A common cause for teeth grinding is stress or anxiety. In today's fast-paced world, there's more stress than ever before. You might unconsciously clench your jaw and grind your teeth.
When this reaction is irregular, there's no real need to worry. Serious treatment isn't necessary because it's more of a harmless habit. People who're diagnosed with anxiety, however, may experience a different scenario.
People who're constantly stressed out might find themselves with clenched jaws every day. The teeth cannot deal with that much force on the enamel. A prevention plan must be put into action. Ask your dentist how you can prevent teeth grinding. A common, non-invasive solution might be using a mouth guard, but it's always best to check with your dentist first to ensure the teeth grinding is not related to something more severe.
If you're noticing symptoms that point to teeth grinding, you may have an ailment called Bruxism. This term simply defines the activity of grinding your teeth as a real disease. You may not even notice that you're clenching your jaw in the first place. For this reason, people who find themselves in this predicament should seek out treatment.
The average person with Bruxism will clench the jaw throughout the day. It's an entirely involuntary action. Researchers are still trying to narrow down how or why this ailment occurs. At this point, the ailment is being considered as both a genetic and psychological phenomena.
It's not unheard of for Bruxism-related symptoms to spill over into the evening hours. People who clench their jaw during the night have a different form of this disease. The symptoms of grinding the jaw are the same, but they occur as you sleep.
Most professionals see this ailment as a sleep-related disorder. It's researched alongside sleep apnea and other issues. Nighttime grinding can go unnoticed until the teeth have significant damage. With enamel breaking down, the teeth can slowly wear down with chips and cracks in severe cases.
Prevention is the key to a healthy smile once again. The side effects to continual grinding are significant. The jaw becomes tender and delicate as you try to chew food. Your teeth chip, crack and possibly fall out.
Your jawbone and facial structure also suffer. The bones may have damage that requires surgery or other procedure. Teeth grinding isn't an ailment that can be ignored, especially if it's a regular habit. The side effects are subtle and slow going, but they will cause permanent damage without professional help or advice from your dentist.
Your Local Dentist Can Help!
When your teeth grinding continues to be a problem, don't hesitate to seek out a professional's opinion. Contact 3V Dental today to talk to one of our dentists and get the treatment that's right for you. Our professional team can spot dental problems from a mile away, so don't hesitate to schedule your appointment if your teeth grinding is becoming a concern.
Be proactive about your attention to teeth grinding. If you notice a loved one with a similar issue, make them aware of the activity. Teeth can withstand a lot of pressure, but they aren't immune to damage. Taking care of the cause of this ailment will solve many problems associated with it. A bright smile can be yours once again.
Regular dental visits are important for your child's dental health and overall health. However, the fear of dentists can make an office visit very unpleasant. It is estimated that 20 percent of children suffer from dental anxiety. The good news is that there are things that you can do in order to ease your child's anxiety.
Many children are scared because they do not know what to expect. That is why it is a good idea to talk to your child before you take them to the dentist. You should let them know what to expect one week ahead of time. You do not want to wait until the last minute because this can worsen fears.
All dentists are trained to work with patients of all ages. Pediatric dentists only work with patients who are under the age of 18. They complete an additional two years of training after they finish dental school. They know how to manage the fears in young patients. They can also design their office to make more kid-friendly.
The earlier a youngster is taken to the dental office, the easier it will be for them to adjust to the environment. There are several benefits that can be reaped from the taking your child to the dental office early. This not only helps them get used to the environment, but it can also help catch problems early.
You can help your child's anxiety by helping them relax. There are several things that you can do in order to help them relax. You can encourage them to take deep breaths. Deep breathing helps instantly alleviate stress. Progressive muscle relaxation is another remedy that can be used in order to ease stress in the dental office.
This is something that can be done in the chair at the office. Your youngster will need to close their eyes and slowly relax all of the tense parts of the body. Not only can progressive relaxation be done at the office, but it can also be done at home.
Most children respond well to positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement can help in several ways. It can show a youngster that the dentist's office is not a place that they have to fear. It can also show a youngster that if they are on their best behavior while at the dentist's office, then they can expect a reward.
You can give your youngster stickers, tattoos and baseball cards. You can also set up a token system. When your youngster gets a certain number of tokens, you can take them to get a reward.
Distracting your youngster can take their mind off of being at the dentist's office. You can distract them with their favorite toy. You can also ask the dentist if they can bring a tablet in.
