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Stress and Grinding Your Teeth
Among the leading causes of people grinding their teeth is stress and anxiety. Your dentist may have asked you if you grind your teeth at night, but he’s not just worried about the effects it has on your teeth, it can also have impacts in on your jaw, cause headaches, ear pain, and even lead to a lack of sleep. Here’s what you need to know about teeth grinding and your health.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, as it is also known as, occurs when you clasp your teeth too hard or rub your teeth over one another. In many people teeth grinding can happen while asleep, and they may never know about it. Teeth grinding can wear teeth down and put undue force on the jaw. Though there are many reasons for bruxism, stress is by far the largest factor in it occurrence.
Beating Stress
Taking the time to relax muscles in your face and jaw at various intervals in the day can help to relax you. Of course getting rid of stress is never an easy task, but by practicing things like mediation and yoga, you can train your body to be less stressed by daily endeavors. Getting regular exercise, getting counseling, and eating a healthy diet can also help alleviate the triggers that cause stress and anxiety.
Other Factors
Some people have sleep disorders which are also known to result in teeth grinding. If you suffer from teeth grinding, then your dentist could recommend a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you slumber. In extreme cases, muscle relaxants can be used before bed to relax the mouth. Teeth grinding also occurs more frequently in people with misaligned bites or missing teeth.
Chronic Cases
Though most teeth grinding is not harmful, those with chronic bruxism can wear their teeth down to abnormal levels. Chronic conditions can also affect your head and face in other ways as well, such as causing TMJ, jaw pain, and even alter your facial structure. Over two-thirds of teeth grinding happens while people sleep and most is thought to be due to stress or anxiety. Some antidepressants can also cause teeth grinding as a side effect. Various forms of sleep apnea, such as obstructive sleep apnea, have been shown to lead to nighttime grinding.
Your Options
Often people do not know that they are grinding their teeth until someone they sleep with ring s it to their attention. If you think you might grinding your teeth, your dentists can look at your mouth and jaw for the signs of this and go through various choices of treatment. Some easy options can include modifying your diet to cut down on drinks and food containing caffeine, and also limiting alcohol.
Both Children and Adults
Adults are not the only ones to grind teeth either, as between 15% to 33% of kids also are thought to do so. Children seem to grind their teeth when they are getting baby teeth and also when their permanent teeth are coming in. This bruxism then stops as the children grow other.
If you have question about teeth grinding, suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night, then let Portland dentist Dr. Jarvis at Southwest Portland Dental know the next time you visit.
4 Tips to Improve Your Oral Health
Your teeth are important and taking care of them is essential for a confident smile. Of course you have heard how important it is to brush your teeth and floss your teeth everyday, but there are other things you can do to care for your teeth. Here at Southwest Portland Dental, we take pride in educating our patients on the benefits of happy and healthy oral health. These tips can help make your next dental visit more comfortable.
Address Your Dental Fear
Many people have fears about visiting the dentist. As adults many people will ignore these anxieties and push through the fear. But fear can prevent you from taking proper care of your teeth. Dental fear can be a learned behavior and if you have children it can be passed on. Your dentist is always there to help you, so if you have a dental anxiety speaks openly and honest to your dentist. They are there to help you.
Make a First Impression
Recent research shows that when you meet someone, the first thing they will see is your eyes, then your smile. Your smile is essential to a good lasting impression. If you are applying for a new job, going on a first date, or trying to impress a boss for a promotion, your smile will grab attention when it is clean and healthy.
Chew Sugar Free gum
You can take a proactive approach to your health by chewing sugar free gum. Sugar free gum is great for your oral health because it produces salvia flow and can decrease risk of cavities. Pick a flavor you like and chew gum between meals.
Avoid Mouth Piercings
Mouth piercings can be harmful to your health. The can cause extra bacteria build up which will often cause mouth infections. You can be healthier when you clean out your mouth with mouthwash, and rinse with water regularly.
Your oral health is essential to your overall health. Make a decision to be proactive and take health steps to improve your health.
Call us and make an appointment today.
Secrets to Great Oral Health
Eating vitamin-rich, healthy foods is essential to a healthy life. But we know it is easy to forget the basics for a well-maintained and healthy smile. What you eat is important, as it will have an overall affect on your oral health. Many dentists will see disease before your doctor can, as your teeth and mouth can tell a story to your overall health.
Brushing and flossing each day is important but it’s not to say it is the only thing to do. Here are other health tips to help you make the right choice for your health.
Look at the ingredients
Reading the ingredients in your food is key to your health but how often do you read the food labels of your toothpaste and mouthwash? The ingredients could play a key role in your mouth health. When you want a minty fresh breath avoid chemicals and gimmicks. Many big brand names will make false claims that can actually hurt your health.
Always check your toothpastes ingredients and make sure there are no agents that will cause drying such as alcohol which can cause even more damage than good. All natural is one way to go with toothpastes and even mouthwash because the natural ingredients will not irritate sensitive teeth or gums. They will get rid of bacteria build up in the mouth and also leave lasting freshness.
Spend more on a toothbrush
Buying a flimsy $2 toothbrush is not really going to help your long-term dental health. Investing in a toothbrush and spending a little but more can make a difference in your health. If you can, spring for an electronic toothbrush, it is one of the best ways to fight off cavities, mainly because the bristles are designed to brush your teeth on a timer. Most people don’t take enough time to brush their teeth, which can result in cavities and bad breath.
