Can you imagine going to the dentist in your great grandfather’s day? All the dentist would give you to soften the pain was either a shot of whiskey or something to hold on to and squeeze. Fortunately for us today a trip to the dentist can be a painless experience due to anesthesia.  Anesthesia is a Greek word which actually means “without sensation.”  After visiting and having dental work done by your local Walnut Creek dentist, you’ll be able to say that it was without sensation due to the many anesthetic options offered by Walnut Creek Dental.

The most commonly administered local anesthesia used by dentists is a substance called lidocaine. It is the compound which produces that numb feeling in your mouth and face.  Although this is the most common form of painkiller used by dentists there are other options available to ease the pain.

In recent years many dental offices have began to offer nitrous oxide to patients.  This form of anesthesia requires no needles but is breathed through a mask and produces a very relaxed yet conscious sedative state.  This type of anesthesia is recommended for patients with high anxiety and fear about visiting the dentist.

There are other drugs which the dentist can use to sedate a patient and make the dental experience more pleasant.  General anesthesia or a state of total unconsciousness is employed in cases where the patient has extreme anxiety or other forms of anesthesia provide little or no effect.

Your dentist in Walnut Creek will discuss with you the anesthetic options available to you based on your needs.  He or she will then be able to suggest and provide the proper type of anesthesia to make your trip to the dentist as pleasant and painless as possible.  Set up an appointment today.

Bruxism, more commonly referred to as teeth grinding, is a condition in which you clench or grind your teeth.  Many and even most people do not realize they have this condition because it happens subconsciously when they are sleeping. This is called sleep bruxism.  Even though it is a subconscious condition or habit, it can be treated and years worth of damage done by bruxism can be repaired by your Westerville dentist.

The seriousness of bruxism can vary from patient to patient. Some individuals experience very mild teeth grinding and therefore require little to no treatment.  For others it may be much more severe and frequent and lead to serious symptoms such as broken and damaged teeth, headaches, intense jaw pain and locking, as well as many other problems.  Some teeth grinding may even be loud enough to awaken your spouse or sleep partner.   Most people will not allow themselves to be examined for bruxism until complications and health problems develop.  Regular trips to your dentist will enable you to catch any possible teeth grinding before it turns into a real grind on you.

Doctors and scientists do not fully understand the causes of bruxism. The causes may be of a physical nature or a psychological condition or maybe both.   Some theories that exist concerning the causes of teeth grinding include a high amount of anxiety, fear, stress or tension in the sufferer’s life, suppressed anger, the individual may have an aggressive or hyperactive personality type, changes in the sleep patterns or cycles of the person, or can be the result of another disorder such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease.

A Westerville dental specialist will take the time to examine and treat your bruxism.  Although the disorder is not fully understood it still remains very treatable. Make an appointment immediately and give your teeth a break.

Teeth grinding or clenching is a common dental issue; this condition effects between 30 and 40 million Americans.  This can be something you’re aware of, or something you may not know about until you talk to your dentist.  You may do it when you’re stressed, when you’re excited, or unconsciously when you’re sleeping.  It may seem relatively harmless, but in truth it can be a damaging habit that needs to be broken.  Modesto Dental can help.

Teeth grinding is known in the dental world as “bruxism”.  Most dentists agree that this is caused by misaligned teeth.  It is important to be informed of the symptoms because many people are unaware of their habit, and because roughly 30% of children grind their teeth, which means that a parent must be aware of what to look for.  Do you wake up with a headache, tight, sore jaw muscles, or an earache regularly? Does your bedmate complain that they can hear a grinding noise while you sleep?  Are you depressed or anxious?  Does your face hurt in the morning?  Do your jaw muscles appear swollen?  Any combination of these things may point to bruxism, and it is important to see a dentist if you feel this may be you.  Bruxing wears down teeth, and can cause cracks or breaks, sometimes causing damage to fillings or other fixtures.  When teeth are worn down, nerves can be exposed making teeth highly sensitive.  Bruxing can also damage your hearing, and can worsen, or be the cause of, TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

While seeing your dentist is a very important step in fixing your bruxism, there are some steps you can take on your own.  First of all, only chew on food.  Chewing gum, pencils, or anything else trains your jaw to clench.  Keep a constant mental tab on your jaw, relaxing whenever your jaw muscles tighten.  Avoid caffeine and alcohol.  Hold a warm washcloth against your jaw muscles to help them relax and stay relaxed, and try massaging and stretching the jaw muscles.  If grinding persists, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard, or a course of action to correct your bite.