The pain is what scares most youngsters the most about going to the dentist's office. Dental visits are pain-free most of the time. However, you should not tell your youngster that they will not have pain. If they happen to have pain during the exam and cleaning, then this may make them even more afraid to go to the dentist.
It may be tempting to talk in order to calm your youngster down. However, you should let the dental professional do most of the talking. They can also help calm your youngster down.
We often think of brushing teeth and flossing as an essential routine for cosmetic reasons. However, we often overlook the care of our gums. Is taking care of gums different than caring for our teeth? If so, how do we maintain healthy gums? At 3V Dental we pride ourselves on oral health care, and love to share easy, helpful information that might help improve your oral health. Below are some easy tips, from our Port Washington Dental Team, to follow for improved gum health!
There are definitely substances that can increase your risk of gingivitis, even with regular dental visits and cleanings. For example, sugar can contribute to poor oral health. This is because the bacteria that help form plaque love sugar. Reducing the amount of sugar you consume will greatly improve your oral health in a natural way. Another important fact to consider is that tobacco consumption greatly increases your risk of gum disease. Ceasing tobacco use will make oral care easier and have the added benefit of cosmetic improvements.
You can't expect to have healthy gums if you aren't making a concerted effort to remove plaque. The truth is that our mouths are the perfect environment for many bacteria to thrive in. They are at a warm temperature and have foods, like sugar, that bacteria can feed off of. This is precisely why we're always preached to about brushing and flossing. Brushing twice a day will certainly help you to keep a clean mouth but if you're able to brush after every meal or after consuming harmful substances, it will help even more. Many people admit to skipping the flossing part of their daily routine because it can be a bit more time consuming. However, if you aren't flossing your teeth on a daily basis, you're allowing bacteria to settle in the crevices of your teeth. Ultimately, this will deteriorate the health of your mouth by causing cavities or gingivitis.
Many people also benefit from the daily use of an oral rinse. These can be helpful because they can reach additional areas you may have missed and break down bacteria that may be opportunistically hiding. You should always consult your dentist for personalized recommendations about oral care products because sensitivity level, bone health, and implants should all be considered. In general, most dentists will recommend a toothpaste with fluoride because they will be the most effective in eliminating bacteria.
You may pride yourself on how well you maintain your oral care routine at home. You may brush, floss, and rinse like clockwork and never have suffered a cavity. It is still critical that you maintain a routine with your 3V dentist for a cleaning though. With the latest technology, and dental equipment, our dentists can approach your mouth from an outside perspective. This allows them to achieve a deeper clean than even a flawless routine can achieve. Did you know that 3V Dental also offers non-surgical gum treatments? For more information, see here.
The consumption of vitamin C can help you to prevent disease. Most people are aware that vitamin C can help you fight minor illnesses like the common cold by boosting your immune system. It works pretty much the same way for oral health. The healthier your gums are to begin with and the more prepared the immune system is, the better it will be at combating bacteria. Vitamin C also strengthens soft tissue, which is what largely what your mouth is made of. It is important to note that if you're between appointments and are concerned about infection, check the area for redness, swelling, tenderness, and test the attachment to the teeth. These can all be warning signs of infection.
Gum health should be important to you and your family, so take pride in understanding the factors that may affect your gums and oral hygiene. Be sure to schedule a yearly visit to our Port Washington dental office at minimum for healthy teeth and gums!
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If you're like me, you probably take your tongue's color for granted. We have an image of what a tongue should look like, but what happens when your tongue's color or texture is no longer in-line with what you THINK it should be? There are actually many health conditions that can affect the look and feel of your tongue. So if you tongue is not a healthy looking pink, say "ahhhh" in the mirror and take some notes. You may be able to spot an illness or medical condition based on what you see in the mirror! At 3V Dental we take dental and oral health care very serious. If you have any questions about your oral or tongue's health, contact us today to schedule an appointment!
If you can't remove the white coating from your tongue with frequent brushing of your teeth or by rinsing your mouth, then the papillae on the tongue are likely contaminated with bacteria. This bacterial overgrowth is a buildup that occurs between the papillae of your tongue, and it is often difficult to remove. To remove this debris, you should use an antibacterial mouthwash and a tongue scraper several times a day.
What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Black?
