Recently, I went to the dentist and she told me that I grind my teeth. I wasn’t even aware of this and she said that the damage was only minimal, but I decided to find out more information about this.

Teeth grinding, medically referred to as bruxism, is the gnashing or clenching of teeth and can affect both children and adults. People who grind their teeth may unconsciously clench their teeth throughout the day, usually when they are feeling anxious or tense.

Tooth grinding or clenching that during the night is referred to as sleep bruxism. Children with teeth grinding problems usually grind their teeth at night, while adults may grind either during the day or at night. Normally, bruxism is mild and doesn’t require remedies or treatment. If teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis it can lead to jaw problems, damage to teeth, headaches and other issues. Those with sleep bruxism may not even be aware of the issue until diagnosed by a doctor or dentist.

Teeth Grinding Symptoms

Some signs and symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Headache or sore jaw (a telltale symptom), there may be pain or tightness in your jaw muscles
• Constant or chronic facial pain
• Tooth sensitivity
• Condition of teeth changes—they are worn, flattened or chipped
• Tooth enamel is worn and the inside of your tooth is exposed
• Chewed soft tissue on the inside of your cheek
• Teeth grinding or clenching is loud enough to wake your sleep partner
• Earache due to jaw muscle contractions

Teeth Grinding Causes

There are many possible causes of teeth grinding. Research has shown that a dietary lack of pantothenic acid (or B-5) can affect motor activity. A calcium deficiency may cause involuntary muscle spasms or muscle cramps.

Parasites such as pinworms, can cause teeth grinding. A stool analysis can determine if you have parasites and an herbal cleanse can help to rid the body of parasites.

It’s also thought that some people with bruxism have problems dealing with anger. These people internalize their anger rather than releasing it or dealing with it.

Teeth Grinding Home Remedies and Tips

Reduce teeth grinding with the following tips:

Make sure that your dental work and appliances aren’t out of alignment because this may lead to grinding issues.

Your dentist may suggest a custom-fitted mouth guard that you can wear while you sleep. You could also try a mouth guard from your local drugstore, but the custom made guards will provide more comfort.

Limit your daily intake of caffeine and alcohol.

Sleep on your back to reduce stress. Sleeping on your side or your stomach could increase your chances to teething grinding.

Check your prescription medications to find out if bruxism is a side effect. Consult your doctor for more information about medication that can counteract teeth grinding.

Before bedtime try the following:

• Use a warm washcloth around your jaw and neck for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help relax tight muscles.
• Chew on an apple, carrot or cauliflower to calm your mouth and prevent grinding.
• If you can’t sleep on your back, try placing a contoured pillow under your face and a regular pillow between your arms. This sleep position reduces jaw and neck strain and stops you from rolling over onto your face.

Supplements

To help alleviate your teeth grinding, try taking supplements or eating foods rich in pantothenic acid and calcium.

• Pantothenic acid (B-5) can be found in multivitamins and should be taken on a daily basis.
• Calcium supplements will help to relax your muscles, so you may want to take calcium before you go to bed.
• Magnesium also helps to relax your muscles and prevent leg cramps. Take 4-500 mg of magnesium before bed.
• Lavender oil—mix 4 drops of lavender essential oil in a teaspoon of almond or olive oil and massage into your jaw and upper neck. You can also try lavender tea.
• Valerian root oil—mix 4 drops of valerian essential oil in a teaspoon of almond or olive oil and massage in onto your jaw and upper neck. You can also try valerian tea.

—Nolan

Do you have any home remedies for teeth grinding? Comment and tell us!

Share this post!

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex, confusing condition which causes a burning pain in the mouth on the tongue, lips, or all over the mouth. There isn’t an obvious explanation for the pain.

Menopause, psychological problems, nutritional deficiencies and disorders of the mouth (oral thrush and dry mouth) are other conditions BMS has long been associated with. Dysfunctional or damaged nerves may be a cause as some researchers suggest, but the exact cause is extremely difficult to identify, and the pain may persist for months or years.

Signs and symptoms of BMS vary from person to person as does the underlying causes if they can be identified, so treatment is extremely specific to each individual. Symptoms of BMS can usually be controlled with personalized treatment plans.

