Teeth Grinding: Not Just a Bad Habit, But a Dental Concern

November 15th, 2012

Perhaps you don’t even know you grind your teeth. Maybe a spouse

or loved one woke you up in the middle of the night and made you

aware of what was happening.

For many people, teeth grinding is a habit and a mechanical reflex;

when they’re awakened and informed they were grinding their

teeth, they have no recollection of it at all. According to the

Canadian Dental Association, this is the nightly situation for roughly

ten percent of Canadians. From young children to the elderly, teeth

grinding, known in the dental community as bruxism, is a serious

concern.

Many people who grind their teeth in their sleep have no idea

they’re doing it. In fact, when they wake up in the morning they feel no jaw pain and their teeth are fine: if it hadn’t been for

someone telling them about it, the teeth grinding would have gone unnoticed.

There are other people, however, who wake up with jaw pain, shoulder and neck pain, and headaches. Teeth grinding can

cause a host of dental complications. From cracked teeth and receding gums to a misaligned jaw, teeth grinding is not something

to take lightly.

Preventive measures are the key to combating bruxism, and Sone’s on Sheppard Dental Centre can set you on the path to a

healthy and safe night sleep.

The Reasons for Teeth Grinding

There are many reasons for teeth grinding. For some people, it ’s a habit they acquired when they were a child and never grew

out of. On the other hand, some research claims that the condition is related to stress, anxiety, or some other type of psychiatric

issue.

Still other studies point to everything from poor muscle control or over-eating before bed to gastro-esophageal issues. However,

the root cause of the teeth grinding is less important than identifying preventive measures against it.

Common solutions to teeth grinding include:

• Wearing a protective nightguard

• Stress management techniques

• Medications and muscle relaxers

When you make an appointment at our office, we will assess your situation and determine what the best course of action is.

Teeth grinding is a dental concern that can cause serious health issues down the road, so be sure to take preventive measures

today.

Tooth Discoloration: Dr. Aiden Sone discusses Common Causes and What You

Can Do To Stop It

November 18th, 2012

Looking back at childhood photos, you may notice

picture after picture of yourself with a mouthful of shiny

white teeth. When you look in the mirror today, you

wonder what happened to that beautiful smile. Many

adults struggle with tooth discoloration and find it

embarrassing to show off their teeth in a smile. Once

you identify the cause of your tooth discoloration, there

are treatment options that can restore your teeth and

your confidence.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

There are a host of factors that may cause your teeth to discolor. Some are directly under your

control, and others may not be preventable. Here is a list of common reasons that teeth become

discolored.

• Genetics: Much of your dental health is determined by genetic factors beyond your control. Some

people naturally have thinner enamel or discolored teeth.

• Medications: Several medications lead to tooth discoloration as a side effect. If you received the

common antibiotics doxycycline or tetracycline as a child, your teeth may have discolored as a

consequence. Antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, and antipsychotic drugs can also

discolor teeth. If you think a medication may be leading to tooth discoloration, talk to your dentist.

Never discontinue the use of a medication without consulting your doctor, however.

• Medical Conditions: Genetic conditions such as amelogenesis or dentinogenesis cause improper

development of the enamel, and can lead to yellowed, discolored teeth.

• Poor Dental Hygiene: Failing to brush your teeth at least twice a day or regularly floss may lead

to tooth decay and discoloration.

• Foods and Tobacco: Consumption of certain foods, including coffee, tea, wine, soda, apples, or

potatoes, can cause tooth discoloration. Tobacco use also causes teeth to turn yellow or brown.

Treatments for Tooth Discoloration

There are a variety of treatments available to individuals with discolored teeth. One of the easiest

ways to reduce tooth discoloration is through prevention. Avoid drinking red wine, soda, or coffee

and stop using tobacco products. If you drink beverages that tend to leave stains, brush your teeth

immediately or swish with water to reduce staining.

After determining the cause of tooth discoloration, our dentist can suggest other treatment options.