When you notice a black hairy growth on your tongue, it is likely caused by yeast or bacteria on your tongue. The papillae on your tongue can become contaminated and irritated, causing the taste buds to lengthen and grow rather than shedding from the tongue's surface. It is important to take medication for this condition so that the bacteria and yeast don't infect your mouth's gum tissue or alveolar bones. If you notice that your tongue is black, contact our dental office today to schedule a consultation.
What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Red?
You can develop a red tongue from eating or drinking certain types of foods or beverages, but this condition can also occur from chronic inflammation inside your mouth or throat. The antibiotic treatment to cure strep throat can also make your tongue's surface turn red. If you have white patches on top of an inflamed tongue, then you probably have oral thrush. To eliminate a yeast infection, you will need specialized medication to destroy the fungus.
What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Bumpy?
If you have a bumpy tongue, then something is irritating your mouth, causing an allergic reaction. Alternatively, you may have burned your tongue with a hot beverage or a spicy food, and the papillae on the tongue's surface can swell and become tender. In most cases, the bumps will disappear within a few days, but occasionally, bumps on the tongue can indicate that you have cancer inside your mouth. However, before thinking the worst, contact our Port Washington office today to speak with an oral care consultant.
What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Coated?
A coated tongue will have a pale surface from an overgrowth of bacteria or because the papillae on the surface of your tongue are inflamed. You might have a coating on your tongue when you have a severe sore throat that is frequently caused by streptococcal bacteria. This coating on your tongue causes a foul and distinctive odor that is repellent. You will probably have a bad taste in your mouth when you have a coated tongue.
What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Fuzzy?
When your tongue feels fuzzy, you may want to visit a dentist for a professional teeth-cleaning procedure. The debris that collects on your tongue is made from dead skin cells, bacteria and food particles, and if your tongue has fuzziness, then it indicates that you aren't brushing and flossing enough. Not only should you have your teeth cleaned to remove the bacteria, but also, you need to buy a plastic tongue scraper to keep your tongue cleaner.
What Does It Mean When Your Tongue Is Wrinkled?
During your examination for gum disease or cavities, a dentist can determine if you have a scrotal-type of tongue condition that causes deep fissures that makes it look wrinkly. Seeing a wrinkled tongue is one of the signs of having a serious infection in the mouth or body. It is also a symptom of having severe malnutrition that can affect the health of your alveolar bones, gum tissue or teeth. In most cases, this tongue condition is painless in the beginning, but it indicates that you must improve your daily diet to boost your immune system.
In honor of Father's Day and the amazing people you are, 3V Dental Associates would like to offer you a fabulous ZOOM! Teeth Whitening Special! Call today, make your appointment for any day in June, and receive your bleaching treatment for $349! That's it!
Appointments book up fast so give us a call today at 516-944-7000!
Port Washington, New York – April 12, 2018 – 3V Dental Associates, a general and cosmetic dentist in Port Washington, NY offers free oral cancer screenings during the month of April to build awareness during Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week.
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week runs from April 8 through April 15, but 3V Dental Associates plans to offer screenings for the entire month of April. The offer is open to existing patients, as well as new patients. To take advantage of the offer simply mention this press release.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, approximately 49,750 people in the U.S. will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer this year. 132 new people in the U.S. every day will be newly diagnosed with oral cancer, and that one person every hour of the day will die from oral cancer. While smoking and tobacco use are still major risk factors, the fastest growing segment of oral cancer patients is young, healthy, nonsmoking individuals due to the connection to the HPV virus.
3V Dental Associates serves patients in all of Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and New York City, and their dentistry practice has been a fixture of Port Washington for over 15 years. The practice offers many services from check-ups and cleanings to fillings and dentures. 3V Dental Associates also provides cosmetic dental services such as Invisalign® and veneers.
To schedule your oral cancer screening, contact 3V Dental Associates today at (516) 944-7000 or visit the website 3VDental.com.
Maintaining healthy gums is not only paramount to exhibiting aesthetically-pleasing personal qualities such as a nice smile but also may have far reaching consequences in determining an individual's overall health and well-being in both the near and distant future. This short article will highlight several ways in which the gums can impact general bodily health. Remember, our Port Washington dentist office specializes in oral care and gum health. Be sure to schedule your annual checkup with one of our dentists today for a full screening on gum health!
