Month: June 2016

Nearly one out of eight Americans suffer from recurring headaches or migraines. To educate the public on the reality of these painful and sometimes debilitating disorders, the American Headache & Migraine Association (AHMA) observes Migraine & Headache Awareness Month every June. While this cause may seem unrelated to dentistry, the team at my Lewisburg dental office want to share just how connected the two can be.

Migraine vs. Headache

Before we dive into how dental health can contribute to migraines, it’s important to differentiate headaches and migraines. Although similar, headaches and migraines tend to have different symptoms, some of which can affect everyday life for the duration of the episode. Let’s examine the two.

The Migraine-Dentistry Connection

Research supports the theory that a bad bite (malocclusion) can contribute to recurring migraines. When teeth don’t align from top to bottom, your ideal bite is thrown off, causing issues to your TMJ (jaw joint). Anatomically, your head is attached to your jaw, and the two share muscles. When the muscles in your jaw become strained due to a bad bite, it can affect your head, thus leading to a migraine. Your dentist in Lewisburg may be able to help diagnose and treat this misalignment, giving you relief from migraines.

Don’t continue to live your life managing your migraines without exploring a possible solution to rid yourself of the pain. If you’re ready to see if your migraines could be caused by a bad bite, call my dental office in Lewisburg to schedule an appointment today. We’ll look at your bite, teeth wear, and other factors to recommend the best treatment for you. Don’t keep suffering, call us today.

Accepting patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Williamsport.

You’ve just finished a great workout. Your muscles are tired, you’re sweating, and you feel great, yet a bit dehydrated. You grab a bottle of your favorite flavored sports drink and sip away. While that drink may help replenish things your body lost during exercise, at my Lewisburg dental office, we also know it’s probably damaging your teeth in the process.

How?

Usually when we talk about things that damage teeth, we focus on sugar. But sports drinks are different. Many of the common sports drinks don’t contain a whole lot of sugar, but they are highly acidic, and that’s what worries us. When teeth are exposed to high levels of acid, the acid actually eats away at the enamel. Enamel protects teeth from bacteria and damage, and without it, the chance for decay and cavities increases. What’s even more concerning is that once the enamel is gone, it’s gone, so it’s important to protect it while it’s there.

The Vicious Cycle

Normally, bacteria wedges into tooth crevices and feeds off sugars obtained from food or drinks. As a byproduct, the bacteria then produce acid which we already learned breaks down the enamel and exposes teeth to decay. If the enamel is already compromised by a diet high in acid, the bacteria already have a place to nestle, and the cycle continues, leading to even more damage.

Treatments

If you’ve ever had a cavity, chances are you had a filling. But if decay isn’t caught in time for a simple filling, there may be a need for more complex treatment like a root canal. Now, before your nerves go on high alert from the term root canal, let us explain why it’s not such a scary thing. When decay gets so deep that it affects the tooth root, it’s painful. A root canal helps relieve that pain. If left untreated, it may become even more painful and could even result in an infection known as an abscess.

Know the Signs

If you notice any signs of decay, call your Lewisburg dentist as soon as possible. Some symptoms of decay include:

• Hot or cold sensitivity
• Toothaches
• Pain when biting
• Holes in the teeth

A quick diagnosis and proactive treatment are the best ways to catch decay early, before higher level procedures are needed. This makes keeping appointments at my Lewisburg dental office every six months incredibly important. The earlier we catch a problem, the easier it is to fix. If you’re due for a visit, call today to schedule an appointment.

Serving patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, and Williamsport.