Diagnosis of bruxism

Bruxism can be diagnosed by the following gactors:

• A positive history of stress and anxiety may be present.
• A detailed oral examination by the dentist will enable him to exclude other disorders which may cause similar symptoms like temporomandibular joint disorders, ear infections, various dental diseases, etc.

Treatment of bruxism

• As it is evident that stress is the main cause of bruxism, therefore it is important to effectively manage and control stress. If the sufferer is able to control his stress, the likelihood of bruxism bothering him can be reduced to a great extent. A number of procedures may help such as relaxation techniques, behavioral modifications, self-hypnosis, etc.
• Dentist may also suggest proper positioning of the teeth and tongue to reduce bruxism.
• Many cases of bruxism are benefitted by using a custom-made mouth guard which is worn during sleep. The mouth guard protects the teeth from damage and effectively reduces bruxism.
• The ingestion of alcohol may be avoided as it may worsen bruxism.

Further measures to relieve pain and provide self-care are listed below:

• Over the counter pain killer medicine.
• Application of ice or heat to painful jaw muscles.
• Avoiding intake of hard foods like nuts, candies, etc.
• Relaxation of facial muscles by physical therapy.
• Proper sleep.
• Massage of sore muscles of the face, neck and head.

What exactly causes canker sores isn’t known yet. But, it’s a well-known fact that they are more common in females and can occur at any age- usually between the ages of 10 and 40 years.

It is believed that some bacteria or viruses are the culprits behind the occurrence of canker sores. Here are some of the other factors associated with the development of canker sores:

• Injuries to the mouth during contact sports.
• Accidental trauma to the lips or cheeks.
• Due to burn caused by hot food or drink.
• Intake of spicy or acidic food.
• Allergic reaction to some food items.
• Due to deficiencies of vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron.
• Hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
• Familial tendency.
• Ill fitting dentures.
• Broken and sharp tooth surfaces cause sores by rubbing against tissues inside the mouth.
• Orthodontic attachments can cause canker sores when there is friction with structures inside the mouth.
• Allergies to metals present in orthodontic devices.
• Canker sores are thought to be associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
• Commonly seen in patients who are immuno-suppressed like AIDS.
• Due to some ingredients present in the tooth paste like sodium lauryl sulphate.
• Situations of emotional stress.
• Tobacco chewing.

Canker sores are painful lesions in the mouth. They are also known as Aphthous ulcers and do not spread from person to person.

Canker sores are small, round or oval sores inside the mouth. They are yellow or white in the centre and have a red outer border. The common sites of canker sores are upper surface, tip of the tongue, floor of the mouth; inner surfaces of the cheeks and/or lips as well as gums.

 What Are The Types?

• Minor canker sores:

Characterized by less pain, size less than half inch and complete healing within two weeks.

• Major canker sores:

Usually larger than half inch in size, are painful, have irregular margins, healing occurs in more than two weeks and leave a scar after healing.

• Herpetiform canker sores:

A group of small sores form a large lesion and they last from a week to a month.

Know the Symptoms

• Pain is a common symptom and is felt while the affected person is eating, drinking and talking.
• Irritation, burning and tingling sensation is experience. Later, the appearance of lesions starts becoming obvious.
• Fever may be present.

Tongue thrust or immature swallow is basically a condition that involves a problem with the behavioral pattern of human, with the tongue protruding through the anterior incisors while the sufferer eats, swallows or speaks. It happens even when the tongue isn’t being used for anything. Almost every child exhibits a swallowing pattern characterized by tongue protrusion, but this pattern eventually normalizes as the child turn around six years old. People with the problem of immature swallow do it naturally without being aware of their own behavior.

So, how does it affect your oral health?

What Do You Know About Trench Mouth?

Trench mouth is basically a painful oral health problem that affects the gums, causing ulcerations of the gingival tissues. The condition is also known as Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis or ANUG and can be really serious if not treated on time.  One of the major culprits of this disease is poor oral hygiene as well as nutritional deficiency.

How to Tell If You Have The Condition?