BMS is also known as scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia and stomatodynia.

Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome

As stated above, the causes are intricate and numerous. The following list of possible causes may only apply to a fraction of BMS sufferers. Many may have multiple causes. Identifying a cause is important so that with your physician you can find a tailor made treatment plan for your syndrome. Possibilities of causes include:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Other oral conditions
• Psychological factors
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Irritating dentures
• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy)
• Allergies
• Reflux of stomach acid (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
• Medications
• Oral habits (teeth grinding or tongue thrusting)
• Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism)
• Hormonal imbalances (menopause)
• Excessive irritation (overuse of mouthwash, over brushing of teeth and gums, or acidic drinks)

Because of the variety of causes and the complexity of symptoms, doctors are sometimes unable to find a cause for burning mouth syndrome.

Symptoms of BMS

A burning sensation involving the tongue, gums, palate, throat, or the entire area of the mouth are the main symptoms of BMS. The sensation described by those with the syndrome is of the affected areas feeling like they have been burned with a hot liquid. Other symptoms may include:

• Dry mouth
• Sore mouth
• Tingling or numb sensation on the tip of the tongue or other affected areas of the mouth
• Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth

The degree of pain as well and the duration and intensity varies from person to person. Some have chronic pain daily while others wake without pain but find that it intensifies throughout the day. Still others feel pain off and on throughout the day and even experience an absence of pain.

Burning Mouth Syndrome affects women up to seven times more often as it does men. It may occur in younger people, but by and large occurs in middle-aged or older adults.

Treatments for BMS

Treatment triggers improvement in symptoms for most people with burning mouth syndrome. But the type of treatment depends on the underlying cause. The treatments are listed below along with the causes.

• Dry mouth (xerostomia). Treating the cause of your dry mouth — Sjogren’s syndrome, use of medications or some other cause — may relieve burning mouth symptoms. In addition, drinking more fluids or taking a medication that promotes flow of saliva may help.

• Other oral conditions. If the cause is oral thrush, treatment is with oral antifungal medications such as nystatin or fluconazole. If you wear dentures, your dentures may also need to be treated.

• Psychological factors. For a burning mouth that may be caused by or associated with psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, your doctor may recommend antidepressant therapy or psychiatric therapy or both together. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may cause less dry mouth than other antidepressant medications.

• Nutritional deficiencies. You may be able to correct nutritional deficiencies by taking supplements of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron.

• Irritating dentures. Your dentist may be able to adjust your dentures so they are less irritating to your mouth. If your dentures contain substances that irritate your oral tissues, you may need different dentures. You may also improve symptoms by practicing good denture care, such as removing dentures at night and cleaning them properly.

• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy). Your doctor may suggest medications that affect your nervous system and control pain, including benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, or anticonvulsants. For pain relief, your doctor may also suggest rinsing your mouth with water and capsaicin — the active ingredient in hot peppers, which also is called capsicum.

• Allergies. Avoiding foods that contain allergens that may irritate the tissues of your mouth may help.

• Certain medications. If a medication you’re taking is causing a burning mouth, using a substitute medication, if possible, may help.

• Oral habits. Tongue thrusting and teeth grinding (bruxism) can be helped with mouth guards, medications and relaxation techniques.

• Endocrine disorders. If a burning mouth is associated with conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, treating those conditions may improve your symptoms.

If doctors can’t identify the cause of your symptoms, they may still recommend trying oral thrush medications, B vitamins or antidepressants. These medications have proved effective in treating burning mouth syndrome.

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies for Burning Mouth Syndrome? Comment and share them with us!

Share this post!

I have been one of those unfortunate people who collected tartar like an adult even as a young child. Even with the excessive tartar build-up, as an intermittent smoker, coffee and tea drinker, my teeth remain fairly white. My parents get most of the credit for remaining diligent about regular visits to the dentist throughout my childhood, and making sure we used proper dental hygiene. We were also tortured with a lack of junk food as a regular part of our diet.

