9 Signs That You Are Grinding Your Teeth At Night And How To Stop

Dec 14th, 2015
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Is anxiety ruining your teeth? It could be. Here are 9 signs that you’re grinding your teeth at night, and how you can stop.

Grinding your teeth, officially referred to as “bruxism”, involves the involuntary gnashing, clenching, and grinding of the teeth. This can be a painful side effect of stress. Teeth grinding can contribute to serious dental issues such as broken teeth, sore teeth and jaw, strain or stress on the temporomandibular joint, wear on the teeth causing a need for fillings, pain or limited movement in the jaw, and cracked enamel.

Signs Of Teeth Grinding
Doctor’s suggest that those who suffer from nervousness, an undue amount of stress or frustration, anger issues, or aggressive behavior may be at risk to grind their teeth during sleep. Because bruxism happens during the night it is commonly considered a sleeping disorder. Common symptoms and signs that you are grinding your teeth at night include:

Jaw clenching throughout the day

Teeth sensitivity

Ringing in or fullness of the ears

Head and neck aches

Jaw or ear pain, especially when clenched

The sounds of tooth grinding during sleep

Tooth enamel that is unduly chipped or cracked

Loose teeth

Loss of cheek tissue due to sleep-related biting or grinding

How To Stop Grinding Your Teeth At Night
When it comes to repairing damaged teeth due to night-time grinding, visit your dentist to repair any tooth loss or to get a filling if needed. Ask your dentist about a mouth guard you can wear as you sleep to further protect your teeth. While there are several things your dentist can do to help repair your teeth, the rest will be up to you. It is recommended to contact your doctor or therapist to deal with stress and learn techniques for relaxation. These will help you to break the habit of stress-induced teeth grinding.

Don’t let anxiety take its toll on your mouth; conquer the bad habit of grinding your teeth at night. Call Easton Dentist today and schedule an appointment to talk about teeth grinding and how we can help.

Posted in Dental Care, Dental Issues, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ | No Comments »

Eating For Dental Health – Which Foods Help, Which Foods Hurt

Dec 7th, 2015
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

What foods should you be eating for your dental health? We’re talking about dental diets – which foods help and which foods to avoid.

When it comes to your health, you’re well aware that the foods you put into your body have a direct impact on your overall wellbeing – but what about your teeth? What you eat matters, and there is a distinct line between what food is good for your teeth, and which ones will take a quick toll on your dental health. While it’s common knowledge that too much candy and sugar are harmful to your teeth, there may be some foods on the list that surprise you. We’re looking at which foods to eat for good dental health, and which ones to avoid.

Foods For Healthy Teeth
On top of keeping up with your daily brushing and flossing, if you’re looking to keep your teeth healthy and strong, these are the foods for you:

Milk. It’s no secret that calcium is great for your teeth. Not only will it help keep the teeth and jaw strong, it will also help guard against gum disease.

Almonds. In a well-portioned diet, almonds are perfect for helping keep teeth healthy. These delicious nuts contain both protein and calcium, and are low in sugar.

Strawberries. This delicious fruit contains vitamin C, which produces gum strengthening collagen. Just remember to floss afterwards.

Cheese. Another great source of calcium is cheese. Furthermore, studies indicate that cheese will raise the pH balance in the mouth and reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth
When it comes to snacking, there are certain foods that should be avoided in order to maintain great dental health. Here are some foods you should swap out of your diet.

Ice. It may seem fun and satisfying to crunch an ice cube in half, but this habit is detrimental to your oral health. While ice doesn’t contain any sugars, chewing on these rock hard morsels can actually damage your tooth enamel.

Lemons. Lemons and limes contain a pH level of 2, meaning these delicious drink toppers are strong enough to erode your tooth enamel. This can lead to teeth yellowing and sensitivity.

Hard Fruits And Vegetables. Vegetables and fruits are fantastic for your diet, but hard or crunchy fruits such as apples can actually damage sensitive teeth. Avoid taking an eager bite into the side of hard or crunchy foods. Instead, ingest such foods in small, bite-sized pieces.

Sodas. Sodas are notoriously full of sugar, and are terrible for your teeth. Even diet sodas will wreak havoc on the integrity of your teeth. If you can’t kick this deliciously bad habit, try sipping your soda through a straw. The farther away this carbonated beverage gets from your teeth, the better.

Corn On The Cob. Corn on the cob can cause some unfortunate damage to fillings and orthodontic wires attached to braces, as well as damage dentures. Don’t worry; you can still enjoy this delicious food, just not on the cob.

Looking for a dentist in the Columbus Ohio area? Come to The Dental Center at Easton Town Center. We offer restorative dentistry, emergency care, and accept a wide variety of dental insurance plans. Drop in, or schedule an appointment today.

Posted in Cavity Prevention, Dental Care, Diet | No Comments »

Common Causes Of Tooth Pain

Dec 3rd, 2015
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

Do you have a toothache you just can’t shake? These are the most common causes of tooth pain, and what you can do about them.

Severe tooth pain can throw a wrench in your entire day. Now imagine the pain persists well into your week and before you know it, you’re suffering from a throbbing, swollen mouth. Dental insurance and company plans cover most causes for dental aches and pains. Don’t let something as simple as tooth pain stop you from comfortably living your life. Here are the 4 most common causes of tooth pain and what can be done to save your mouth.

Tooth Decay
When it comes to tooth aches, tooth decay is usually the main culprit. The buildup of plaque and harmful bacteria can dissolve the enamel of your teeth, causing cavities and sensitivity. Take action against the pain and call your dentist to see what they recommend.

Gum Disease
Periodontitis and gingivitis are the two main types of gum disease. Gum disease can be a serious dental issue that may cause a lot of pain. Symptoms of gum disease include swollen or tender gums, gum detachment, sensitive or bleeding teeth, as well as tooth aches. The ache stems from the pockets formed by the gums detaching from the teeth and filling with bacteria. In mild cases of gum disease, daily brushing, antibiotics, and thorough daily flossing may be enough to clean the infected pockets.

Impacted Wisdom Teeth
If your wisdom teeth have become impacted, this means they cannot fully erupt from the gums due to blockage by other teeth or improper growth. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth have grown in sideways and may affect your nerves if taken out. This can lead to intense pain, inability to open the mouth, and inflammation. The pain associated with impacted wisdom teeth may subside on its own, or with antibiotics, however it’s in your best interest to have the wisdom teeth removed to avoid future infections.

Damage To The Teeth
If you have chipped a tooth, this damage may be the source of the tooth ache. Broken or damaged crowns, fillings, or chips in the teeth can easily be fixed by making an appointment with your dentist.

Are you suffering from tooth pain that just won’t go away? Don’t go on suffering when there are easy solutions to rid your mouth of pain. With dental insurance and company plans available, call and schedule an appointment with Easton Dentist’s today at (614) 414-0111

Posted in Dental Insurance, Dental Plan Acceptance, Gum Disease, Urgent Care | No Comments »