The signs of ANUG start showing up suddently, worsening at a rapid pace in a short span of time. The initial signs typically are:

1. Inflammation of the gums or painful gums
2. Experiencing halitosis or having a foul taste in your mouth

Signs that start showing up later include the following:

1. Gum irritation followed by bleeding of the gums
2. Difficulty in chewing or swallowing foods
3. Gums being affected by crater-like ulcers
4. Appearance of a gray film on the gums, developed as a result of decomposed gum tissue.
5. Damaged gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Gum tissues between teeth start getting infected and eventually die. In most cases, only the dead gum tissue remains.
6. Head and neck having inflamed lymph nodes.
7. Experiencing fever or fatigue.

What many parents don’t seem to understand is the fact that their children’s oral health is just as important as their physical well-being. Once you’ve realized the importance of taking your child to the dental office, it is essential to make him/her understand that dental visits are fun and there is nothing to be scared or worried about. It’s normal for children to fear dental visits, but things get fine as your child develops a relationship with the dentist and becomes familiar with the cooperative staff at the dental clinic.

The ideal time to take your child for a dental check up

Experts suggest that children should ideally get an oral examination as soon as they turn three years old.  This is the time when the primary teeth are in the mouth with the child being at the earliest age to cooperate with the dentist during the examination. Although it’s a good idea to take the child to the dental office at the age of three, it is even better to make your child have a dental examination as soon as the first tooth erupts, which means that the child should be taken to the dentist when he/she is six to seven months old. Of course, this wouldn’t mean that a six-month old would be examined in that chair at the dental office; rather it would involve taking a look at what’s happening in the child’s mouth and giving useful advice on the maintenance of oral health.

Thumb sucking is a common problem in children, which is one of the many things parents fret about the most. While engaging in the habit occasionally is typically considered to cause no harm but there are times when the habit can turn into a problem.

In the majority of cases, children stop engaging in the habit by the time they are somewhere around two to four years old.  A child older than four who doesn’t discontinue the habit will require parental support and dental advice to control the situation. Did you know that prolonged thumb sucking can actually make a child have crooked permanent teeth? Therefore, consulting your pediatrician or dentist is important. Remember, dental issues are mostly avoided if thumb sucking is stopped before the eruption of permanent teeth.

What Can Be Done

Parents of children having this habit should begin with ignoring the behavior, which means that you shouldn’t pay any attention to your child while he’s busy in thumb sucking. Another way of dealing with the problem is putting an obstacle on the child’s hands. A sock or a glove could serve the purpose. Parents can motivate their children to quit on the habit by rewarding them for positive behavior.

Talking to the pediatrician or dentist is also very important in terms of getting useful advice and learning effective methods to help your child cope with the habit.

Did you know that you can help your child develop healthy teeth and gums at a very early age? It’s all about knowing the right thing to do and saving your child from dental problems in the future.

It all stems from diet

We are what we eat and the same goes for our teeth! Yes, your child’s diet is very important. Experts believe that breast milk can play the key role in optimal development during the first six months of a baby, which of course implies to your baby’s oral health and tooth development as well.  Not many parents know this but juice and other foods aren’t as important as breast milk. Replacing breast milk with solid foods is a big mistake, especially during the first year of your baby’s growth.

Don’t underestimate immunizations

Immunizations can play the key role in protecting your baby from serious illnesses, like the prevention of measles, hepatitis as well as whooping coughs. Make sure that you’re in consultation with your pediatrician for planning an immunization schedule to keep your child healthy.

Rules are for your baby’s own safety

Using a car seat for babies is not just law, but it’s actually an important step to make sure that your baby’s health isn’t compromised under any circumstances. When it comes to installing the seat, make sure you have comfort level and baby’s size in mind.

Promoting oral health from the very beginning

When it comes to promoting good oral health practices at home, one of the most important steps is teaching your children about the importance of having healthy teeth and gums at an early age. Experts usually suggest parents to make a habit of wiping your baby’s gums each time he’s fed. Similarly, regular tooth brushing should be promoted during early years.

Consulting the dentist                                                                                   

Visiting the dentist every six months is also important to detect and prevent any dental problems in the future. Dental visits and examinations shouldn’t be delayed any longer than the first birthday of your baby.

