Posted by Marhama Alvi on Tue, Jun 07, 2011 @ 04:13 PM
Sounds like you may be bruxing! Bruxism is characterized by grinding of the teeth and typically includes clenching of the jaw. Most bruxers grind at night time and this is when the majority of the health issues occur.
Q? Why am I grinding?
A. Possible triggers to tooth grinding in adults are anxiety, stress or tension, trauma to a period of unusual stress, suppressed anger or frustration, aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality type, abnormal occlusion/bite, and other sleep problems.
Q? Do I grind my teeth at night? How do I know if I am grinding?
A. Most people who grind at night are not aware of their habits unless someone around them happens to be awake while the grinding occurs. Your dentist is a valuable source and can show you any signs of grinding that you may have.
Q? What are some symptoms of tooth grinding?
A. Some common symtoms of tooth grinding are teeth that are worn down, flattened, fractured or chipped, worn tooh enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, gum recession, jaw pain/tightness, headaches, facial/neck pain, and earaches.
Q? What are the consequences to tooth grinding?
A. Bruxism can result in occlusal trauma (the abnormal wear patterns on the biting surfaces of the teeth), abfraction lesions (loss of tooth structure from flexural forces) and fractures in the teeth/ existing fillings. Over time, dental damage increases. Bruxism is the leading cause of occlusal trauma and a significant cause of tooth loss and gum recession. Some patients may develop temporomandibular joint disorders. Tooth grinding can also contributing to exisitng periodontal disease and make bone loss worse.
Q? What can I do to stop my grinding?
A. Unfortunatley, once someone starts the habit of grinding their teeth at night, they will continue to grind. Stress reduction is key: exercising, yoga/ meditation, listening to relaxing music, taking baths, etc.
Getting fitted for a dental nightguard protects your teeth from further damage. Nightguards made by dentists are custom fitted to fit your teeth and positions your lower jaw in a more relaxed state, preventing you from grinding and reducing any muscle strain.
Dental nightguards are relatively thin, light and are very comfortable to wear. Please come visit us if you have any questions.
Sylvia Koo, DMD
West Somerville Dental
Posted by Marhama Alvi on Fri, Feb 04, 2011 @ 01:21 AM
‘My tooth broke and the pain is killing me, I need to see the dentist NOW!’
This is a common call made to the dentist office. No one wants to endure this extreme pain; a tooth that cracks and then splits is very painful. Early detection of the symptoms is easy and important to avoid experiencing this pain.
How do I know if my tooth is cracked?
The characteristic symptom of a cracked tooth is a sharp pain on biting, that goes away immediately on release. If the situation is not detected at this stage then it may progress to:
1. Nerve damage:
Irreversible damage of the nerve: The symptoms will then progress to a throbbing pain which comes and goes without any identified trigger.
2. Broken tooth:
Complete split of the tooth: The crack may progress and ultimately split the tooth apart - even while while chewing on soft or hard foods.
But why does the tooth hurt?
The tooth hurts because on biting the crack is split open, when the bite is released the crack closes again and this change in pressure irritates the nerve. Untreated it will damage the nerve.
How do we treat my cracked tooth:
If detected early the treatment may be simple and restricted to a simple procedure like bonding or a crown.
If detection is delayed, nerve damage may occur, and then the tooth may require a root canal.
In severe cases, the tooth maybe untreatable and require extraction.
However each case is different and the earlier the problem is treated the better the prognosis.
Take care and remember to brush!
- Marhama Alvi, DMD
Here is an interesting article on this subject published by the American Dental Association
http://www.ada.org/sections/publicResources/pdfs/patient_25.pdf
Posted by Adnan Shah on Fri, Jan 28, 2011 @ 09:09 AM
We are delighted to announce our Groupon promotion ! (check out the Groupon ad below - reproduced from their website)
http://www.groupon.com/boston/deals/west-somerville-dental?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu7972329
A frequently misunderstood communicator, teeth chatter not when chilly, but to alert their owners to the dangerous presence of nearby chattering wind-up teeth. Polish your tiny dancers with today's Groupon to West Somerville Dental Associates. Choose between the following options:
- For $185, you get a professional in-office teeth whitening and take-home maintenance kit (a $619 value).
- For $60, you get a cleaning, exam, x-ray package, and take-home hygiene kit (up to a $341 value).
