What Are Signs That I Grind My Teeth?

man grinding his teethDo you or someone in your family grind their teeth? Did you know you could be grinding your teeth and not even know it? At our dental office in Lewisburg, we see so many side effects of teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) on teeth of patients of all ages. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about grinding your teeth and what we can do to stop the damage to your smile.

What You Need to Know About Bruxism

Your Lewisburg dentist can tell if you grind your teeth just by looking at them. Grinding usually wears teeth down, causing cracks and chips that can lead to further damaged or broken teeth. That’s why it’s important to address any bruxism issues you may have as soon as possible so your smile stays healthy for a lifetime.

Some additional signs that your grinding or clenching your teeth can also include:

Jaw joint pain or discomfort

– Facial pain

– Headaches or migraines

– Jaw muscle contractions

– Broken restorations

– Tooth sensitivity

– Enamel loss

– Damaged gums

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, there could be a good chance that you’re one of the nearly 30 million people who grind their teeth either during sleep or even subconsciously as you go about your day.

Is there something not right about your smile? Are you concerned that you’re grinding your teeth? The best way to help yourself is to call our Lewisburg dental office right away. We can give you a comprehensive, thorough exam and learn more about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. From there, we’ll be able to see what kind of shape your teeth are in, address the severity of your teeth grinding, and put together a personalized treatment plan for you.

Don’t put your teeth at risk for damage. Talk to the talented team at our dental office in Lewisburg today! Our job isn’t just to do fillings and clean teeth, we’re here to provide you with complete oral health care you can always rely on. Whatever the outcome of your consultation or what your needs may be, we’ll take the time to diagnose your condition so you can get the right kind of treatment to help you and your smile stay pain-free.

Welcoming patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Williamsport, and surrounding areas.

Why Eating Right Will Never Be Wrong for You (And Your Smile)

national nutrition monthIt’s probably safe to say that most people know that they need to eat healthy for their bodies and their teeth to be able to function properly and perform optimally for an entire lifetime. (Well, except maybe toddlers and young kids who would take candy over carrots any day.)

In honor of National Nutrition Month, our dental office in Lewisburg thought it might be a good time to have a little refresher blog about the benefits of eating less sugary and processed foods and more delicious fruits and veggies.

What Foods Will Help My Teeth?

Your dentist in Lewisburg agrees with the American Dental Association that certain foods and beverages can benefit your oral health because they’re rich in calcium and other beneficial tooth nutrients. They include:

  • Milk
  • Plain yogurt
  • Cheese
  • Tofu
  • Leafy greens
  • Almonds
  • Apples
  • Carrots
  • Celery

Foods like red meat, eggs, poultry, and fish can also be rich in smile-boosting proteins and can be part of a healthy diet (unless of course you choose to stick to a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet). Just remember that foods and beverages rich with calcium and protein have the power to protect and fortify your tooth enamel, which is essential to maintaining your oral health. Once you lose your enamel or it begins to break down, there’s no way of getting it back.

You Can Never Go Wrong With Fruits and Vegetables

The reason why fruits and vegetables are so good for our smiles and our bodies is that most of them are rich with vitamin C and vitamin A. Can you guess what these powerful vitamins can do for your smile? They can keep your gums healthy, help wounds heal more quickly, and can also help build strong tooth enamel just like calcium and protein.

Most veggies and fruits also contain a good amount of water and fiber, which your entire body can benefit from. You can be sure you’re also stimulating your salivary glands and helping to wash away bacteria from your teeth when you crunch down on fresh fruits and veggies. This goes to show you why it’s super important to keep your smile healthy, so you’re able to enjoy these things without pain or discomfort.

The Obligatory ‘No Sugar’ Talk

So, we’re sure you already know our Lewisburg dental office is never going to recommend a sugar-filled diet for any patient at any age. It is just not good for you or your teeth. The truth is, sweets can damage teeth because they cause acid levels to rise significantly with every unhealthy bite. This acid loves to attack your valuable tooth enamel that is impossible to recreate artificially, despite all of the advancements in modern dentistry. When your enamel wears down, your teeth are at risk for:

We always want to do everything we can to ensure total body health for our entire family of patients. If there’s something that you’re struggling with in terms of diet and how it could be affecting your smile health, please don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can talk. Together we can find a solution that works for you!

Welcoming patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Williamsport, and nearby neighborhoods.