Creating a safe environment for your baby                

The more you take care of your house’s environment, the better it is for your baby’s oral as well as overall health. If you’re a smoker, quitting on this injurious addiction is perhaps the biggest reward you could give to your baby (and even yourself). Did you know that breast milk (which is important for tooth development) from women who are smokers has dangerous chemicals in it? Babies who live in an environment that isn’t free from smoke have more chances of suffering from lower-respiratory illnesses, asthma and other diseases.

If you haven’t heard of the term dental phobia before, then you most probably have experienced the condition at some point without actually knowing that you were or are still a victim of dental phobia.  If you fear visiting the dentist or the sight of a dental office gives you goose bumps, then you certainly have a condition known as dental phobia or dental anxiety.  It’s quite common for people to fear visiting the dentist or having a dental examination, but we can’t ignore the fact that having regular dental checkups and proper dental treatment on time has a direct impact on our quality of life.

Now, is there a way you could fight dental phobia or cope with this unexplainable fear of dentists and dental examinations? If you’re a sufferer, you’ll be glad to know that there are certain ways to manage this phobia and fight your fears so that you can make sure that your oral health isn’t compromised. Here are some tips to help:

• While you’re in the office, play some relaxing music to relieve dental stress.
• Taking a distraction with you to the office is also a good idea.  While you’re waiting for the dentist to set things up, you could control your anxiety by reading a book or playing your favorite video game.
• Have a good meal before coming to the dentist. Never come with an empty stomach.
• Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing to make yourself more comfortable.

Almost every child exhibits a swallowing pattern characterized by tongue protrusion, but this pattern eventually normalizes as the child turn around six years old. People with the problem of tongue thrust naturally have an abnormal swallow pattern, which causes the tongue to protrude through the anterior incisors while swallowing, speaking and even when keeping the tongue at rest.

So, your child wants to brush teeth on his own? Well, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as your child’s using the right toothpaste to brush his/her teeth. A good way to make sure that your child is following proper oral hygiene practices is getting in afterward to clean the child’s teeth again yourself.

Experts suggest the use of non-fluoridated toothpaste for children who are less than five or six years old. A good way to determine the right age of letting your child use fluoridated toothpaste is checking if your child consistently spits out into the sink. Of course, you wouldn’t want your child to swallow toothpaste since children can swallow excessive amount of toothpaste every single day. Remember, understanding the actual balance between enough fluoride and too much fluoride is very important. Preferably, you should have your child drink fluoridated water as this will be good for teeth development until the child turns 18 of age.

Giving bottled water to children can be a source of oral health concerns as this water doesn’t have fluoride. Cooking at home with tap water also helps get a considerable amount of fluoride that a child might need.

It’s very important for children to brush their teeth at least two times during the day with bedtime being the most ideal time to get hold of a toothbrush. But what if your child is a reluctant tooth brusher? Is there anything you can do about making him or her more comfortable with the entire experience?

Here are a few tips that’ll help you out:

1. Be enthusiastic and encourage your child as much as you can! Young children love when they watch their Mum and Dad getting \ excited about tooth brushing.
2. Giving children the chance to watch their parents brush their teeth from an early age is also a good idea for making them learn oral hygiene practices at a younger age.
3. Repeated warnings should be given to remind the child that brushing time comes before bedtime.
4. Never ask your child if he wants to brush his teeth. Just tell him that you’re going to brush his teeth or he should do it on his own.
5. Try to get some colorful, fun-looking toothbrushes as many children prefer having toothbrushes that are either character-themed or have special features like flashing toothbrushes that actually function by lighting up for a minute.

Here’s another reason to chew your favorite flavored sugar-free gum every day. Yes, chewing sugar-free gum can actually help decrease your chances of developing caries by stimulating the saliva production in your mouth. As a result of this stimulation, plaque acids that lead to tooth decay are neutralized.

