Bruxism: Does It Really Matter?

When you grind or clench your teeth, it’s called bruxism. It can happen during the day or at night (sleep bruxism). What matters is whether your bruxism causes TMJ, headaches, or teeth damage. Bruxism may seem like just a bad habit, but it can harm your overall health.

How Do You Know If You Have Bruxism?

There are several symptoms of bruxism:

• The sound of your grinding teeth may wake up your partner
• You have chipped or worn down teeth
• Unusual tooth sensitivity
• Painful, tight, or tired jaw muscles
• Earaches
• Headaches
• The insides of your cheeks are badly chewed
• Tongue indentations

Why Do You Have Bruxism?

It is difficult to say what causes bruxism. It could be stress, anger, or frustration. Sometimes it is because your upper and lower teeth misalign. Bruxism may indicate other sleep problems. Many people don’t realize that bruxism may be a side effect of psychiatric prescriptions.

How Do You Treat Bruxism?

• Reduce the stress in your life. If you know of anxiety triggers, avoid them. Perhaps visit a professional counselor or learn stress management strategies. Begin exercising or mediating; build relaxing habits.
• Wear a mouthguard (available over the counter) or splint (specially made for you by your dentist) when you sleep.
• If bruxism has worn down your teeth, you may require reconstructive treatment, such as crowns, overlays, and correcting misaligned teeth.
• Ask your dentist about behavior therapy. Concentrating on your mouth motions and practicing certain positions may relieve bruxism.
• Your doctor may recommend muscle relaxants, but typically bruxism doesn’t respond to other medications.
• Avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, sugary drinks, and smoking. These habits may worsen bruxism.
• Stop chewing on anything other than food, including chewing gum and pens.
• Try sleeping with a warm washcloth resting on your cheeks in front of your earlobes. This relaxes tight jaw muscles.

Visit Your Dentist for More Teeth Grinding Tips for Treating Bruxism

We recommend making an appointment to see your dentist. Osborne Family Dental guarantees excellence in dentistry and compassion for people; we don’t just treat teeth – we treat you like family. Make an appointment or ask us questions. We’re eager to help!

What Is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is an inflammation and bacterial infection of the gums or soft tissue that surround the teeth. It causes the gums to bleed, and if left unattended, gingivitis can affect the bone and supporting structures of the teeth and cause a more serious infection called periodontitis. Gingivitis usually progresses to periodontitis (gum disease). However, with proper dental care, brushing and flossing, not all gingivitis progresses to periodontitis.

If gingivitis is left untreated and periodontitis sets in, the inner layer of the gum and bone pull away from the teeth forming pockets. The pockets between the teeth and gums collect food particles and bacteria (plaque) and can become infected. The plaque spreads and grows below the gum line. Toxins are produced that start to break down the bone and connective tissue around the teeth. When this occurs, teeth can become loose and tooth loss is possible. Gingivitis which progresses becomes periodontitis and periodontitis is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.

What Causes Gingivitis?

An exact cause has yet to be pinpointed, but we do know one main cause is plaque. Plaque is made up of different types of bacteria found in the mouth. Bacteria can cause inflammation of the gums and everyone has bacteria in their mouth. Gingivitis begins when plaque accumulates between and around the teeth. Another cause believed to be involved in gingivitis is when a person has an illness that weakens the immune system, which prevents the body to fight off the bacteria in the mouth. It is also believed some medications that suppress the immune system can be a cause of gingivitis. Sometimes changes in hormones leave a person more susceptible to gingivitis.

What Are the Symptoms of Gingivitis?

Osborne Family Dental recommends a visit to the dentist if a patient experiences swelling, redness, pain or bleeding around the gums (especially when brushing or flossing), and breath that is extremely bad. All of these may be an indication of gingivitis.

Am I Susceptible?

If you are diabetic, HIV positive, or suffer from Addison’s disease you may be more susceptible to gingivitis. If a patient is experiencing hormonal changes such as in pregnancy, puberty or menopause, the patient may be susceptible. Lastly, patients who are taking medications for high blood pressure, organ transplants or seizures may also be susceptible if the medication suppresses the immune system.

What Are My Treatment Options?

Treatment depends on how advanced the gingivitis is and the overall health of the patient. Options range from a regular cleaning or prophylaxis of the teeth, nonsurgical therapies that control bacterial growth or surgery to restore supportive tissues if it has progressed to periodontitis

In mild cases, gingivitis treatment begins with a professional cleaning and instructions from your dental hygienist. Good dental hygiene at home is an effective way to combat gingivitis. Regular brushing after meals and flossing after brushing are key to good dental hygiene.