My siblings and I were entitled to two sandwich cookies a day with lunch, and maybe a bowl of ice cream for dessert after dinner. Holiday candies were doled out sparingly throughout the course of the year, but our Christmas stockings principally contained nuts and fruits with only a small amount of candy. Easter baskets contained only a few jelly beans, and even fewer chocolate or marshmallow treats. On Halloween, we thought we’d hit the jackpot—until our candy was poured into a community bag and disbursed at the discretion of Mom and Dad. So I owe the state of my fairly pearly whites primarily to my parents, hereditary factors included.

Why do Teeth Stain?

Teeth are protected by an outer protective coating called enamel. As enamel breaks down or erodes the underlying layer of yellowish dentin shows through. In addition, the same foods and drinks that stain our clothes if spilled on them also begin to seep into the weak enamel and stain our teeth.

Other stains are intrinsic; they stain from the inside out. Children who took certain antibiotics such as tetracycline or whose mothers took tetracycline while they were pregnant, may have intrinsic stains on their teeth. Silver fillings may also leach out and stain the surrounding teeth. Root canals are another cause of intrinsic stains. Tooth enamel naturally wears over time, so age is another factor that leads to yellowing of teeth as well as hereditary factors.

How to Prevent the Yellowing of Teeth

The best treatment for anything is prevention. Proper dental hygiene will help diminish the build-up of tartar which aids in the breakdown of dental enamel. Dental professionals recommend brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first one starts to break through the gums. This will get your child used to brushing at a very young age, and a positive habit will already be formed by the time long-term memory develops. Brushing every morning and every night is a must. Whenever possible, brushing after meals will go a long way to help reduce the amount of sugar in the mouth that may eat away at the enamel. When brushing after meals isn’t possible, rinse your mouth by swishing a swig of water and then swallowing. Floss in the morning and before you go to bed to remove any plaque that may collect between the teeth. Visits to the dentist should occur at least every six months for care and cleaning of the teeth.

Avoid:
• Drinking sodas, coffee and tea as rule
• Tobacco of any kind, including smokeless
• Candy and chocolate as a rule
• Foods made with refined sugars
• Laying your child down to sleep with a bottle. The liquid that isn’t swallowed if the child falls asleep with the bottle in his/her mouth will slowly erode the teeth, even before they have broken through the gums.

How to Treat Yellowing Teeth

Besides trips to the dentist and expensive dental bleaching processes, there are some things you can do at home to help whiten your teeth. Home remedies won’t be as effective if you continue to use tobacco and drink coffee, tea, and sodas. These are obviously the main teeth staining culprits.

Home Remedies for stained teeth:
• Baking soda—use no more than 2-3 times a week. Baking soda is and abrasive, and while it will remove the stains on your teeth, it will also aid in wearing away the enamel, potentially making it easier for more stains to form. Dip toothbrush in soda, and brush thoroughly. Rinse and follow with regular toothpaste.
• Hydrogen Peroxide—dilute with water and swish around mouth daily. Be sure to spit it out—do not swallow solution. Follow by brushing teeth with regular toothpaste. It can also be combined with baking soda. Dip your toothbrush into peroxide followed by baking soda. Brush teeth thoroughly. Rinse and follow with regular toothpaste.
• Lemon or strawberries rubbed on the teeth. Must brush after using to remove the excess natural sugars. I’ve also heard the inside of a rind of an orange will help. I have never tried this, so don’t know if it’s an old wife’s tale or not.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash—this will reduce the amount of stain-catching plaque on your teeth

Some over-the-counter teeth bleaching products have been shown to work. Check with your family dentist or pharmacist for recommendations of safe and effective teeth whitening products. Some suggest drinking through a straw whenever possible so that the liquid drawn into the mouth is directed to the back over the tongue, and not over all the teeth. I didn’t find any evidence to conclusively support this, but it does seem logical depending on what you are drinking.

Above all, proper dental hygiene will help in keeping those pearly whites as white and pearly as possible.

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies for Teeth Whitening? Comment and share them with us!

Share this post!

Teething seems to begin with birth and go on until kindergarten. It’s a trying time for both parents and tots alike. But rest assured, teething does end, and peace will be restored; where teething is concerned anyway. Then it’s on to any number of wonderful phases of growth for you and your child.