Studies have shown that individuals who chew sugar-free gum three times throughout the day have lower chances of developing caries, thereby, reducing the risk by around 40% as compared to those who don’t follow this chewing practice.  For the enhancement of salivary protection during the dental caries attack, your mouth needs a stimulant‚ which is where a sugar-free gum comes into play.  Chewing the gum for around twenty minutes after having meals or snacks offers the stimulus required.

Because of the stimulated saliva flow in your mouth, sugars and damaging acids can be easily cleared from and around the teeth. Furthermore, the plaque microflora stops producing greater amounts of acid. Therefore, stimulated saliva plays an important role in reducing the overall caries susceptibility of the person chewing the gum. So the next time, you grab a pack of sugar-free gum for having a refreshed breath, think about the other oral health benefits your gum carries with it.

Usually, canker sores do not need any treatment and heal on their own. But if they do not get better for more than two weeks, a dentist must be consulted.

Immediate dentist consultation is required for the following serious developments in the canker sores:

• If the size of the sore increases more than normal.
• If there is severe pain.
• If the sores are associated with high fever.
• If they begin to appear frequently.
• If they fail to heal after two weeks.
• If the sores get infected.

Once the dentist is consulted, he advises treatment according to the severity and type of canker sores. The treatment regimen includes pain killers, mouth rinses and antibiotics. Corticosteroid mouth rinses are also used in some cases

Any home remedies?

There are some home remedies which are of course, not an alternative for proper treatment but can help in relieving pain and discomfort.

• Mouth rinses by salt and/or baking soda solutions in water. These rinses help by reducing the acidity in the mouth.
• Application of hydrogen peroxide swabs on the sores as an antiseptic.
• Milk of magnesia swabs reduce pain and promote healing.
• Use of commercial, over the counter antiseptic mouth wash rinses.

There are several dental conditions which require surgical intervention in addition to the traditional treatment methods. The surgical procedures are mainly performed on teeth, jaw bones and the surrounding structures.

So, what are the types?

The common surgical procedures are:

1.     Endodontic surgery: Surgery is performed on the root or pulp of the tooth.

Root canal surgery:

o   Pulpotomy. This is performed prior to root canal treatment. The pulp of teeth is opened and infected material is drained out.

o   Pulpectomy. Also performed prior to root canal treatment, the pulp of the tooth is taken out to relieve pain.

o   Apicoectomy. The terminal part of root in the jaw, known as apex, is resected in order to remove the diseased part completely.

2.     Prosthodontic surgery: Dental prosthetic procedures.

• Crowns  (caps). Crowns are artificial tooth coverings made from ceramic, porcelain, metals, and their combinations.
• Veneers. Crown like artificial coverings which only cover the front or visible surface of the tooth.
• Bridges. Combination of two or more crowns used to replace missing tooth or teeth, in the form of a bridge.
• Implant. Implant is made of titanium and is fixed surgically in the jaw at the site of missing tooth. After 4-6 months an artificial tooth is connected with the implant.
• Dentures (false teeth). It is a set of partial or complete artificial teeth which replaces missing teeth.
• Implant-supported prosthesis. A combination of dentures and implants used to replace missing teeth.

3.     Orthodontic surgery:

• Implants and implant-supported prosthesis. It can be considered as orthodontic surgery as it is performed on the bones.
• Apiectomy. A part of the underlying bone structure is removed.
• Extraction. Removal of a diseased or problematic tooth by pulling or cutting out.
• Fiberotomy. The fibers around a tooth are cut to prevent relapse.

4.   Periodontic Surgery:  

It involves procedures of the supporting structures of teeth which include the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, and the periodontal ligament.

While a smile can play an important role in alleviating stress, it can be a stress itself if there are cracks around a person’s smile. Yes, this is exactly what happens to people with cheilosis, which is also referred to as angular cheilitis. The condition involves cracking of the skin surrounding the mouth corners. It usually results from a yeast infection in the mouth region, which is known as candidiasis.

Who’s at risk?

People who wear complete or partial dentures

Individuals who are overweight

People suffering from diabetes

People with a low immunity

Tips to cope with Cheilosis

If you think you may have this condition or you’re at risk of developing cheilosis, you should follow these tips. Remember, the condition can be prevented and managed to a great extent with proper good denture habits.

