Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Most people are not even aware that they are clenching or grinding their teeth.

Some people grind their teeth only during sleep, while others grind or clench their teeth during the daytime as well.

People with bruxism can break dental fillings or damage their teeth. Rubbing the teeth together can cause the outer layers of enamel to wear away, resulting in tooth sensitivity. It will also cause TMD (jaw dysfunction), headaches and facial pain.

You may be grinding your teeth if you experience any of the following:

• Rhythmic contractions of the jaw muscles
• A grinding sound at night, which may disturb the sleep of someone who shares a bedroom with you
• A dull morning headache
• Jaw muscles that are tight or painful – This can make it uncomfortable, even painful, to open your mouth wide, especially in the morning
• Long-lasting pain in the face
• Damaged teeth, broken dental fillings and injured gums
• Painful jaw joint
• Swelling (occasionally) on the side of your lower jaw caused by clenching.

Diagnosis

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, see your dentist. He or she can determine if you are a bruxer and how best to treat it.

Treatment

The treatment of bruxism varies depending on its cause:

·         Stress — If your bruxism is stress-related, your dentist or physician may recommend professional counseling or other strategies to help you relax. You may also be fitted for a custom-made bite plate. If this does not help, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon or to a dentist who has advanced training in head and neck pain.

• Dental problems — If your bruxism is related to tooth problems, your dentist probably will correct tooth alignment. The dentist also may make a mouth guard or bite splint that fits your mouth and teeth. This will help prevent further damage to the teeth. In some cases, it may help your teeth and muscles to realign. 

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Thrush

Thrush is a common yeast infection, called Candida, that causes creamy white patches in the mouth (inner cheeks) and on the tongue. It can also spread to the roof of the mouth and back of the throat.

In babies, Candida causes thrush because babies' immune systems are not yet strong enough to control the growth of the yeast.

Some people get thrush when they take certain medicines, such as antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids.

How is it treated?

Thrush is usually treated with prescribed antifungal. In most cases, you will put the medicine directly on the white patches. If these medicines don't work, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal pill.

If you wear dentures and have thrush, be sure to clean your mouth and dentures every night. You can soak them overnight in a denture cleaner that you buy at the store.

These suggestions may help during an outbreak of oral thrush:

·                     Practice good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once daily. Replace your toothbrush frequently until your infection clears up. Avoid mouthwash or sprays

·                     Try warm saltwater rinses. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Swish the rinse and then spit.

The following measures may help reduce your risk of developing candida infections:

·                     Rinse your mouth. If you have to use a corticosteroid inhaler, be sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after taking your medication.

·                     See your dentist regularly — especially if you have diabetes or wear dentures. Ask your dentist how often you need to be seen. Brush and floss your teeth as often as your dentist recommends. If you wear dentures, be sure to clean them every night.

Halitosis

My mom taught me never to turn down a mint as it may be a hint.

But mints, gums and mouthwashes only mask bad breath. They don’t treat the underlying cause of halitosis, or bad breath.

They include:

·                     Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and other vegetables and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.

·                     Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.

·                     Poor dental hygiene. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth and if not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums (gingivitis) and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums (periodontitis). The uneven surface of the tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. And dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

·                     Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that may cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to "morning breath," and is made worse if you sleep with your mouth open.

·                     Infections in your mouth. Bad breath can be a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.

·                     Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odorous chemicals. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

·                     Other causes. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be associated with bad breath.

To reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum disease, consistently practice good oral hygiene.

Mayoclinic.org