In more advanced cases, gingivitis treatment may include scaling and root planing. This nonsurgical procedure is a deep-cleaning removal of plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. It is done under a local anesthetic in your dentist office.

If the gingivitis progresses to periodontitis, surgery may be required to graft in new tissue or bone. In some cases, pocket reduction surgery is required to get rid of the pockets that are full of infection.

If a patient is experiencing medical issues that are causing gingivitis, Dr. Osborne and the medical doctor work with the patient.

There’s a Difference Between Treatment and Care

The good news is that regular visits to the dentist to clean away plaque can avoid this problem and are very important in the battle against gingivitis.

At Osborne Family Dental, we believe in caring treatment. Routine dental check-ups, x-rays, and cleanings are recommended. We believe in proactive treatment given with great care.

Contact us today for more information about gingivitis.

Receding gums is a common dental problem, especially in patients over the age of 40. Receding gums is a slow process in which the gum tissue moves away from teeth. More of the tooth is exposed. It usually goes unnoticed because it occurs so gradually. The first sign may be tooth sensitivity, or you may realize that your tooth looks longer than normal.

Pockets develop near the gum line between the teeth and gums. Bacteria begin to build up in these pockets, and left untreated, can damage the bone and the supportive tissue that hold the teeth in place. This can lead to tooth loss.

What Causes Receding Gums?

There are several factors that cause the gums to recede. Some factors are our own fault, such as body piercings of the lip or tongue. Other causes are beyond our control, such as genetics.

Gums recede when the gums are infected and the tissue and bone are weakened. The most common cause of receding gums is gum disease.

Other causes include brushing teeth aggressively, hormone changes, tobacco usage, grinding teeth and a misaligned bite.

What Are the Symptoms of Receding Gums?

The first symptom of receding gums is generally tooth sensitivity. This is due to the fact that the receding gum is exposing a portion of the root. Sometimes a notch can be noticed near the gum line.

Can I Really Reverse Receding Gums?

Yes, surgical procedures are available to reverse recession. This procedure can include grafting gum tissue or bone in the affected areas. There are also changes you can make at home to keep the problem from reoccurring:

• If tobacco products are causing gums to recede, stop using tobacco and find a healthy substitute.
• A healthy diet is important to healthy gums. Use a good daily vitamin supplement and make certain you are obtaining the daily minerals required.
• Brush after each meal, but don’t attack your teeth and gums.
• Use a soft toothbrush. Your dentist will recommend a toothbrush that is not too large for your mouth, as well as a brush with soft bristles. A brush with medium or hard bristles will only cause further trauma to the gums which can lead to further recession.
• Floss regularly.
• See your dentist for regular visits. Cleanings are very important for removing the plaque that can cause gingivitis.

Gum recession is not something you should ignore. If you think your gums are receding, make an appointment with your dentist. There are treatments that can repair the gums and prevent further damage.

The Difference Between Treatment and Care

At Osborne Family Dental, we believe in caring treatment. Routine dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for healthy teeth and gums. Routine x-rays are necessary to reveal potential cavities, infections, and unhealthy teeth. We believe in proactive treatment given with great care.

Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment to check your receding gums.

“You need a root canal.”

Is there any other statement that strikes as much fear as these words uttered during a trip to the dentist?

What is a root canal? It sounds scary. You’ve heard the horror stories. Let’s debunk these stories shrouding this enormously effective dental treatment.

What Is a Root Canal in Plain English?

A root canal is a dental procedure designed to treat inflamed or infected pulp. What’s pulp, you ask? The pulp is the soft tissue under a tooth’s enamel and dentin. It contains blood vessels and nerves. It helps teeth grow, but it is not necessary for tooth survival after the tooth is full-grown. During a root canal, then, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from a tooth.

Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

During routine dental visits, your dental professional will check for the signs and symptoms of inflamed and/or infected pulp in each tooth. Symptoms include:

• Tooth pain or tenderness to touch and chewing
• Long-term tooth sensitivity to heat or cold
• Tooth discoloration
• Any drainage or tenderness in the lymph nodes, bone, or gum around a tooth

An infection may be verified by an x-ray of the tooth or may be discovered during a routine filling, if no other symptoms exist. However it is diagnosed, inflamed or infected pulp must be treated. Left untreated, infected pulp may cause a painful abscess or lead to complications requiring the removal of the entire tooth. If the infection is untreated for too long, it can spread to other teeth and possibly cause serious health issues.

What Happens During a Root Canal?

Where root canals used to be painful procedures, modern dentistry has made root canals as easy as getting a routine dental filling. In fact, most patients notice that their tooth feels much better after a root canal because the cause of the pain and inflammation have been treated during the procedure.