• Always make sure that your dentures are kept free of food.
• Ensure regular cleaning of dentures and soak them at night, using a denture cleaner.
• Make sure that you remove your dentures at night.

There are certain measures that can be taken to cope with dryness associated with cheilosis:

Make sure that you’re sipping water on a frequent basis.

Avoid smoking as much as possible.

Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Talk to your dentist or doctor about the use of a saliva substitute or some other medication.

Did you know that there is a tiny amount of tissue that is responsible for holding the baby teeth in place? You may have observed many children habitually wiggling a loose tooth with their tongue or fingers. This wiggling could be all it takes for the tooth to eventually fall out. So, how can you help a child with a loose tooth?

Pulling it Out

If a baby tooth is just slightly loose, it should be left alone unless more of the root starts dissolving. However, if a tooth is extremely loose but doesn’t come out, parents may help their child pull that tooth out. A tissue or a piece of gauze can be used for grasping the tooth firmly. As it is pulled, the tooth should be given a quick twist.

Looking for Signs of Problems

At times, there are certain fragments of the root that don’t dissolve completely and start breaking off and therefore, left in the tissue. The small fragments typically work their way out eventually. But the piece remaining in the tissue can be a cause of swelling, painful sensations, redness or other problems in the mouth. So, make sure that you watch out for any signs indicating a problem like that.

Lastly, make sure that your child gets examined by a qualified dentist, which will help you determine the right ways of maintaining good oral hygiene practices for your child’s well-being.

All You Wanted To Know About Bruxism

Affecting around 10-50% of the population, bruxism or teeth grinding is defined as the clenching of upper and lower jaws along with grinding of both sets of teeth.

The sufferer grinds his teeth without actually realizing that he’s affected by the condition at a subconscious level. In most cases, the affected individual comes to know about the problem from others.

As mentioned earlier, Bruxism occurs mostly while the affected person is asleep. The clenching of jaws and the biting force is much more powerful than during the waking hours, resulting in severe damage to the cheeks, gums or other structures of the mouth.

Does it affect children?

Bruxism is a common occurrence in childhood. Children grind their teeth to get rid of the discomfort caused by other diseases like allergies, colds or ear infections. This phenomenon usually does not produce much damage and wears off as the child grows up.

The culprit?

The exact mechanism of the cause of bruxism is not fully understood. However, it is believed that STRESS is the main culprit behind this condition.

What are the signs?

Grinding of the teeth and forceful clenching of the jaws exerts pressure on muscles and tissues around the jaws, leading to problems of the temporomandibular (jaw) joint.

Loud grinding sounds can disturb the sleep of the partner.

The most common signs of teeth grinding are:

• Damage to the teeth.
• Injury to cheeks, gums, etc.
• Fracture of the teeth.
• Breakdown of the fillings.
• Anxiety and stress.
• State of depression.
• Pain in the ear.
• Headache.
• Sensitivity of the teeth.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Pain in the jaw.
• Problems in eating.

Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that leads to a chronic burning sensation in the mouth. The pain may or may not have some effects on the gums, tongue and lips, as well as the roof of the sufferer’s mouth. The intensity of the pain ranges from mild to severe, as if the mouth has been scalded.

Know the Symptoms

As far as the signs of this condition are concerned, having scalding sensations on your tongue, lips, or within the mouth clearly indicates that you have the condition. In some cases, the pain develops in the late morning, which eventually builds into the evening while eases at night.

Here’s a list of some other signs:

• Dryness or soreness in the mouth
• Having a metallic or bitter taste
• Having tingling sensations in the mouth or at the tip of your tongue

Know the Causes

Burning mouth syndrome can affect any person, but the condition is more likely to be found among women during menopause. It was once believed that burning mouth syndrome resulted from a mental disorder. However, today, it is thought that anxiety and depression can be contributors to the development of the syndrome but the condition may also result from coping with chronic pain.

Here’s a list of some other causes:

• Changes in hormones
•  Damaged nerves controlling pain and taste
• Dryness of the mouth
• Thrush
• Heartburn
• Poor nutrition
• Improper fitting of dentures