Bruxers may suffer a variety of symptoms including headaches, jaw pain, cheek and neck pain, jaw clicking, sensitive teeth that may affect your eating habits.   

Here are some natural treatments that may help and you may want to try.   Keep in mind that these work only on some people.  These methods should be done regularly and hopefully you will see some improvements. 

1. Yoga/deep breathing exercises. 
2. Eat an apple or carrot right before going to sleep.
3. Try to sleep on your back. 
4. Herbal tea.
5. Warm milk.
6. Bath before bed. 
7. Warm cloth compress.

However if these techniques do not work there are other forms of treatment or management techniques you can try.  Habit-modifications and other management modalities are available such as night-guards, NTI applicances, along with other options.  Contact you dentist for more information.

Smoking and other tobacco use are associated with 70 – 80% of oral cancer cases. Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes can irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth; chewing tobacco or snuff can cause irritation from direct contact with the mucous membranes; heavy alcohol use is another activity associated with increased risk for oral cancer; other factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include poor dental and oral hygiene and chronic irritation like rough dentures, fillings or teeth.

Oral cancer accounts for about 8% of all malignant growths. Men get oral cancer twice as often as women do, particularly men older than 40.

If the cancer is found early, before it has spread to other areas of the body, the cure rate is nearly 75%. Unfortunately, more than half of oral cancers are advanced by the time it is found.  Approximately 25% of people with oral cancer die because of delayed diagnosis/treatment.

Oral cancer may be discovered when the dentist performs a routine cleaning and examination.

If you have a lesion or bump in the lip area or mouth or a lump in the neck that doesn’t go away after 4 weeks you should contact your health care provider for an examination.  Early diagnosis and treatment oforal cancer greatly increases the chances of survival.

Some tips:

Have the oral soft tissue examined once a year.  Many oral cancers are discovered by a routine dental exam.

Get dental problems corrected.

Minimize or avoid alcohol consumption.

Minimize or avoid tobacco products/smoking.

Maintain good hygiene.

Your North Hollywood dentist.

Studies and research have shown that teeth whitening methods when administered properly do not have any adverse effect on either your gums or teeth. The only minimal side effect it might have is tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity after a whitening session is usually felt when your teeth get exposed to hot or cold types of food like ice cream and coffee. Some individuals who undergo whitening procedures or use tooth whitening products might experience this but it normally stops after 48 hours or the moment the whitening gel is removed.

Nevertheless, if you experience tooth sensitivity here are a few tips:

1. Choose a toothpaste with potassium nitrate (like sensodyne) because this formulation can help reduce sensitivity and also help soothe tooth nerve endings.
2. Use a brush with soft bristles.
3. Consult your dentist to discuss the benefits of a higher concentration fluoride toothpaste.  Fluoride can help remineralize you teeth which can help ease the pain caused by sensitive teeth.
4. If the pain from tooth sensitivity persists, try stopping the treatment within 24 hours to allow your teeth to get vital nutrients.

Everyone is not necessarily a candidate for teeth whitening. If you have gum disease, worn down enamel, existing sensitive teeth, cavities/decay, you should not undergo whitening treatment; it might result in further complications.  Whitening products also are not effective on people with people with existing dental work in their front teeth such as crown, veneers, resin bonds, etc…

Our brand new office is conveniently located in North Hollywood and is just minutes from downtown Los Angeles, Toluca Lake and Studio City. It is also walking distance from the North Hollywood Metro Station making it easily accessible by Red Line and Orange Line. Call us today for more information or to schedule an appointment! We make our services affordable and offer payment plans.