Thursday, June 2, 2011

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) - do you need a night guard?

What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the technical term for teeth grinding and clenching that wears down teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench, called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as in their sleep.  People usually aren't diagnosed with bruxism until it is too late because so many people don't realize they have the habit. Others mistakenly believe that their teeth must touch at all times. About one in three people suffer from bruxism, which can easily be treated by a dentist.  People who have otherwise healthy teeth and gums can clench so often and so hard that over time their teeth become sensitive. They experience jaw pain, tense muscles and headaches along with excessive wear on their teeth. Forceful biting when not eating may cause the jaw to move out of proper balance and leads to problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).  Women have a higher prevalence of bruxism possibly because they are more likely to experience tissue alterations in the jaw resulting from clenching and grinding.  Stress and certain personality types are commonly related to bruxism.  Anger, pain and frustration can trigger or increase to severity of the habit.

What can be done about it?
The treatment for bruxism the occurs during the day is to get the bruxer to change behavior by learning how to rest the tongue, teeth and lips properly. When some people become aware of their problem, simply advising them to rest their tongue upward with teeth apart and lips shut may be enough to change their behavior and relieve discomfort. However, the habit commonly occurs during sleep.  The dentist can make a plastic mouth appliance, such as a night guard that's worn to absorb the force of biting. This appliance can prevent future damage to the teeth and helps change the patient's destructive behavior.   Come if for an exam at Sugar Hill Dentistry today if you are having trouble with this common problem!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Maybe the best reason for early and consistent dental care ....

     ~ Number of centenarians is booming in country ~

Genes, environment, and nutrition cited for growing number of people reaching 100.

Not too long ago, Lonny Fried's achievement would have dropped jaws. TV and newspaper reporters would have showed up at her door. She would have been fussed over and given a big party.

But turning 100 isn' such a big deal anymore..

America's population of centenarians - already the largest in the world - has roughly doubled in the past 20 years to around 72,000 and is projected to at least double again by 2020, perhaps even increase seven-fold, according to the Census Bureau.

Fried turns 100 on Friday. Her retirement community, Edgewater Pointe Estates in Boca Raton, observed her birthday two weeks ahead of time with other residents born in April.

In the '80's, we'd make a big deal about it by calling Willard Scott on TV to make that huge announcement," Diana Ferguson, who has worked at Edgewater for 25 years, said of the "Today" show weatherman known for his on-air birthday wishes to viewers who hit the century mark. But today we have so many residents turning 100-plus that it's not as big a deal."

Fried doesn't mind at all. Simply making it to 100, she said, is enough.

The Census Bureau estimates there were 71,991 centenarians as of Dec. 1, up from 37,306 two decades earlier. While predicting longevity and population growth is difficult, the census' low-end estimate for 2050 is 265,000 centenarians; its highest projection puts the number at 4.2 million.

"They have been the fastest-growing segment of our population in terms of age," said Thomas Perls, director of the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University.

The rising number of centenarians is not just a byproduct of the nation's growing population - they make up a bigger chunk of it. In 1990, about 15 in every 100,000 Americans had reached 100; in 2010, it was more than 23 per 100,000, according to census figures.

Perls said the rise in 100-year-olds is attributed largely to better medical care and the dramatic drop in childhood mortality rates since the early 1900's. Centenarians also have good genes on their side, he said, and have made commonsense health decision, such as not smoking and keeping their weight down.

"It's very clearly a combination of genes and environment," Perls said.

The Social Security Administration says just under 1 percent of people born in 1910 survived to their 100th birthday. Some have speculated that as many as half of girls born today could live to 100.

When Lynn Peters Adler, a former lawyer who founded and runs the National Centenarian Awareness Project, began to recognize the oldest members of the community, she didn't even know the word "centenarian." Now, some weeks she talks to a dozen people who are 100 and older. And in her 25 years of contact with centenarians, she has culled some similarities among them:

     * A positive but realistic attitude.
     * A love of life and sense of humor
     * Spirituality
     * Courage
     * And a remarkable ability to accept the losses that come with age but not be stopped by them.

"Centenarians are not quitters," she said.

                                                                                by Matt Sedensky
                                                                                 Associated Press

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Epidemic of Childhood Cavities

Early Childhood Tooth Decay is becoming an epidemic in today’s society due to the prevalence of sugary drinks and snacks.  Your child’s baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they first appear-which is typically around age six months. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries. It most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. In some unfortunate cases, infants and toddlers have experienced decay so severe that the teeth cannot be repaired and need to be removed. The good news is that decay is preventable.  With a regular dental checkups, fluoride supplementation and preventative care, you can keep your child's baby teeth healthy and create good habits that will keep their permanent teeth healthy for a lifetime.

Help prevent tooth decay for your child by following the tips below:
  • Schedule a visit for the first dental check-up between ages of 1 and 2. Although this may seem early, starting early is the key to a lifetime of good dental health.
  • Make sure that the caregivers have good dental health
  • Don’t share saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers.
  • Encourage healthy eating habits that include a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains. Serve nutritious snacks and limit sweets to mealtimes.
  • Place only formula, milk or breastmilk in bottles, not sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
  • Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.
  • Toddlers should drink juice and milk with meals, sipping on water between meals.
  • After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth to remove plaque and bits of food. When your child’s teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child’s size toothbrush and water.

  • When your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste (usually not before age two), begin brushing the teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

  • Brush your child’s teeth until he or she is at least six years old.


Monday, May 23, 2011

Comprehensive Family Dentistry

Come visit us at Sugar Hill Dentistry!  We are a family centered dental office that provides comprehensive dentistry for the entire family at the same time. We can take care of all your dental needs, from your child's first happy visit, to complete oral rehabilitation. Learn all about the services we can provide and get to know our doctors at sugarhilldentistry.com.  We look forward to seeing you!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Blogging is Great ....

Blogging is great as an instant way to openly communicate information, news, and ideas among the community. Its a great way to keep current with other peoples thoughts and ideas.