What Causes People To Grind Their Teeth?

By Ellen Roberts

Simply defined, teeth grinding is the act of consciously or unconsciously clenching your teeth either during the day or while you sleep. It is clinically referred to as bruxism. Bruxism is considered both a medical and a dental problem. This is because it affects both the teeth and all of the structure near it, including the head. Have you ever had a roommate or a sleeping partner that snores? Well you might have had one that grinds their teeth in their sleep as well. However, unlike snoring, teeth grinding sounds are a little on the low side, although it can be as bothersome as well. Teeth grinding usually happens during sleep.

Over time, teeth grinding can cause serious tooth damage, such as cracking of enamel. Grinding your teeth at night can cause a painful jaw in the morning. If you grind your teeth, you will know the problems that it can cause. Many people who grind their teeth find their jaw is tense during the day as well, but the worst grinding happens at night. And this is where the real problem arises. Teeth grinding can keep your sleeping partner awake, causing relationship difficulties.

The most likely culprits to teeth grinding are things like stress, sleep disorders, crooked or missing teeth and having an abnormal bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not come together normally (known as malocclusion). Tobacco, caffeine, alcohol or drug use may also cause teeth grinding. In rare instances, teeth grinding can be a side-effect of antidepressant medicines. Having a vitamin deficiency (such as of calcium or magnesium) may be linked with teeth grinding, so it's important to follow a well-balanced, nutritious diet and take a multivitamin supplement if needed. Also, short-term teeth grinding may be caused by an illness, such as a cold, ear infection, pinworms or allergies; check with your doctor if the grinding continues after the medical condition has passed.

Most of the time, treatment is not needed and many children will stop grinding their teeth on their own. If left untreated, however, teeth grinding can sometimes damage the teeth or cause headaches and tmj (temporomandibular joint) pain. Your dentist may recommend a mouth guard or appliance (a splint for the teeth) to protect the teeth and possibly prevent grinding. Orthodontic correction may be needed if the teeth or jaws are poorly aligned.

Keep the jaws relaxed in the daytime by not chewing on pens, pencils, fingernails or gum may prevent grinding and clenching at night. Finally, treating and preventing stress or anxiety through counseling, relaxation, exercise, meditation, hypnotherapy or any number of other stress-relief methods may help eliminate teeth grinding as well. For more information on how to prevent or cure bruxism just go to the link below. - 29879

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Click Here To Learn How To Relieve And Prevent Bruxism.

How To Save A Chipped Tooth

By Anna Jensen

A person can have a chipped tooth because he is active in playing sports, has an active lifestyle and is prone to meeting accident. His tooth can be chipped through these activities if his mouth accidentally hits hard objects or body parts. If your tooth has lost some of its parts or if it has a crack, it is already considered a chipped tooth. Others are not conscious that their tooth is chipped until they chew on food or drink cold or hot beverages and feel pain. Yes, a chipped tooth could be really painful, but you need not worry because there are ways for you to save your tooth.

A chipped tooth is usually acquired during unexpected times. Since it happens to you unexpectedly, you have the tendency to get panicky. Keep in mind that you need to be calm and focused. Confusion during the event can possibly result to a more serious risk on your part. Remember to directly see the dentist when you have a chipped tooth.

Find the tooth that is chipped and pinpoint where you feel pain. Assess if the tooth is severely damaged and what part of it is missing. If you can't directly see your dentist after you have gotten a chipped tooth, try to do first aid. You can choose to clean the tooth with water and milk solution if it has a large damage or if it is totally lost. Submerge the tooth in the solution for a while. Remember to not remove tissues and nerves that surround the lost tooth.

Immediately see a dentist if you have a chipped tooth. Even though the tooth is damage slightly, it must not be ignored. Waiting to feel the pain of your chipped tooth before consulting the dentist about it will just worsen the problem. Your tooth may quickly deteriorate without you noticing it. The dentist is an expert in dealing with problems like this, and he can easily evaluate what must be done to treat the tooth. Whatever the conditions of your teeth are, you must not worry because with the help of our technology it will definitely be treated. The method of treating the tooth relies on the severity of the damage tooth.

