Belmont Dental Group

Signs that You Are Grinding Your Teeth While You Sleep

Teeth grinding, which is also referred to as bruxism, often occurs when the sufferer experiences bouts of anxiety or worry. Yet in many cases, people who grind their teeth aren’t even aware of the problem because it happens during their sleep. They may wake up with facial soreness or a headache, but don’t know why. If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions, you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep, in which case you will need to see a dentist for treatment.

Do You Wake Up with Jaw Pain?
When you grind your teeth in your sleep, you are exerting a great amount of pressure for an extended period of time on your teeth, jaw bones, and surrounding muscles. This constant tension begins to take its toll on the mouth structure, which can result in pain and stiffness. If you’re waking up each morning with jaw discomfort, teeth grinding may be the reason behind it.

Are Your Teeth Becoming More Sensitive to Hot and Cold Sensations?
Consistent teeth grinding will eventually wear away tooth enamel. Without this protective layer, underlying nerve endings can become more sensitive to hot and cold sensations. If you have previously had no problems with eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages yet you are now experiencing discomfort on a regular basis, schedule an appointment with your dentist to see if teeth grinding is the cause.

Have You Noticed Broken Skin on the Interior of Your Cheeks?
The teeth function as the first step of the digestive process, chewing up food and sending it down the digestive tract. In the same way, nighttime teeth grinding can cause sufferers to inadvertently tear at the interior of their cheeks, damaging tissue and inducing pain. If the inside of your cheeks are bleeding, broken, or otherwise injured, consult with a dentist to determine if teeth grinding is at the root of the problem.

Belmont Dental Group can offer immediate relief for those who suffer from nighttime teeth grinding. To learn more about how to stop this damaging habit, call our Belmont area dental practice today at (617) 484-2431 for further information. You can also schedule a consultation by contacting us online.

Maintaining Healthy Gums After Treatment for Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious oral health condition that requires professional intervention to alleviate gum damage and prevent tooth loss. That’s why individuals who undergo treatment for periodontitis must take special precautions to maintain the health of their gums. If you have received treatment for periodontal disease, consider the following guidelines to keep your gums free of future oral health problems.

Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good teeth cleaning habits is vital regardless of how stable your oral health may be, but it becomes especially important when you have undergone periodontitis treatment. Some individuals may be susceptible to gum disease because of genetics or existing health issues such as diabetes or pregnancy. Others may have developed the condition because of inadequate hygiene practices. Regardless of the reasons behind your periodontitis, once you are diagnosed with this condition, you will always have a greater likelihood of encountering it again. To make sure that your teeth and gums stay healthy, uphold stringent cleaning habits.

Eliminate Changeable Risk Factors
While some conditions that contribute to gum disease cannot be altered, you can make some lifestyle changes to decrease your risk of contracting periodontitis again. In particular, make all efforts to stop smoking. Studies have found that smoking makes the body more susceptible to infection, which can increase the chances of getting gum disease. Stress can also play a role in getting gum disease, as it can suppress the immune system to the point where it cannot protect gum tissue from potential infection.

See Your Dentist on a Frequent Basis
Once you have been treated for periodontitis, it’s essential to keep up with all dentist appointments. Most dental professionals recommend that patients with a history of gum disease see their dentist every three months to ensure that their gums are healthy and disease-free. Your dentist can also remove existing plaque or tartar and check for potential tooth decay to further prevent the return of periodontal disease.

Belmont Dental Group offers the most advanced periodontitis treatment options for patients in the Cambridge and Belmont communities. To find out more about our comprehensive dental services, or to make an appointment with a dentist, call us today at (617) 484-2431.

Get to Know Your Teeth and Gums: Resources for Further Reading

Caring for your teeth and gums, coupled with regular dental cleanings and exams, can help you maintain a healthy smile and avoid costly, uncomfortable dental procedures. Your dentist can provide you with recommendations about and demonstrate techniques for health oral hygiene at home. Here are just a few things to keep in mind.

• Did you know that what you eat could improve your oral health? This article lists some teeth-healthy foods to include in your diet for stronger, healthier teeth.
• Dental sealants provide an effective means of protection against cavity formation. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research highlights the benefits of dental sealants.
• Periodontal disease is a widespread problem in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives readers an overview of the causes and signs of gum diseases.

To learn more about dental treatments for taking care of your teeth, talk to your dentist today. If you are looking for a dentist in the Belmont or Cambridge areas, contact Belmont Dental Group today at (617) 484-2431.

Dr. Nager's Inside Flossophy: Modern Medicine- A Christmas Gift?

Medicine in Nazareth 2000 years ago was very different. Illness was understood as a punishment from God. The Hebrew High Priests were involved with praying to lift the burden of illness. While the priests might administer treatment, it was always God who worked through them: “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Ex. 15:26). 