Over-the-counter whitening agents might help, but in-office whitening treatments provided at our

office would be much more effective. When whitening agents do not help, bondings or veneers are

among the alternative solutions for tooth discoloration.

If you are worried about your teeth becoming yellow or brown, think carefully about your diet and

medication use. Talk to your dentist to identify substances that may be causing the problem. After

treatment for tooth discoloration, you will have a beautiful white smile you can be proud to show

off.

Please call us at Sone’s on Sheppard Dental Centre to set up an appointment and discuss the best

options to achieve your whitest smile

Foods That Can Harm Enamel; A Discussion From Sone’s on Sheppard Dental

Centre

November 22nd, 2012

Many people who are careful about brushing and flossing their teeth

wonder how they still end up with cavities or tooth decay. Several

factors affect wear and tear on tooth enamel. Diet is a major factor,

with certain foods increasing the likelihood that your enamel will become

discolored or decayed. Pay close attention to the foods you eat to keep

your pearly whites looking healthy and clean.

What Causes Enamel Damage?

Tooth enamel refers to the hard, semi-translucent, whitish part of the

tooth that shows above your gums. The enamel is primarily composed of

minerals that are strong but susceptible to highly acidic foods. When acid

reacts with the minerals in enamel, tooth decay results. Strongly

pigmented foods can also damage enamel by discoloring the surface of the tooth.

Foods that Harm Enamel

Acidic foods are the greatest source of enamel damage. To determine whether a food is acidic, look up its pH. Scientists use pH,

on a one-to-seven scale, to define the relative acidity or alkalinity of a substance. Foods with low pH levels, between a one and

three, are high in acidity and may damage your enamel. Foods with high pH levels, such as a six or seven, are far less likely to

cause enamel harm.

So which foods should you avoid? Many fruits are high in acidity, including lemons, grapefruit, strawberries, grapes, and apples.

The high sugar and acid content in soda makes it another huge contributor to enamel decay. Moderately acidic foods include

pineapple, oranges, tomatoes, cottage cheese, maple syrup, yogurt, raisins, pickles, and honey. The foods that are least likely to

cause enamel damage include milk, most cheeses, eggs, and water.

Beverages such as red wine and coffee also damage the enamel by discoloring it. Although stains do not necessarily undermine

the integrity of your teeth, they can be unsightly.

What Can I Do to Prevent Enamel Damage?

Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to prevent your enamel from discoloring or decaying. The easiest way to

avoid decay is to steer clear of high-acidity foods. This may not always be possible, but eliminating sugary fruit juices and soda

from your diet is a good start. Brushing your teeth after each meal and flossing frequently also preserves your enamel. Another

good idea is to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after eating to wash away high-acidity particles.

Although enamel damage is common, it does not have to be an inevitable occurrence. Knowing the foods that harm your teeth

gives you the tools to prevent discoloration and decay. With some easy preventive measures, your teeth will stay strong and

white for years to come.

How can Invisalign improve your oral health?

November 26th, 2012

When considering treatment options, patients often ask us how

Invisalign treatment is so different than traditional braces. Well, there are

more reasons to smile about Invisalign with Sone’s on Sheppard Dental

Centre than you may know. Invisalign is a series of removable aligners

that are nearly invisible, and besides straightening your teeth, can

improve your oral health. Here’s how:

Healthy Gums: Straight teeth allow a close fit for gums. This lessens

the gum stress that is caused by crowded or widely spaced teeth, thus

also reducing red and swollen gums.

Easy cleaning: Invisalign is removable, therefore brushing and flossing is

easier and you are able to maintain a healthy mouth. These habits are vital to avoiding tooth decay, plaque and even gum

disease.

Improved speech and chewing: Properly-aligned teeth don’t have the discomfort or compound speech impediments that can

be caused by crowded teeth or a deteriorating jawbone.

If you have any questions about Invisalign, just ask Drs. Warren Sone, Eryn Sone or Aiden Sone the next time you’re in for an

appointment. Or, you may post your question on our Facebook page!