The dentist will ask if you have felt some pain and will have dental x-rays done as soon as possible. If the damage is just minimal, the dentist can simply file the tooth. Sometimes, if the dentist doesn't recommend anything, then there's nothing to worry about. But in most cases, dentists treat chipped tooth even if it is just a minor case. The dentist will use composite or porcelain veneers to bond the tooth back together. These veneers will give a smooth finish and a pleasing appearance to your damaged tooth.

A badly damaged tooth can also be treated. A crown can be used to cover the tooth and protect it from being easily damaged. This crown also improves the tooth's appearance. The chipped tooth can also be filled with fillings that are made to look like real teeth. If the filling is not applicable because the tooth is totally damaged, the dentist can give you an advice on how to extract the tooth and have it replaced. - 29879

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Before you get your teeth checked, make sure you review what Anna writes about what to do to fix chipped tooth and how to fix broken tooth.

Finding an Affordable Dental Plan

By Nathan Victor

Having dental insurance is very important. However, finding the right plan that offers a good combination of affordability and coverage can be challenging. Below we provide some tips to help you find the right dental plan.

The Plan Should Offer Full Insurance

First of all, when looking for affordable dental plans, you need to make sure that you are fully insured. Just because it is cheap doesn't mean that it is affordable. You need to make sure that you get enough coverage for your family and being underinsured can actually be more expensive to you than paying a bit more for a better plan.

Talk to Your Employer

If you are looking for a dental plan that you can easily afford, you may want to talk to your employer. Many employers today actually have group policies in place. When you go with a group plan through your employer you can get a great plan while saving a huge amount of money since it is a group dental plan.

Use The Internet To Look For Quotes

Another way that you can find affordable dental plans is to get online and look for some quotes on the insurance that you need. There are a variety of companies that allow you to get quotes online and often you can actually find some of the best deals when you go online. This is the easiest way to find the best deals on dental insurance.

Look For Discount Plans

if you can not afford a regular dental plan looking for discount plans may be a good idea. Ther exist lots of discounted plans that are a lot more affordable than regular ones. While these may not offer the same coverage, they are a lot cheaper. People who want to save a lot of money on dental insurance may want to try discount plans.

Ask Your Dentist

Sometimes if you need affordable dental plans getting suggestions from a dentist is a great idea. Obviously you'll find that dentists work with insurance companies on a regular basis and know the best options for their patients. So, take the time to talk to your dentist and get a good suggestion from them.

Always Compare Prices

If you want to find the most affordable dental plan, you simple need to compare prices. This is obviously very important. take your time and look around on the internet. This will help you save a lot. - 29879

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To find the most affordable dental plans, you should visit www.dentalplans.com. For a detailed review of this site as well information on discount dental insurance, visit BestForDental.com

Nurturing Good Teeth With Electric Toothbrushes

By Phil Zertisky

Battery operated electric toothbrushes came on the market a few years ago. They were a great improvement over ones previously used. They eliminated the need to spend a certain amount of time each day brushing one's teeth with an up and down motion by integrating dental technology into a brushing system that would be effective at home.

When choosing a toothbrush two things are desired, one that will clean the teeth and leave a pleasant taste in the mouth. The question of what type to get depends, of course, on one's individual taste. Some prefer the plain old toothbrush with no added features while others prefer one that will perform independent action by just moving it over the surface of the teeth.

Anthropologists have found that even in ancient times man suffered from bad teeth. This has continued to the present day. Fortunately, through education, people have been taught that it is possible to keep their teeth for most, if not all, of their lives. To be able to do this they must practice oral hygiene and brush their teeth regularly. Thanks to the invention of toothbrushes, plain and electric, as well as public education, this has been something that has been easily integrated into even hectic lifestyles.

In searching for a toothbrush one will see many models and designs. One of the things that has been very helpful are the models with several differently shaped heads. These heads are interchangeable and perform various functions to clean the teeth. Sometimes there are too many choices, however, so doing a little research in advance is often the best recommendation.