What exactly happens during a root canal procedure?

1. First, the tooth and surrounding area are anesthetized or numbed.
2. Next, a small opening is drilled in the crown or top of the tooth.
3. Next, the entire pulp is removed from the inside of the tooth.
4. Next, the space is filled with a rubbery material called gutta-percha to seal it.
5. Finally, a temporary filling is placed in the top of the tooth to seal the tooth if a permanent crown will be installed later. Otherwise, a permanent filling is used to seal the opening.

What If I Have Additional Questions About a Root Canal?

If you have additional questions about why a root canal has been prescribed to treat one of your teeth, what to expect during a root canal, or any other concerns about root canals, please contact us. One of our friendly and knowledgeable dental experts would be happy to speak with you about root canals at Osborne Family Dental.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is considered a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. Fortunately, it is not necessary to lose your teeth to this disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, you’re not alone. More than 65% of the population suffers from this disease. Fortunately, modern dentistry knows how to treat periodontal disease.

What Are the Goals of Periodontal Disease Treatment?

The treatment of periodontal disease has three goals:

• Reduce swelling, pocket depth, and infection
• Reattach gums to healthy teeth
• Stop disease progression

What Are the Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease?

Treatment options are considered based on the stage of periodontal disease, on how well the disease and/or patient responded to previous treatment, and on the patient’s general 

health. Treatments include noninvasive mechanical treatments, systemic treatments, and surgical treatments. Let’s look at how to treat periodontal disease by discussing each treatment option.

What Are the Noninvasive Mechanical Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease?

Treating periodontal disease starts with prevention. Good oral care—regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing—can prevent periodontal disease.

If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, regular visits to a qualified, dental expert for professional cleaning and check-ups are the second line of defense. If your dentist finds while cleaning that the disease has progressed to the point of needing additional treatment, he may prescribe scaling and/or root planing.

Scaling and root planing can be done right in the dentist’s office during a regular visit. The procedure includes scraping tartar from the tooth surface both above and below the gum line. Planing is the process of smoothing rough spots on the tooth’s root to prevent the adhesion of bacteria under the gum line. Both procedures can be done with special instruments or lasers. Typically, neither procedure is any more uncomfortable than routine dental cleaning and can be repeated as necessary to slow the progression of the disease.

What Are the Systemic Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease?

From the onset of periodontal disease, systemic treatments may be prescribed in addition to noninvasive or surgical treatment procedures. Over-the-counter mouth rinses to topical antibiotic ointments are the simplest forms of systemic treatments prescribed early in the disease’s progression.

For cases in which periodontal disease has progressed and needs a more aggressive systemic treatment, oral antibiotics may be prescribed. Note, however, that this treatment is usually prescribed for the short term to counter specific periodontal disease symptoms and should not be considered a form of long-term treatment.

What Are the Surgical Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease?

When periodontal disease has progressed to threaten the permanency of individual teeth, surgery may be required. Surgical options for periodontal disease include:

• Flap/pocket reduction surgery
• Bone/soft tissue grafts
• Tissue regeneration
• Bone surgery

As with any health condition for which aggressive treatment has been prescribed, Osborne Family Dental recommends that patients get a second opinion.

Where Can I Get More Information about Treatment Options for Periodontal Disease?

At Osborne Family Dental, our treatment philosophy is “To detect and treat disease as early as possible thus providing the most conservative therapies.” If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease and want to learn more about the treatment options available, contact us to speak with a dental professional. With a thorough examination, Dr. Osborne can discuss with you how to treat your periodontal disease in the most effective way.

What Is TMJ?

TMJ, or “temporal mandibular joint and muscle disorders,” are, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (part of the National Institutes of Health), “a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.” As any sufferer knows, TMJ can be annoying but can become extremely painful and disruptive if left untreated.

What Are Symptoms of TMJ?

The signs and symptoms of TMJ vary in discomfort or pain levels. Common symptoms include:

• Discomfort while chewing, talking, or yawning
• Frequent headaches or migraine headaches, especially upon waking
• Aching of or pain in the ears, cheeks, neck, or shoulders, especially upon waking
• Fatigue of the face or jaw, especially upon waking
• Snapping or popping sound or sensation at the top or back of the jaw when opening or closing the mouth
• Teeth clenching or bruxism during stress, tension, concentration, or during sleep
• Hearing loss, tinnitus (i.e., ringing in the ears), or dizziness
• Reduced motion or a shifting of the jaw when opening wide
• Inability to experience restful sleep
• TMJ sufferers may experience one or more of these or other symptoms.

Does the Identification of TMJ Symptoms Help with a Quick Diagnosis?

