Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

How to Kick a Tooth Grinding Habit

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Categories: Cosmetic dentistry, Dental Implants, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

how to kick a tooth grinding habit Fort Collins

Plenty of individuals all over the world suffer from the habit of grinding their teeth. Some men and women grind their teeth because they are stressed, some people grind their teeth as a coping mechanism, and some individuals grind their teeth in their sleep without realizing it.

Don’t Ignore Teeth Grinding

Grinding of the teeth, clenching of the jaw, or gnashing of the teeth is known as bruxism. Bruxism can occur consciously or unconsciously both during the day and at night. No matter when or why you grind your teeth, it can be harmful to both your oral health and overall physical health.

Let’s talk about it.

Possible Causes of  Teeth Grinding

Some reasons individuals might grind their teeth are:

  • Caffeine consumption
  • Sleep apnea
  • Acid reflux
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Hyperactivity
  • Certain medications

Tooth Grinding Can Cause Serious Dental Problems

The consequences of tooth grinding can include:

  • Tooth pain
  • Jaw pain
  • Loss of tooth enamel or worn-down teeth
  • Increased tooth sensitivity
  • Earaches
  • Broken braces or retainers due to excessive tooth grinding, often at nighttime

Sometimes it is difficult to know if you are grinding your teeth during the night. The main giveaways are if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. One of the most prevalent and effective ways to quit nighttime teeth grinding is to wear a mouthguard while you sleep.

While there are a variety of reasons for tooth grinding, they can all lead to the same dangerous consequences if left untreated. It’s to seek guidance from a dentist or orthodontist. You might have a dental impairment that can cause or complicate your grinding.

How Do You Treat Tooth Grinding?

Some teeth grinders can successfully overcome this condition on their own. Most people, however, need professional help from a doctor or dentist.

Ways to treat tooth grinding include:

  • Use a custom mouthguard, especially for nighttime tooth grinders
  • Ask your dentist about a habit appliance (especially for children)
  • Avoid caffeine in both food and drinks
  • Learn to manage your stress, depression, anxiety, or hyperactivity
  • Seek counseling

If you are unable to kick the habit of tooth grinding, it is a good idea to consult a professional. doctor Lesko at The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry is available for consultations about tooth grinding.

 

 

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

 

ArticleID 8442

Aching Jaw?

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Categories: Dental health, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Aching Jaw In Fort Collins?

In this blog post from The Fort Collins Dentist, we are going to look at some of the conditions that may result in jaw pain.

The jaw joint is a complex structure. Its made up of muscles, tendons, and bones, which enable us to bite, grind, and chew. Jaw pain is common, and may result from any number of things.

Jaw pain may be caused by sinusitis. Sinusitis is the inflammation of the tissues that line your sinuses, and when these tissues are inflamed, the sinuses exert pressure on surrounding areas. If the inflamed sinus is near the jaw, pain in the jaw joint may result. This commonly happens with a cold or allergies.

Injury or trauma to the jaw can also lead to recurrent, ongoing pain. It may be on one or both sides of the face, pain may come and go, or only occur when  chewing.

Jaw pain may be broadly categorized as temporomandibular joint disorder, usually shortened to TMJ or TMD. We can help identify what’s going on and treatment can begin from there. But remember, jaw pain shouldn’t be ignored.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, our patients come from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor for TMJ/TMD treatment, family dentistry, and many other services. Please call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 4025

3 Signs It’s Time for a Dental Checkup

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Categories: Oral Health, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

When you begin to feel something is amiss in your mouth, it’s probably due to an underlying issue and it may be time to get help ASAP!

You shouldn’t wait and hope it will go away on its own as it could turn into something much more serious. Most times, it’s very much advantageous to tackle the problem at the earliest possible stages. Here are three signs it’s time to schedule a dental checkup right away:

1. Dry mouth

We all have experienced this “cotton mouth” feeling at some point. However, a chronic dry mouth is a more serious condition that, when left untreated, can have consequences.