Although there are arguments that the electric or battery toothbrush is not any different from the manual one, no one can argue that the advantage of owning an electrical toothbrush is its ability to reach into deeper places between the teeth than the old manual one did. Being able to do this keeps more plaque from forming on the teeth and, therefore, eliminates the need for more frequent dentist visits for cleaning.

It has been agreed among professionals that a person should brush their teeth a minimum of 2 minutes twice daily. In brushing all areas of the top and bottom, teeth should be covered thoroughly especially behind the back molars. It is also helpful if dental floss is used to remove any food lodged between the teeth before brushing.

Some toothbrush companies have developed a visual screen that shows when the brushing time is up. Many doubt that this has had any extra advantage to brushing one's teeth correctly. Several advance electric toothbrushes have two timers. One buzzes several times until the two minute time is reached. This has been developed to remind the user that they need to brush their teeth a minimum of two minutes.

The buildup of plaque under the gums causes bleeding and a great deal of pain. When the mouth gets in this condition the patient has to have what is called 'deep cleaning'. This means that the technician must go under the gums to scrape out the plaque. This is not a pleasant experience. With electric toothbrushes, or other types of brushes, but this problem can be avoided if careful brushing is done daily. - 29879

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There is just something about those electric toothbrushes. The electric toothbrush we use each night gets in between those hard to reach places. It definitely helps keep good oral hygiene.

Jacksonville Beach FL Teeth Whitening Expert Offers Hope For Whiter Teeth

By Roslyn Mesta

Teeth that are darkened and stained result in low self-esteem and shaded smiles for the person that has them. Appearance remains one of the most important issues in society today, including in regards to making the right first impression. Visiting a Jacksonville Beach teeth whitening dentist is the best answer to this problem.

The procedures to whiten teeth are much shorter than ever before. This is true for dental office and at home options. Pain, anxiety, and dental induced stress no longer need to be suffered either.

Being in pain, uncomfortable, or suffering a panic attack are issues that are no longer a problem. Avoiding preventative care is not necessary due to pain fears either. There are methods the dentist uses to reduce or eliminate pain, and anxiety can be relieved by the patient being put to sleep or relaxed enough to cancel the nervousness. A full smile makeover can be the answer for those that have uneven teeth that are severely discolored. In office laser treatments or at home bleaching kits are choices for the patient.

Lasers and trays can be used in combination for three to four weeks when the patient has accumulated years of various stains. Porcelain crowns and veneers are techniques to remedy medication teeth darkening ' one of these is Tetracycline.

Everyone suffers from some tooth yellowing or darkening over the years. This is caused simply by eating and drinking certain foods and liquids. Other causes are smoking, red wine, tea, coffee, and avoidance of regular dental care are some of the worst culprits. However, this condition no longer has to simply be accepted.

Many modern dental options exist when teeth have become stained. Shorter time frames and reduction of pain and fear are great new results in the dental practice of today. Getting a fabulous smile is easier than ever with Jacksonville Beach teeth whitening! - 29879

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Teeth that are darkened and stained result in low self-esteem and shaded smiles for the person that has them. Visiting a Jacksonville Beach teeth whitening dentist is the best answer to this problem. More info now on http://www.burgesscenter.com/

Root Canal Dentistry Is Necessary And Should Be Painless

By Adriana Noton

Root Canal Dentistry is known casually as 'having a root canal.' It is known formally as endodontic therapy. Getting a root canal is often thought of as a painful procedure, but it should actually be painless if it is done right and it is absolutely necessary for damaged teeth. If teeth are neglected, they can become infected, be extraordinarily painful, and lead to further serious health problems if infection spreads.

If a dentist sees a tooth is cracked or decaying and therefore vulnerable to infection, the tooth is cracked open with a drill. Inside a tooth contains pulp. The pulp may already be infected, but whether it is or not, the pulp is extracted from the tooth completely. This fully kills the tooth, but it at least saves the tooth in form and keeps it from having to be pulled.

It also saves a lot of pain since it should stop or prevent the infection. After the pulp is taken out, the tooth is cleaned, filed, and filled with a dental cement or sealant. Usually this is a liquid that must be hardened with X-rays. The good thing about doing a root canal this way is that the liquid can seep into all areas of the cavity, making sure it is totally closed up.

