Ask Our Hygienist
Holly Asks:
"My husband grinds his teeth at night, it keeps me awake and it's driving me crazy. His dentist wants him to get a 'night guard' to stop the grinding, but he doesn't think it's worth it. What do you think?"
Dear Sleepless in Alpine,
Most people are not aware that they grind their teeth during sleep until they keep a partner awake. Grinding at night is actually a sleeping disorder, called bruxism and it can lead to a number of problems including the loss of teeth. Even light grinding can wear down the tooth enamel and cause damage to any porcelain restorations. Bruxism can also cause another condition called temporomandibular joint disease better known as TMJ. TMJ occurs when the muscles, joints and ligaments of the jaw move out of alignment and it can lead to symptoms such as headaches, earache and even pain in the face, neck or shoulder.
Though it's true that a number of Americans grind their teeth during periods of stress, in anger or exercising, chronic grinders- those that suffer from bruxism at least once a week-could eventually pay the price. Not only can it lead to the ailments I've mentioned, but it can result in sleepiness and headaches as well.
Research has also discovered that people, who brux are more likely to snore, suffer from breathing pauses during sleep and be victim's of sleep apnea. As is the case in many sleeping problems, stress is a major cause. Surprisingly the use of tobacco, alcohol or caffeine tends to aggravate the problem. All age groups and genders are susceptible to bruxism, even children, though most cases occur amongst those between the ages of 19-44.
Dentists usually advise those with severe cases to be fitted with a custom fit mouth guard or night guard. Not only are they much more comfortable than those bought over a counter, they are also stronger and fit properly. People with less severe cases can sometimes benefit from trying to alleviate their stress level, discontinuing the use of tobacco, heavy drinking and caffeine. Since your husband is keeping you up at night his case probably falls into the more severe cases and is the reason his dentist recommended the night guard. Take his advice and you will both sleep better at night.
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Josie Asks:
"I was interested in oral sedation, my girlfriend goes to you for her cleanings and she told me Dr. Singer does the pill sedation. How does it work?"
Dear Josie,
Sedation dentistry is great, but oral sedation has become a blessing to many people, especially if you are afraid of needles. You will take one pill an hour before you appointment, and we will monitor and perhaps give you another pill while you are relaxing in a comfortable room. Your companion can stay while you have your treatment or come back to take you home once you have finished. You'll be sedated just enough to be unaware of the treatment, as if you were snoozing Most patients wake up, with little or no memory of what was accomplished. Because you are completely comfortable, we can do years of dental treatments in one or two visits. We can repair broken teeth, restore gums (periodontal treatment) to good health, cosmetic dentistry, fillings and root canals anything that can be done without sedation can now be done with sedation. Not only can fearful patient benefit from oral sedation but people with very busy schedule can get the dental care they need, easily and quickly. The first thing you should do is schedule a visit with a dentist that is certified in oral sedation, make sure you feel comfortable, not only with him but with his team and the office environment.
I hope I've been able to help, and if you have any further questions don't hesitate to contact us. We'll be happy to send you a special packet of information regarding oral sedation and how our practice can help you.
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Laura Asks:
"I've always wanted to do something about my teeth and heard about veneers. They sound really promising but I'm a bit concerned about having my teeth ground down for them. My teeth are not very attractive but they are healthy. Can veneers damage my teeth? Is it worth it?"
Laura,
It seems that you have come to the all too familiar cosmetic fork in the road. One road is the road to a beautiful smile, the smile that you have always wanted to have but nature did not provide. It is the path that will have you laughing with your friends and your family, without being embarrassed to show off your teeth. A beautiful smile can make you feel wonderful, and for those around you, a smile can be quite contagious.
The other path is where your teeth's integrity is intact, strong, and healthy. However, if you follow that road you'll realize that it merges with the other road. Why? Because the amount of tooth structure removed to place a veneer is minimal. We replace only what we take away, therefore, you have the cosmetic enhancement you've always dreamed of without compromising the teeth's integrity. Veneers are strong, and when done correctly, can last a lifetime.
Now, there is currently a new type of veneer being used that can be placed on your teeth without removing enamel. This may sound wonderful, but be aware; there is a down side these veneers can look very bulky, opaque, and quite unnatural.