Causes

Children’s teeth actually begin to develop in the womb. When the teeth begin to break through the gums, teething has begun. Teething can begin as early as 3 months and last until the child is three. Most commonly, 4-7 months is the time when the primary teeth break through. But there are always those early developers who have a tooth poking through at birth, and late bloomers who sport a gummy smile until around the time of their first birthday.

Teeth usually break through in a specific order, but not always. Typically, the bottom front teeth make their appearance first, followed by the top two front teeth. The bicuspids and the canines are next, followed by the molars. There are general stages when the molars come in, giving them the names of two-year, four-year, and six-year molars.

Signs and Symptoms

Teething is a painful time for most children, although some don’t experience any side effects at all. The gums become painful and swollen from the tooth pressing against them, working its way out of the gums. The child may react with crying, irritability, loss of appetite (because it’s too painful to eat), and excessive drool which can cause a rash on the face and neck of the child. Other symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, diaper rash, and vomiting are debatable as to whether or not teething is the actual cause of these other symptoms. One pediatrician, William Sears, author of The Baby Book, maintains that teething can cause diarrhea and mild diaper rash due to the excess saliva that the baby is swallowing. Fever (101 or lower) can be caused due to the inflammation of the baby’s gums, any higher and a more serious condition must be ruled out. Many refute his claims, and assert that other symptoms are from illness and not from teething.

Treatment

There are many items on the market to soothe the baby beast. Just remember, as frustrating as it is for you to listen to all the crying and wailing, have your sleep disrupted, and go through a pound of wash just on ‘drooly’ bibs, it’s that much more for the poor teething soul. Here are some things you can do to help your not-for-long-toothless toddler.
• Offer teething rings—make sure they are hygienic before giving them to your crumb snatching ankle biter.
• Give a baby toast like zwieback to help move the teeth through while ensuring the risk of choking is minimal. Never leave your child unattended while eating. DO NOT give carrots, bits will break off and cause a BIG choking hazard.
• Keep the child’s face wiped clean of drool to aid in the prevention and healing of facial rashes.
• Often just rubbing your finger on the inflamed gums will soothe the seething, teething toddler.
• Over-the-counter topical analgesics are sometimes helpful during sleepy times.
• An anti-inflammatory like acetaminophen for children is sometimes used, especially if accompanied with fever. DO NOT give children aspirin without the consent of your pediatrician.
If diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, fever, or rashes persist, consult with a physician to rule out any other cause.

As always, lots of hugs and kisses to soothe the teary-eyed teether.

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies for teething? Comment and share them with us!

Share this post!

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) is a condition where not enough saliva is produced and the mouth becomes very dry.

We need saliva to prevent infection by warding off bacteria and fungi in the mouth. Saliva is also important because not only does it help us chew and swallow food, but it also protects teeth from decay.

Common symptoms of dry mouth

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Cracked lips
• Sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth
• Frequent thirst
• Problems chewing, speaking, or swallowing
• A change in sense of taste
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness
• Increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease
• Bad breath (halitosis)

Causes of dry mouth

Medications. Prescription drugs and even over-the-counter medications can contribute to dry mouth. Consult the list side effects for your medicine to find out if dry mouth is listed. Talk to your doctor or dentist for more information.

Certain diseases affect the salivary glands and can cause dry mouth—HIV/AIDS, diabetes, stroke and depression.

Nerve damage as a result of injury to the head and neck can result in dry mouth.

Prevention

Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of different issues. If your dry mouth is caused by your medication, talk to your physician about changing or adjusting your medicine. Your dentist or doctor may also suggest an artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.

Home Remedies and Tips

• Brush your teeth often (2-3 times a day) with a soft-bristle toothbrush and floss regularly.
• Brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Avoid sugar. Try sugarless drinks, gum and candy to stimulate saliva flow while decreasing your risk of tooth decay.
• Visit your dentist twice a year for your routine evaluations.
• Sip water frequently. Avoid caffeinated drinks which can dry out your mouth.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol because these habits can contribute to dry mouth.
• Spicy or salty meals can cause pain and discomfort.
• Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your room at night.
• The parsley sprig that you find on your plate at a restaurant naturally sweetens your breath and provides you with vitamins A and C, calcium and iron.

-Nolan

Do you have any remedies for dry mouth? Comment and tell us!

Share this post!