The tooth dies, which means that all the nerves are gone from it and there is no blood supply. To help protect it, a crown is often put on. You still have use of the tooth and don't have any unsightly gaps, which can be seen even if it is a back tooth.

So why are root canals so dreaded? Why do people think they're so painful? The answer lies in the people who do not take care of their teeth and who wait to see dentists. If someone allows an infection to spread to his or her gums until the pain becomes unbearable, the root canal will be painful because a dentist can only control so much of a person's pain. When the infection hits the gums, it fills them with pus. Root Canal Dentistry tries to prevent this.

The pus means a longer process before the tooth can be fixed and a longer recovery. The root has a lot of pressure put on it by the pus, which is why it is painful. A dentist must make incisions so the pus is able to drain out. Medication is also usually given in this situation to help control the infection and to dry the pus. It takes at least a week before the tooth is ready for surgery.

Root canals, though necessary, can leave someone with lasting problems. There have been instances of tiny pieces of dental tools breaking off inside the tooth and being left there by the dentist. The tooth has a small chance of still becoming infected after the surgery, or it may become infected years later.

Teeth are also delicate if root canals have been performed on them because the center of the tooth is scraped out. It leaves its structure flimsy. A tooth is therefore likely to crack. People also tend to think that having a crowns means your tooth doesn't need to be taken care of. This is not true. The tooth needs just as much attention as any other. If you take care of your teeth in the first place, none of this pain or expense need be undergone. - 29879

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Are you looking for a reputable dentist in Toronto? It is not hard to find dentist london Ontario, or even cosmetic dentist london ontario - you just need to look it up online.

How To Fight Bad Breath Problems: Ways To Scrape A White Coated Tongue

By Zayden Mah

Are you familiar with what causes bad breath? If not, try scraping your tongue and smell what you get. If you don't like the smell, then you have probably figured out one of the halitosis causes that are lesser known and not as easily detected. There are many causes of bad breath, but a condition known as a "geographic tongue" is one of them.

Basically, you should try not to have any misconception on what is a geographic tongue. In fact, geographic tongue is nothing complicated and it is simply a tongue that is full of numerous grooves and fissures. This means that you tongue won't be smooth and is allowing anaerobic bacteria to reside and grow in it. One of the most common causes of bad breath is due to anaerobic bacteria which is usually hard to be detected by most people. However, you can try checking if you do suffer from geographic tongue by simply looking at your tongue in the mirror. If your tongue is covered in white for most of the middle portion, then you are probably suffering from geographic tongue. This is why you have bad breath.

If you look at your tongue in the mirror and detect a white coating on tongue, particularly in the middle, then you may want to scrape and smell it, as it may be what causes bad breath for you.

The following are some effective steps on how to scrape and clean your tongue the proper way. Always bear in mind that, scraping your tongue doesn't mean you have to scrub it as hard as you can. If you do that, it will only make your tongue bleed and this is not a smart choice to do. In addition, I also wouldn't suggest you to stop brushing or flossing your teeth. Just relying on scraping your tongue is not enough. You still need to brush and floss your teeth to help fight bad breath. Never invest too much on a tongue cleaner as a simple one that is firm and sturdy will be able to do the job.

The correct way to scrape a white coated tongue:

* Take it slowly by sweeping from the back of your tongue to the front using your tongue cleaner. Then do this from the left to the right.

* Next, put some oxygenating toothpaste onto the head of your tongue cleaner.

* Using the tongue cleaner, apply the gel on your entire tongue, as far as you can at the back without gagging. This will help stop halitosis causes such as anaerobic bacteria from forming particularly at the back of your mouth.

* After applying the toothpaste coating on your tongue, you should leave it there for around 90 seconds. You can feel free to spit it out if you start to gaggle. This step is to help you get rid of the causes of bad breath completely.

* Finally, you can start to brush your teeth as normal.

Finding out what causes bad breath, such as the white tongue, is helpful in allowing you to diagnose yourself properly so that you can get the right treatment. - 29879

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Looking to find out what are those white coating on tongue, then visit www.killerbadbreath.com to find the best advice on how to stop bad breath for you.