Dry mouth was by far the most commonly reported oral ailment in a recent survey conducted by the American Dental Association of 15,000 adults in the United States. Dry mouth was especially reported by older people. In cases like this, the salivary glands are usually unable to produce enough saliva to fight mouth diseases and neutralize mouth acids.

This condition at times can be caused by changes in medications as well as some other systemic conditions. You should seek treatment as soon as possible so you don’t put yourself at the mercy of tooth decay or periodontal disease. If you feel like your mouth feels abnormally dry on a regular basis, talk to your dentist and book a dental checkup right away.

2. Tooth pain

About one-third of the people surveyed by the ADA pointed out tooth pain as their greatest oral problem. Most times, this is caused by an abscessed gum, a decayed tooth or similar conditions.

This won’t go away on its own, and in most cases delaying treatment may complicate things even further as well. If your tooth suddenly begins to cause pain, consider getting a dental checkup immediately.

3. Chewing difficulty

If you’re finding it difficult to bite and chew, you’re not alone. Many of the ADA survey respondents revealed this as a major dental problem.

Like the case with tooth pain, chewing difficulty could be caused by a decayed tooth, a cracked or loose tooth, as well as the jaw joint disorder temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJD/TMD.

TMJD can make it quite difficult for sufferers to bite and chew, which can also impact nutrition.

Regular dental checkups have huge benefits. Many times, your dentist may be able to identify problems before they even manifest or become a more serious problem.

If you have any of these oral health issues affecting your comfort, make an appointment right away for a proper dental checkup. You can schedule a visit or contact us today at 970-221-5115 for more information.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

TMJ Disorder? Avoid These Foods

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Categories: Oral Health, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Clicking, popping and stiffness. Headaches, backaches and tinnitus. Soreness and an immovable jaw. These are the signs of the debilitating condition temporomandibular joint disorder, and believe it or not, what you do and don’t eat can make the symptoms feel a whole lot worse.

Whether you are one of the estimated millions of sufferers of temporomandibular joint disorder or you just experience occasional jaw stiffness or soreness, here are a few foods you may want to consider avoiding to help alleviate jaw pain.

Jerky

With the popularity of low-carb and Keto diets, jerky is making a comeback in a big way. But unfortunately, tearing that dehydrated meat with your teeth is a recipe for disaster when it comes to temporomandibular joint disorder. If you’ve been indulging in this high-protein treat and are experiencing increased jaw pain or temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms, it may be time to put the jerky on hold for a while and find an easier-to-chew snack.

Gummies

Gum drops, gummy bears, gummy worms, fruit snacks – they all have different names, but when it comes to consuming these sweet treats, the effect on your temporomandibular joint disorder is usually the same. Because of the chewy nature of these snacks, they can really worsen jaw pain, even if they don’t seem like they are hurting you at the time of consumption. If you have temporomandibular joint disorder or jaw pain, pass on the gummies and stick to fresh fruits instead.

Chips and Pretzels

Sure, they’re a delicious way to kick a salt craving, but chips and pretzels can often be a bit too crunchy for some jaws – especially those with TMJ disorder or general soreness. If you really want to crush that crunch craving, stick to something softer like celery or crackers.

Carrots

We feel bad advising you to avoid carrots, because these tasty little root veggies are so good for you. So we won’t flat-out suggest you avoid them all together. If your jaw is acting up and you still want carrots, try eating them steamed or opt for their softer counterpart, baby carrots – cut into small, bite-sized pieces.

Granola

While some varieties of granola can be very soft, other kinds can be really crunchy – and really tough on your temporomandibular joint. If you are experiencing jaw pain and can’t quit your granola habit, try mixing it with milk or yogurt to soften it up. You’ll get the same great taste but without the jaw workout.

To learn more ways to better manage your temporomandibular joint disorder, please call Dr. Allison Lesko’s office at 970-221-5115.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526