication? Those who have had their wisdom teeth out can understand this, as well as those who have once had severe cuts on the inside of their mouths. However, there are food lovers out there who regularly cannot enjoy the full satisfaction of eating food due to their jaw’s misalignment. A world where one has to proceed with caution before chowing down lunch is a world that needs to be fixed – with jaw surgery.

2: Reduce of Chronic Headaches:  Oral Surgeons notice that when patients have TMJ disorder, they tend to grind their teeth at night. Most of these teeth-grinders do so unconsciously, which results in morning headaches. Most people with chronic headaches simply take their pain relievers and move on without receiving any significant treatment. Corrective jaw surgery will cease the teeth-grinding, which will ultimately reduce daily headaches.

3: Improving Overall Facial Appearance: Having an underbite or an overbite is unfortunate, but fixable. Even if one’s bite needs to be fixed by just a millimeter; this millimeter can go a long way toward improving one’s appearance. If one’s mandible projects outward, he/she has an underbite. This gives the appearance of an oversized jaw, which can harm the beauty of his/her smile. By contrast, an overbite makes one look as if their jaw isn’t fully developed. The jaw bone is surgically moved forward or backward accordingly.

The process of getting Jaw Surgery is seemingly a long one, but well worth it in the end. Patients who have had jaw surgery are thrilled about their new and improved smile and overall confidence. Improving appearance, preventing headaches, and being able to thoroughly enjoy food are three worthy reasons to consider an orthognathic treatment.

Can My Dental Implants Get Cavities?  And other common questions…

In my practice, I hear dozens of questions every day about dental implants from concerned (or simply curious) patients.  Every one of those questions is a good question and I always try to provide an equally good answer.  To help you better understand an upcoming dental implant procedure, we’ve compiled a top-five list of the most common questions about dental implants that we field in our office every day:

1.  Can dental implants get cavities? 

No. Because the implant-restored crown is an artificial (not natural) material, it cannot grow cavities, phew!  However, you still need to have regular gum care and cleanings around the implant site just like you would for a natural tooth.

2.  Can implants slip or fall out like dentures?

No.  The artificial tooth (crown) is attached to the permanent titanium post that is set in the jaw.  They will not slip around or fall out like you may have experienced with dentures.

3.  Can I sleep with my dental implants in?

Yes!  They are practically “permanent”, unlike dentures.  You do not need to remove and soak them overnight.

4.  Aren’t dental implants more expensive than bridges and dentures? 

It depends.  If you are talking about just a few teeth, implants may be cheaper over time than bridges because they last longer.  However, if you need a whole row of teeth replaced, dentures may be a less expensive option for you.  Each case is unique, however, so be sure to call us for a proper consultation.   We are here to help you understand your costs and benefits so that you can make an informed decision.

5.  How long will my dental implants last?

If implanted and cared for properly, dental implants can last for many decades or possibly even a lifetime.  Some implants have been in patients for over forty years!

Don’t see your question on our list?  Contact us today for quick answe

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