Floss more
We say floss more, because many of our patients don’t actually floss enough. Sometimes every now and then does not help your oral health. Flossing is a lot like a muscle you have to work it out daily to help it get stronger. Take time to floss every day and you will feel better and healthier in the long run.
Regular cleanings
No matter how much you floss and brush your teeth visiting your dentist for regular cleanings is key for long term oral health success. If you have questions about your oral health, be open and honest with your dentist. We are here to help and our ultimate goal is your health.
Why Exercise Is Good For Your Teeth
We all know that exercise has a host of benefits for our bodies and even our moods but did you know that it could also help your teeth and gums? It turns out there ere are real, proven links between our oral health and how fit we are. Of course, it never hurts to get more workouts in, but you might be surprised at just how good a run, walk, or time on treadmill is for your mouth. Dentists in SW Portland, OR Dr. Howard Jarvis and Dr. Tiffany Goldwyn always encourage patients to think of their whole body health in addition to regular oral care.
Regular Exercise and Gum Disease
Gum disease or periodontitis, is when harmful bacteria inflame gums. A Journal of Dentistry study in 2005 found that regular exercise lowers the risk of gum disease. In fact, it found that participants who never smoked and who exercised regularly were 54% less likely to have periodontitis compared to those who did not exercise. A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey also showed that partially active people, or those who exercise less then three times per week, were 33% less likely to have gum disease than those who reported no regular physical activity. Physically active people, or those who exercised three to five times a week, reported a 52% lower occurrence of gum disease than the inactive group.
BMI and Oral Health
In another study published in Journal of Periodontology from the University of Florida, researchers looked at the body mass index of BMI of participants and also body fat percentage and maximal oxygen consumption to find out about how fit people were. Researchers assessed each participant’s oral health, and discovered that those who upheld a healthier weight and partook in regular exercise were much less prone to gum disease. According to the study “Individuals who maintained normal weight, engaged in the recommended level of exercise, and had a high-quality diet were 40% less likely to have periodontitis compared to individuals who maintained none of these health-enhancing behaviors.” It is also known that metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, is bad for oral health. Just another reason why making sure your getting enough exercises could prevent you from problems with your teeth.
All these studies and findings are expanding our knowledge of how our lifestyles can influence dental health. Of course there’s no substitute for a visit to the dentist to get your mouth fit and in shape, so contact Portland dentists Dr. Jarvis and Dr. Goldwyn at 503-244-8112 to schedule a personal appointment today!
Send Kids Back-To-School With Healthy Teeth
The leaves are just starting to turn and the school buses are beginning to appear in neighborhoods all across the country. You’ve done the shopping for pencils and pens, and gotten the wardrobe just right for your child’s all-important first day back at school.
That’s right, it’s back-to-school time, which also means it’s time make sure your kids’ teeth are healthy and happy. Almost one million school days are lost each year because of tooth pain, so here’s some helpful hints to make sure your child has healthy teeth this school season.
Schedule a dental checkup
Children should see a dentist twice a year and by adding a back-to-school dental visit you can ensure proper teeth care and less missed days due to toothaches or any other dental problems. By making a dental exam part of your annual routine, children can also begin to see going to the dentist as a beneficial habit and part of every year’s pre-school plans. Some schools may even require a dental checkup, so be sure to contact your dentist today to get on their schedule early.
Bring healthy snacks
Among the best choices for snacks and lunches in a child’s lunchbox are cheese, fresh fruit, and veggies. Cheeses such as cheddar are excellent for your child’s teeth as they neutralize harmful acids. You should also look to eliminate acidic options like sodas and some fruit juice, which can erode the enamel on children’s teeth. Foods high in protein like milk and yogurt are a wonderful choice as well, as they not only help a child feel full, but also are good for overall mouth health. Try to stay away from processed and refined carbs that are high in sugar. If your kids do need something sweet, chocolate is a decent choice and much better then hard candy or bubble gum, as it offers much shorter exposure of sugar to the teeth.
Time it right
Setting a schedule for your child to floss and brush is key to promoting healthy teeth. Children should brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once. Often during busy mornings kids will forget these routine tasks. By instituting a schedule every morning and evening (and by helping supervise them), you can get children used to a routine that will last a lifetime. A tooth-brushing timer is another great way to help children keep track of how long they are supposed to brush for. There are many fun options on the market today made to make sure kids get the necessary two-minute minimum of brushing time.
Rinse after every meal
Remind your child to try to rinse their mouth out with water after eating a meal at while at school. In an ideal world people should brush their teeth after every meal, but by at least rinsing out your mouth and freeing food particles from your teeth and gum it can help prevent decay.
Involve them in the shopping
Involving your child in choosing the their toothbrush and floss gets them into the process and allows the feel a part of their own dental health. Making sure that they know how to choose toothbrush with soft bristles and that is the correct size for their age will help empower them to use those objects more. Letting your child choose a toothpaste flavor that they will enjoy is also key, as their taste may be very different then yours.
Contact Dr. Tiffany Goldwyn and Dr. Howard Jarvis at SW Portland Dentists for your child’s back to school appointment today!