Unfortunately, diagnosing your jaw pain is not as easy as recognizing the symptoms of TMJ. Often, TMJ symptoms alone are not enough to diagnose the disorder. And, if not addressed at an early stage, or if treatment does not address the underlying causes, TMJ can become a very painful and a very complex musculoskeletal condition.

How Is TMJ Diagnosed?

Because of the complex nature of TMJ, diagnosing your jaw pain requires the experience of a professional. Fortunately, the dental experts at Osborne Family Dental screen for TMJ at every checkup. In addition to checking for TMJ symptoms, your hygienist or dentist will evaluate possible underlying causes of any TMJ symptoms so that proper treatment can be prescribed.

How Is TMJ Treated?

It may be tempting to try one of the many over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to relieve your TMJ symptoms. In fact, the experts at Osborne Family Dental may recommend an OTC solution for the treatment of your TMJ. It is important, however, to understand the distinction. Improperly treated TMJ can develop into conditions far more serious. Always consult a professional for the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ.

Why Choose Osborne Family Dental for TMJ Treatment?

Osborne Family Dental strives to make early intervention of and treatment for TMJ not only possible, but also probable with regular screening and expert evaluation of TMJ symptoms and their underlying causes. What makes Osborne Family Dental special, however, is our treatment philosophy. It is our goal “To detect and treat disease as early as possible.” Furthermore, “It is central to our philosophy of dental care that good dental treatment produces real-life benefits that are worth paying for.”

Contact Us

If you are experiencing any of the mentioned TMJ symptoms and would like to discuss diagnosing your jaw pain, contact us. Rest assured that we’ll look beyond your symptoms to discover the underlying causes of TMJ. Only then can we recommend a TMJ treatment that’s right for you.

We look forward to seeing you!

Has someone you love suggested that your snoring may mean that you have sleep apnea? Are you inexplicably tired or have a hard time concentrating after a full eight hours of sleep? Let’s take a closer look at sleep apnea symptoms. In this short post, we’ll review what sleep apnea is and what its common symptoms are. Then, we’ll discuss the symptoms that indicate you should see your doctor for an evaluation. Finally, we’ll explore some treatment options for sleep apnea.

What is Sleep Apnea?

If you have sleep apnea, you repeatedly stop breathing—in some cases, hundreds of times—while sleeping. Sleep, especially deep sleep, is interrupted each time you stop breathing until you start breathing again. It’s the interruption of sleep that causes most sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep apnea is quite common. The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that “22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea,” but that “80 percent of the cases of moderate [to] severe obstructive sleep apnea [are] undiagnosed.”

What are Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

There are several sleep apnea symptoms, including:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Inexplicable tiredness after a full eight hours of sleep
• Loud snoring
• Restless sleep punctuated with episodes of “gasping for breath”
• Awaking from sleep feeling out of breath
• Morning headaches
• Excessive dry mouth or dry throat in the morning
• Short attention span or inability to concentrate, and
• Insomnia

Fortunately, none of these symptoms is usually cause for alarm. Even several of these symptoms together may not signify that you suffer from sleep apnea. Stress, side effects from medication, a change of routine, among other events and experiences can cause many of these same symptoms.

When Should You See Your Doctor for Sleep Apnea Symptoms?

You should speak with Dr. Osborne as soon as possible if you experience any of the symptoms related to stopping breathing, specifically episodes of “gasping for breath” while sleeping or awakening from sleep feeling out of breath. In addition, if your snoring is loud enough to wake someone or is loudest after periods of what appear to be episodes of not breathing, you should schedule an appointment immediately. In addition, if your inability to concentrate or short attention span affects your ability to work effectively or safely, or any of the symptoms from this list last more than a couple days, consult with Dr. Osborne and what steps to take next.

Please tell Dr. Osborne or your hygienist about any sleep apnea symptoms you’re experiencing. We offer the Watermark Home Sleep Study device that you can use to take a simple and inexpensive at-home sleep study. Of course, after discussing your symptoms with Dr. Osborne, he may recommend for you to get a medical evaluation or request a polysomnogram (sleep study) for sleep apnea from your physician.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Osborne Family Dental works directly with you and/or your physician or sleep specialist to treat sleep apnea. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for those suffering from sleep apnea. Ask us for more information about our Somnomed oral appliance therapy at your next appointment. With the right treatment, you can get a good night’s sleep again!

At your most recent dental appointment, your dentist may have fit you with a mouth guard, occlusal guard (often called a night guard), or other oral appliance. While it may take some getting used to, with regular use and proper care, your guard will protect your teeth for years to come. Follow these simple steps to care for your guard.

Continue reading →