Q: My husband grinds his teeth at night. Sometimes it drives me out of the room. What can we do?
A: The good news is that, yes, there are steps that can help your husband with his—and your—problem. The technical name for your husband’s condition is bruxism. Some experts estimate that as many as 30 percent of the population deal with this grinding. And that includes children right through the elderly.
The habit is not necessarily confined to nighttime. People who grind their teeth in their sleep generally have no idea they’re doing it. And they may wake up feeling fine. Others, however, wake with some combination of jaw, shoulder, and neck pain. Bruxism also can significantly wear teeth and loosen them. In severe cases, it can crack tooth enamel and chip or break teeth. During sleep, bruxism can cause a person’s jaw to clench at a pressure up to six times greater than the pressure during waking hours.
Causes of bruxism can vary. Stress, a sleep disorder, an abnormal bite, or crooked or missing teeth all can be factors. The best person to talk to if you’re suffering from bruxism is your dentist. Muscle-relaxing medication or a nighttime mouth guard, specially fitted by the dentist, may be the answer.
If you, your family,
or your friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
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or your friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
While tooth enamel is the hardest element in your body, it is susceptible to wear and tear just like any other part of the body. Some foods and beverages that passes through our mouth are more corrosive to enamel than are others. For instance, though fruit and fruit juice are good for us in some ways, those that contain citric acid, like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are potentially damaging to teeth enamel. You should also consume carbonated drinks in moderation. In addition, you even also need to be careful about the toothpaste you use. You should avoid toothpastes with abrasives in them, like charcoal toothpastes, even though they may be marketed as tooth-whitening, stain-removing marvels.
Acids in sugar-free beverages can erode tooth enamel. People find carbonated beverages refreshing. Enjoy them in moderation and preferably with meals. The American Dental Association offers these tips to reduce tooth erosion from acidic food and beverages:
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Acidic foods and beverages can wear away the enamel that protects teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. Tooth erosion is permanent and may open the door for bacteria to cause cavities or infection. It can also make teeth appear discolored, as white enamel is worn away to expose the yellow layer below called dentin.
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The foods we eat on a regular basis influence the makeup of the bacteria — both good and bad — in our mouths. While it well known that sugary foods contribute to tooth decay, researchers are finding that they also play a large role in periodontal disease as well as overall systemic health. 
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