Failure to regularly perform oral care maintenance actions like tooth brushing, utilizing floss to remove food and other particles that may collect between the teeth and receiving regular and thorough dental and periodontal checkups can precipitate two types of gum infections known respectively as gingivitis and periodontitis. Though considered a mild oral malady, gingivitis can elicit several bothersome symptoms such as gums that are swollen, red, sensitive and easily susceptible to bleeding. Should this disease not be adequately managed, it could be the harbinger of the more serious oral ailment periodontitis, which precipitates more painful manifestations of the symptoms associated with gingivitis and can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Should gum disease progress, a stricken individual might notice pain while eating and drinking or may find performing actions like chewing difficult. In instances where he or she has experienced a significant degree of tooth loss, consuming certain foods altogether might be challenging. Prolonged eating challenges might precipitate problems that could one day manifest in a host of nutritional deficiencies and other diseases.
People with gum disease often have an increased concentration of bacteria circulating throughout their mouths. In some cases, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems, this bacteria can spread beyond the mouth, enter the bloodstream and potentially cause infection to a vital organ or bodily region.
Scientific studies conducted have shown the bacteria that enters the bloodstream via the oral route may also precipitate inflammation, or swelling in the areas of the body in which it collects. One region these microbial organisms are believed to collect is in and around the blood vessels in the heart. Eventually, this process could lead to atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries, which may contribute to heart attacks and interrupted circulation.
Other scientific research has concluded that uncontrolled blood sugar may lead to oral maladies. Diabetes typically causes a thickening of the blood vessels which can result in a decrease in the body's ability to eliminate waste products such as the plaque and bacteria that builds up on teeth.
Poor oral care is also believed to potentially contribute to other medical conditions such as premature birth, respiratory ailments, and low birth-weight in infants born to stricken mothers.
The best way to avoid oral maladies is to devote significant attention to maintaining oral care. Most dentists recommend brushing of the teeth at least several times per day and flossing after each meal. In addition, dentists and periodontists recommend that their patients receive routine oral and periodontal checkups. However, should any significant dental or periodontal malady develop, patients might need to prevent the spread of such ailments by undergoing more aggressive forms of non-surgical gum treatments such as gum laser treatments.
How to Avoid Those Pesky Coffee and Tea Stains!
For many people coffee and tea are as essential as the air we breath. Their mornings just cannot start without a little zip from the caffeine. As wonderful as these drinks make us feel, our teeth don't enjoy them quite as much as we do. If consumed often enough, coffee and tea can leave stains on your teeth making them look dull and dirty. Fortunately there are ways to maintain your pearly whites without sacrificing your favorite caffeinated beverages! Below are some tips from our Port Washington Dental Team to help keep your teeth pearly white!
This may sound like a no-brainer, but dentists confirm that brushing your teeth immediately after you drink coffee or tea can help reduce stains tremendously. You should brush before and after your morning beverage of choice, and again in the afternoon if you decide to imbibe. Use a toothpaste that is designed to whiten your teeth. The more often you brush, the better chance you have at keeping your teeth sparkly white.
Let's be clear here, this advice should only be followed if you are drinking a cold beverage. Do NOT drink warm beverages through a straw as you run the risk of burning your throat. If you drink iced beverages through a straw, your teeth don't have as much contact with the liquids, and reduces your chances of staining. Combine this tip with regular brushing for extra protection.
Chasing your favorite caffeinated beverage with a big old glass of water can help keep your teeth looking their best. Drinking water immediately after consuming your latte can help rinse away the compounds in these popular caffeinated beverages that discolor your teeth. If you don't have access to your tooth brush after drinking that afternoon latte, keep a small bottle of mouth wash with you.
Keeping up with regular teeth cleanings will help keep your teeth white as snow. You should strive to follow your dentist's advice and floss your teeth as often as you can. Practicing good oral hygiene is important to making sure your mouth is as healthy as possible, and a bright white smile is a happy by-product of that!
If the stains get out of hand, talk to your dentist about having a cosmetic teeth whitening procedure. Our team of wonderful dentists can help you decide if this procedure is right for you. Teeth whitening is a safe and painless process. Your dentist will use a special type of bleach that is designed to get rid of those pesky dark spots. The procedure is relatively quick and you can expect to be in and out of our office within a couple of hours!
We can also help you decide if at-home whitening trays are a good option for you. These trays will produce good results, but take much longer than in-office procedures. Whichever option you chose, remember that it is very possible to have a dazzling smile without giving up your daily caramel macchiato!