Archive for the ‘dental disorders’ Category

Confronting the Embarrassment of Bad Breath on Merseyside

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

One of the most uncomfortable, nay embarrassing conditions that can crop in your Merseyside mouth is that of bad breath and once you have identified that you have a problem, then you have to set about fighting it and it will be a fight. Firstly it is important to know just what condition your teeth and gums are in. Gum, tooth and periodontal disease normally lie behind the problem so you must get on board with your dentist and hygienist to put a stop to these getting out of control and then truly up your oral hygiene stakes by increased brushing and flossing each day, and use herbal oils to massage the gums with each day. Once you have got the hang of this, it is time to sit down, preferably with a hygienist and look at your lifestyle, because bad breath is not only caused by the above problems, it can also indicate that other parts of the body are going wrong too. Your diet must change for the better in order to increase your immune system so that the saliva levels in your mouth stay high and your mouth remains hydrated, as this is a very important element in the fight against bad breath. Of course you probably know what’s coming next. Smoking and excessive drinking can cause the mouth to dry up and if you can’t or don’t want to give up, you should do your utmost to at least cut down on your intake.

Painful jaw joint diagnosed as TMD by Bootle dentist

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Disorders affecting the jaw joint, or temporomandibular joint, occur as a result of problems arising in the facial muscles, jaw or joints responsible for talking and eating. Often referred to as TMDs, and sometimes mistakenly as TMJs, these disorders can be painful and irritating, although exact causes of the disorders are unclear.

Injury to the jaw muscles, or muscles of the head and neck, have been a cause of TMD but it is not necessarily a head or neck trauma that causes them. Other possible causes include teeth grinding, dislocation of soft cushion in the jaw joint, arthritis and even possibly stress, which can cause a tightening of the muscles.

The main symptom of problems arising in the jaw joint is pain, usually around the face, neck and shoulders. Other indicators are an inability to open the mouth or a jaw that locks or gets stuck in the open or closed positions. Swelling in the face or a difficulty eating or chewing could be tell tale signs of TMD.

A Bootle dentist will be able to check for signs of TMD during a routine check up. They can do this by feeling for swelling in the face or neck and listening for clicking or popping in the joints as they move. If TMD is suspected they will be able to recommend and MRI or CT scan to gain a better understanding of the exact problem. The dentist may also refer the patient on to an oral surgeon who will be better equipped to offer specific surgical treatments.

Your Aintree Dentist Can Alleviate Your Dry Mouth Issues

Saturday, June 6th, 2009

Depending on your situation, a dry mouth can be caused by any number of factors. For example, if you take certain medications, this may be one of the side effects. Oddly enough, when you mouth becomes too dry, bacteria and food particles will not be washed away quickly enough. Therefore, regardless of why you have a dry mouth, it will be a good idea to visit your Aintree dentist.

In most cases, when you need to cure a dry mouth, your dentist will start by looking for what is causing it. If you already know it is caused by some medication that you are taking, your dentist may offer saliva replacement therapy. Usually, this will solve your dry mouth with a minimal amount of difficult.

Today, many people think that having a dry mouth is just a normal part of life. Unfortunately, letting this condition go on can cause an enormous amount of damage to your teeth and gums. In particular, if you have other risk factors for developing gum disease, this condition can accelerate them exponentially. For example, if you have diabetes, there are a number of factors that may cause you to develop gingivitis and abscesses. The last thing you will want to do is neglect taking care of your dry mouth. At the very least, this will eliminate one possible issue that may cause you to have serious dental problems later on.

When you visit your dentist you can obtain almost immediate relief from dry mouth syndrome. Aside from providing you with relief from an annoying condition, you will also be doing something useful to ensure that your teeth and gums do not develop other medical issues. For the most part, you will find that taking care of your dry mouth now will save you a great deal of money and distress later on.

All You Want to Know About Teeth Grinding

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

Here is another reason why you should avoid stress. Teeth grinding!
According to Toxteth dentists, stress is the primary cause of bruxism, the habit of teeth grinding and clenching. A mild bruxism may not pose a threat on your health. It is when bruxism happens during sleep that makes it a major health issue.
Most cases of bruxism are activated by reflex chewing activity. Here are some symptoms of bruxism:
• Tension or stress
• Eating disorders
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Jaw pain
• Depression
• Insomnia
Several factors are identified to be associated with bruxism:
• Malocclusion, an occlusion problem of the lower and upper teeth.
• Sleep disorders such as hypopnea, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea and moderate daytime sleepiness.
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Over consumption of foods and caffeinated drinks such as colas and coffee
• High blood alcohol level.
• Excessive stress and anxiety
• Smoking
• Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases
• Use of stimulant drugs
If you have the telltale symptoms of bruxism, talk to your Toxteth dentists and have your jaw and mouth examine for signs of teeth grinding or clenching.
You can also take these steps to avoid becoming a teeth grinder:
• Avoid eating foods and drinking beverages that contain caffeine.
• Do not chew on pens, pencils and gums. Chewing on non-food items allows your jaw muscles to get used to clenching.
• Train the muscles on your jaw to relax and not to grind or clench your teeth.