MOST PEOPLE GRIND OR CLENCH their teeth briefly when annoyed or in a tense situation. That level of teeth-grinding isn’t really something to worry about. It’s when you do it far more frequently, often without even realizing it (you might even do it in your sleep!), that it can potentially become a serious problem. The medical term for this kind of teeth-grinding is bruxism. Bruxism: What and Why The main causes of bruxism is stress and an imperfect bite. Symptoms of Bruxism: Frequent headaches from all the strain Enlargement in your jaw muscles (because you’re giving them quite the workout!) Shifting teeth Flattened chewing surfaces of teeth Exposed dentin and increased tooth sensitivity Chipped/cracked/split teeth Tooth loss Your Next Steps Depending on which type of bruxism you have, there are a variety of treatments or approaches to either reduce the grinding or the damage it causes. Relaxation Particularly for stress-related bruxism, relaxation techniques such…
Brace Yourself Blog
Why See An Orthodontist?
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
Did you know that an orthodontist must become a dentist FIRST? All orthodontist are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Extra training and education that makes an orthodontist qualified to safely and effectively adjust a patient’s dental alignment, which is why it’s so important to choose an orthodontist to straighten your smile. This is especially true with Invisalign treatment where the diagnosis needs to be thorough and complete to set up a great treatment sequence! We have treated over 1,500 patients with Invisalign and we are committed to excellence to optimize your smile and dental health! Trust your team at Dr. McSurdy’s office Dr. David W. McSurdy graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School and then went to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College. He completed his dental training at Temple University School of Dentistry and continued on for his specialized training in orthodontics at Fairleigh Dickinson…
How A Nail Biting Habit Affects Teeth
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
NAIL BITING IS A HABIT shared by between a quarter and a third of children and nearly half of teenagers. Compulsive behaviors don’t always have negative effects on a person’s physical health, but this one definitely does. In addition to leaving the nails torn and uneven and doing damage to the nail beds, nail biting can lead to a variety of oral health complications. Nail Biting Versus Teeth And Gums You might think that your teeth are much tougher than your fingernails, but over time, nail biting can cause significant damage to both teeth and gums. Here are some of the biggest ways this happens: Erosion, chipping, and cracking: the grinding friction of teeth against nails can gradually wear the enamel away, or even cause teeth to chip or crack. Malocclusion and gaps: biting nails doesn’t just damage the teeth, it can also cause them to move, leading to malocclusion’s (problems with the bite) and gaps.…
Going Back to School with Your Braces or Retainers? Try to remember these important tips…
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
For those of you with braces, pack an extra toothbrush in your backpack. Don’t let the remnants of your lunch sit on your teeth and braces all afternoon! Let your teacher know how important it is for you to brush your teeth after meals. If you like to buy your lunch, remember it’s your responsibility to make good decisions about food. Avoid items on the “no-no’ list such as hard, crunchy or sticky foods that can break your braces. Is your team sport starting up again? Those traditional “boil and bite” mouth guards cannot be worn with braces on! We have specialized orthodontic mouth guards in our office that will properly fit over the braces. For those of you with retainers that you wear during the day, pack an extra retainer case in your backpack or lunch bag. Avoid wrapping your retainer in a napkin or paper towel during meals! …
Make it a GREAT day! Everyday!
Categories: Brace Yourself Blog
A great day starts from the moment you awaken. The best way to start your day is with a smile on your face and gratitude in your heart and mind. Saying thank you for this great day holds the thought in your mind. Feeling it with your heart intensifies the thought and makes it a reality. It is impossible to have anxiety, fear, or anger in your mind while you are in a state of gratitude. One of my favorite quotes is from Neale Donald Walsch, “Gratitude is the miracle cure for every moment of disease.” Just try to remember that it is hard to NOT smile while you are in a state of gratitude. One smile (yours) leads to another (your friends and family). Allowing your cup to run over keeps all the negative emotion from entering your day. There is simply no room for negative thoughts when you…