Teeth grinding, sometimes called bruxism, can be a difficult problem for many people. Because it mainly happens while people are asleep, they have to wait until the dentist tells them that they’re even doing it. Clenching your teeth once in a while won’t make a difference to your oral health, but constant grinding can cause everything from unexplained headaches to severely damaged teeth. We’ll look at three tips if you’re grinding your teeth in Sugar Land, TX.

1. Take Immediate Action

Teeth grinding is associated with a loss of tooth enamel, which will make the teeth more sensitive. The repetition can also cause more severe injury, including breaking or fracturing. Because you’re unlikely to be able to direct yourself not to grind your teeth while you’re asleep, we recommend a mouth guard at night. This doesn’t have to be a permanent solution, but more of a stop gap as you work on the larger problem. Whether it’s a custom-made one (which we recommend) or a store-bought one, you’re giving your teeth some degree of protection at night.

2. Focus on Relaxing

Teeth grinding and stress very much go hand-in-hand, so it pays to have a more relaxing routine. Easy ways to bring down the tension include more exercise, fewer screens, and a quick massage of your jaw muscles. If you find yourself clenching your mouth when you’re under pressure, stop and take a few deep breaths. Amp up your bedtime ritual so you’re giving your bodies clear signals that the day is winding down. This can mean anything from having a cup of herbal tea to reading a boring book right before turning out the lights.

3. Visit the Right Dentist in Sugar Land, TX

Teeth grinding symptoms are usually the result of stress but can be exacerbated by chewing things like ice, taffy, or even steak. A good dentist in Sugar Land, TX can shed more insight into why you’re grinding your teeth and how you can prevent it on a long-term basis. At First Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re here to help teeth grinders get the support and treatment they need to break the habit. Contact us today to see how we can help you get the situation under control.

By now, most people know about the connection between oral health and overall health. Poor oral health and the buildup of bacteria in the mouth can pollute the body, including the blood stream and the heart. But did you know that there is also a surprising link between poor oral health and Alzheimer’s? If you ever needed more motivation to visit your Sugar Land, TX dentist on a regular basis, the following information will surely be it.

Understanding Alzheimer’s

Before discussing the link between oral health and Alzheimer’s it’s important to fully understand the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. Dementia is defined as a reduction in cognitive function, most notably memory function. While many older folks experience some level of dementia in their final years, this isn’t the same as Alzheimer’s. With dementia, a person may not be able to remember vocabulary words as readily as they did as a youngster. Or they may enter a room and forget why they came in there for a few seconds. But with Alzheimer’s the level of dementia is much more severe.

Eventually, people with Alzheimer’s may forget their loved ones, or even forget they have children. They may forget where they live, who they are or even where the bathroom is in their own house. This angers and frustrates them, and they may undergo marked personality changes, lashing out at those who are trying to help them. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s at this time.

Proven Link Between Poor Oral Health and Alzheimer’s

Recently, a significant and ominous connection was made between oral health and Alzheimer’s. Researchers discovered that a common oral bacteria, called Porphyromonas gingivalis, was in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. This particular bacteria is the main pathogen in patients who have chronic periodontitis. Another type of bacterium related to poor oral health, ginipains, was also identified in samples from brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients. This is irrefutable evidence that oral bacteria can and does travel from the mouth to the brain, where it colonizes and plays a part in the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.

The point here is that there is more at stake than having attractive teeth. Your very health is endangered when you don’t take oral health seriously. Book an appointment today with your Sugar Land, TX dentist, and visit your dentist every six months at a minimum.

From fever and sore throat to difficulty with taste and smell, the COVID-19 virus has been linked to a litany of different symptoms. Risk factors for contracting the virus range from age to underlying medical conditions. But, could COVID bring about oral health concerns, or does your oral health have anything to do with COVID-19? Some researchers believe that to be the case. Known for our advanced dental treatment in Sugar Land, First Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry has the facts.

Poor oral health may be a risk factor.

One small study in 2021 suggested that poor oral health may actually play a role in contracting SARS-CoV-2. The researchers noted that people who have poor oral health have more angiotensin-converting enzymes, and those enzymes may make it easier for the virus to break through cells when the viral cells enter the mouth. One study also stated that people with gum disease may actually be more likely to have more severe symptoms with the virus.

Complications of COVID-19 may be linked to oral health changes.

After experiencing COVID-19 complications, a patient may actually be more prone to certain oral health changes. However, the research for this is not well-established due to limited time for the measurement of virus outcomes. The reason behind this could be related to not practicing good oral hygiene while sick.

Be aware of dry mouth as a COVID symptom.

Some research on people with early symptoms of COVID-19 shows that dry mouth may be one of the more common symptoms people experience. In a study of 108 people with COVID-19, dry mouth was listed as the most common oral symptom. However, why this happens to be the case is not yet entirely clear. Some suggest that the virus may affect the salivary glands.

Talk to a Sugar Land Dentist for More Insight

If you believe COVID has affected your oral health or you fear you may be at risk because of poor oral health, talk to a Sugar Land dentist for advice. While there is still a great deal we do not fully know about COVID-19 and oral health, we can definitely help you keep a close eye on your teeth and gums. Reach out to us at First Dental Family and Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

Water—the human body is actually made up of roughly 60 percent of it. We, humans, are constantly told how important it is for us to drink water. Yet, a good portion of the population doesn’t take in near enough on a daily basis. Not only is water an important way to support your bodily functions, but getting enough water is also important for your smile. Take a look at how water can be the simple secret behind good oral health.

A hydrated mouth contains fewer bacteria.

Did you know drinking water can lower your risks of infection? Not only can drinking water help with issues like urinary tract infections but taking in ample fluid can also lower bacteria levels in your mouth. Bacteria can be direct contributors to issues with things like bad breath, gum disease, and even tooth decay.

Drinking water helps encourage a healthy blood supply to your mouth.

Health water intake supports a healthy circulatory system. Blood plasma can be as much as 90 percent water, so if your body does not have enough water, your blood supply can be less and your circulatory system may slow. What you may not realize is just how important all this is to your teeth. A healthy blood supply is critical to the health of your gums, saliva production, and more.

Decay can be a direct result of lacking water intake.

When the healthy bacteria in your mouth break down food particles, the result can be a spike in pH levels due to acidic waste products from the bacteria. Higher pH levels in your mouth can be directly linked to heightened chances of tooth decay. For example, when you eat something sugary, the bacteria in your mouth process the particles and the result is an acidic waste. Due to this acidic waste, the pH levels in your mouth go up, which can be hard on your teeth and gums. Drinking water helps to wash away the acidic waste and neutralize pH levels in your mouth.

Take care of your smile with our help!

Sometimes, taking good care of your teeth comes down to some of the simplest changes, and drinking plenty of water is the perfect example. Contact us at First Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Sugar Land, TX to schedule an appointment if you need help making sure your smile is as healthy as possible.