If the germ based theory of illness was to wait 1700 years for Antony van Leuwenhoek to find ‘wee beasties’ swimming in his drop of water, a rudimentary understanding of contagion was known. Leviticus is replete with admonitions to not spread disease. However, the person contracting disease from touching something unclean was due to punishment from God, retribution for not following the rules.

The Hebrew priests were erstwhile public health officials. Of the 613 commandments, 213 deal with medicine. These commandments deal with topics such as preventing epidemics, washing, dietary and sanitary regulations, rules for marital relations, and the observance of a day of rest. There are references to quarantine and cleanliness in Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

The miracles of Jesus involving health are documented in the New Testament. He brought Lazarus back to life. He healed the blind and the lame. As before, Faith was necessary to receive a cure. 

The stubborn notion that affliction was Divine punishment persisted. St John and St Mark described instances where Christ healed the sick in a way reminiscent of casting out devils. St. Luke was a physician, but healing was described as receiving God’s intercession.

The Gospels detail Christ’s story of the Good Samaritan: “And who is my neighbor?” Now here comes the turn, from the Mesopotamian peoples’ understanding of assisting in prayer in order to end disease, to the Christian concept of duty: It is man’s responsibility to emulate Christ’s concern for the sick. In this revolutionary philosophy, a person should help heal the sick so as to be saved himself by leading a life exemplary of Jesus.

As Christianity grew, its new sense of mission gave rise to many kinds of facilities so one might follow Christ’s example. Orphanages, housing for the poor, housing for the elderly and for the stranger were established. St. Helena established the first hospital in 330. Her son, Emperor Constantine, would help the spread of Christianity. Forty years later, St. Basil built a hospital for the impoverished at Caesarea.  St. Ephraem built a hospital for plaque victims.

Some would argue that hospitals had been built here and there before Christianity. The Roman hospitals were more concerned with getting soldiers fit again for duty. The Christian hospitals were designed to heal and to convalesce. It was Christianity that spread these centers of healing around the world, to heal the ill as Christ did.

Meanwhile in the Jewish world, the study of medicine was akin to the study of Talmud. Remember, illness was still seen as divine punishment, which could best be lifted by praying. The complicated, questioning mind that engages deep study of Jewish teachings could also be interested in examining medicine. It was forbidden to accept more than token money for studying Talmud. One had to make their living doing something else. Medieval laws excluded Jews from many professions, but Medicine was not one of them. For these and other reasons, the study of Medicine became a revered (almost priestly?) profession for Jews.

We must credit Christianity for the spread of charitable hospitals around the world. It is a proud moment for those so involved. Proud indeed are the many Jewish doctors I know that practice in them. Merry Christmas, my friends.

Dr. Jim Nager is a practicing dentist and resident of Belmont, and a Clinical Instructor at Harvard. Call Belmont Dental Group today at (617) 484-2431 to arrange an appointment for any of our dentistry services. Questions of a general nature that may be addressed in this space can be sent to drjamesnager@gmail.com.

Fluoride: What It Is, Where It's Found, And How It Helps Your Smile

Your dentist may recommend one or more preventive dental procedures to protect your teeth from decay. Fluoride treatment is one of more popular options for both children and adults because of its safe and effective results. If you have questions concerning the use of fluoride or what it is, talk to your dentist today.

• What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been found to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay begins when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Fluoride provides a barrier between these acids and the tooth surface. In instances where acids have already eaten away at the enamel, fluoride can fortify damaged areas and ward off further decay. When ingested, fluoride can also strengthen the tooth structure from the inside out.
• What substances contain fluoride? Many foods and beverages contain fluoride, but a few stand out from the rest. Fruits like apples, oranges, and cranberries all contain high levels of fluoride. Some cereals are made with fluoride-laced water that remains in the food source once evaporation takes place. Both juice and cereal can be smart choices for increasing your fluoride intake, but beware of those that may also harbor a high sugar content. Instead, look for natural juices with no added sugars, and cereals that are low in sugar content. Many communities add fluoride to tap water. And, of course, you can get fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash from your dentist.
• What are the benefits of fluoride treatment? Eating foods and drinking beverages with fluoride can strengthen your teeth. However, getting a concentrated fluoride treatment from a dental professional is the best way to reap the full advantages of this protective mineral. Children and adults alike can benefit from fluoride: those with a history of tooth decay can ward off future cavities with fluoride treatment, while individuals with a weakened tooth structure can strengthen their teeth through a fluoride treatment.

To learn more about fluoride treatments and other preventive dental care, talk to your dentist today. If you are looking for a dentist in the Belmont or Cambridge areas, contact Belmont Dental Group today at (617) 484-2431.