Your best bet is to find an excellent cosmetic dentist (like Dr. Joel D. Singer D.M.D) and schedule a consultation. The dentist can explain the procedures for you in detail using visual aids (video and models) which can help you make an educated decision. Good luck!
Wishing you a lifetime of smiles...
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Breanna Asks:
"I recently started using the over the counter whitening strips again. They never gave me a problem before but I accidentally fell asleep with them on. Now my teeth are VERY sensitive. Will this go away? Is this bad? Is there anything I can do for the pain in the mean time?"
Breanna,
Sensitivity due to whitening is very common. Teeth, contrary to their appearance are very porous. It's within these pores that stain can become trapped through the years due to ones daily habits i.e. smoking, red wine, dark fruit juices, coffee, etc. The tooth whitening process unclogs those pores, using a Peroxide based solution, thus revealing a brighter smile. O.K. now the down side Breanna. The Peroxide based solution has a low PH, which means that it is quite acidic, so when these little pores are unclogged after such a long time, it can be quite a shock. Manufacturers of whitening products give us their recommended guidelines for usage, for example... apply twice daily for half an hour, or overnight. These guidelines are usually dependent on the percentage of peroxide in the product. For "over the counter" whitening products, the higher the concentration, the shorter the interval on the teeth should be. In your case, you left them on over night (a very common mistake of the sleep deprived). You didn't give your teeth a chance to gradually get used to the changes. But don't fret, this is a temporary thing. Discontinue the use of the white strips for now, and start brushing with toothpaste for sensitive teeth i.e. Sensodyne, or Colgate Sensitive. The paste may take about two weeks to kick in, but stay on it until you are done with the whitening. When your sensitivity is gone completely, wait another week to start whitening again. You may still get a bit sensitive during the whitening process, but if you follow the manufactures directions you should be fine. If the pain is severe, consult your Dentist or Dental Hygienist, you may have dental recession or wear at the gum line, which can make whitening unbearable, consequently making you a perfect candidate for in office whitening, such as Zoom or Brite Smile. In office whitening uses special materials to protect vulnerable areas of affected teeth acting as a barrier to the whitening process.
Hope I was helpful, thanks for your great question, and good luck on your quest for a beautiful smile.
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Amanda asks:
"Is it true Cold Sores and Fever Blisters can cause the genital form of herpes?"
Yes, Amanda it is true. Seventy percent of the population is infected by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1), better known as cold sores and fever blisters. By the age of twelve, one third of the population in the USA suffers from recurrent cold sores. The cold sore virus is highly contagious, easily spreading to others, including children.
Before a lesion appears on the lip (may also appear on face, eyes, and head), one may feel a burning, itching, or slight stinging sensation. Once these symptoms begin, a lesion will usually appear within hours to a day in which the virus is at its most contagious. Something as simple as a peck on the lips or sharing a drink can spread the HSV-1 to someone else. How often do you share drinks?
As far as Genital Herpes (HSV-2) is concerned, the transmission is through oral/genital contact. Someone with active HSV-1 engaging in oral/genital contact with a partner can give them the genital form of herpes. What most people are not aware of is that it is even possible to infect ourselves. It can be as simple as using the same washcloth on ones face with the active lesions and then using the same cloth throughout the body. Scary isn't it?
HSV-2 is on the rise, especially among adolescents, who may not see oral/genital contact as a vehicle in spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STD). This is where parents and healthcare providers must work as a team in informing young adults to the risks.
Because of the sensitivity involved in speaking with their children about STD's, parents appreciate the candor we use in discussing this subject. My teen patients find it amusing and probably embarrassed at how frank I am with them on this subject. However, they leave my chair with a clear understanding of the severity of this potentially life altering virus.
Next time you feel a cold sore or fever blister waiting to raise it's ugly head speak to your dentist or medical doctor. They will be able to prescribe a topical medication which if applied when symptoms first appear, can expedite the healing time and reduce the discomfort.
Thank you for your question, I know that adults and teens alike will be grateful to have some of the myths involved with herpes and it's spread clarified.
And please, I know how sensitive this subject can be but remember, cold and flu season is almost here and our immune systems challenged. Old reliable herpes simplex 1 likes to make it's debut around this time of year. Do your part and help educate your friends and family about HSV-1 and HSV-2 . Remember, education is always the best defense.
Have a question? Send an email to drsinger@singerdentist.com.
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