The talented toothsmiths at West Somerville Dental Associates tenderly restore teeth to their natural luminescence. Opt for the in-office teeth whitening and your mandible mollusks will emerge brighter than the most intelligent walrus. Teeth are cleaned and examined prior to the in-office treatment, and custom-made take-home whitening trays provide the goods needed to maintain a pearly sheen. Alternately, the comprehensive cleaning package whisks teeth through a tingly tour of digital x-ray terrain, cleaning and polishing oral meadows with rivers of fluoride rinse. Teeth will receive an exam to assess oral health, followed by an oral exam to assess the teeth's knowledge of the underlying causes of the Bolshevik Revolution. They'll also receive a goody bag of tooth-tending treats.
Posted by Marhama Alvi on Sun, Jan 16, 2011 @ 11:51 PM
We all wish that our children never get hurt - but the fact is the highest incidence of tooth trauma occurs, not surprisingly, in children! All we can do is be fully prepared for such an situation.
Tooth Trauma peaks twice:
- Baby Teeth: The first peak is between the age of 2-3 years, when kids are still uncoordinated walkers and keen to discover their surroundings :-)
- Permanent Teeth: The second peak occurs between the age of 9-10 years, when kids get sport injuries - this condition is more common in boys than girls.
As a parent or childcare provider it is important to be aware of how to best deal with this situation. Here is a step by step guide on what to do:
- Stay calm, reassure your child
- If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the site with gauze and hold it in place till bleeding stops
- Give the child something cold to suck on – this will act as a cold compress and prevent swelling
- If the tooth is chipped or a piece is broken, check to see no piece is imbedded in the soft tissues
- Contact us as soon as you can, we need to take a look at the tooth
Depending on the situation, we will do either one of the following:
If the tooth is chipped or broken:
- If there is no pain or discomfort - all we have to do is keep an eye on it
- If there is pain due to a sharp edge traumatizing the lip or cheek, the treatment may be as simple as smoothening off the edge
- If there is pain due to an exposed nerve, we will evaluate the health of the tooth and then decide the appropriate treatment plan
* If it is a baby tooth then it is very important to make sure the injury has not traumatized the permanent tooth underneath*
If the tooth is loose in its socket:
- If it is a baby tooth, we will evaluate and ensure it does not cause any damage to the underlying permanent tooth
- If it is permanent tooth, we may decide to hold it in place - with a wire - and recommend a soft diet
If the tooth is knocked out:
- FIND THE TOOTH!!
- If it is visibly dirty, wash it under cold water.
- DO NOT SCRUB. DO NOT TOUCH THE ROOT SURFACE OF THE TOOTH. Just hold the tooth under running water. It is important to keep it moist and the best way to do so is place it back into the socket it was lost from. If that is not possible then keep it in your child's or your mouth between the cheek and the teeth
- Try to get to us within 30min. If it is a permanent tooth we will try and place it back into the socket. The success rate is higher if done within 30min of the injury.
West Somerville Dental is always prepared to deal with emergency patients. Please give us a call and we will take care of you !
Take care and be safe!
Marhama Alvi DMD
Posted by Marhama Alvi on Wed, Jan 12, 2011 @ 11:47 PM
Do you use Yelp ?
Do you have an iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows 7 or Palm Pre device ?
If so, it's time to download the Yelp mobile app and check in to West Somerville Dental. New patients get a free gift for checking in !
http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-somerville-dental-associates-somerville
See you soon !
Marhama Alvi, DMD
Posted by Marhama Alvi on Sun, Jan 09, 2011 @ 11:10 PM
Recently Michael Douglas announced on The David Letterman show that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer. This condition got widespread attention - and everyone realized the importance of early detection.
Your dentist is your closest partner in detecting not only serious conditions such as oral cancer but also, other irregularities that could potentially harm your quality of life. Many unhealthy symptoms manifest themselves first in the mouth - so remember to brush your teeth well and visit your dentist twice a year!
West Somerville Dental encourages its patients (existing and prospective) to make an appointment and visit our dentists. We always do Oral Cancer screenings as part of our normal dental exam. Happy New Year everyone and see you soon!
Posted by Robert Linder on Thu, Dec 16, 2010 @ 10:54 AM
Two more weeks to use up your 2010 dental benefits - its time to book your appointment today. Most dentists January calendars are filling up fast. Give us a call today to schedule your 2011 dental appointments.
If you have multiple treatment needs, then now is the time to split your treatment over two calendar years. Have your root canal or tooth extraction in 2010 and your dental crown or dental implant in 2011. If you time it right, your appointments can be weeks apart, if not days.
West Somerville Dental will be seeing patients the week of December 27th. We are one of the few dental practices in Massachusetts that will be open this week to see our patients before year end. We know how important dental insurnace benefits are to you and we will do all we can to accomodate your needs.
For those of you who have recently been in for your 2010 dental treatment, we wish you Happy Holidays and look forward to seeing you for your cleaning in six months.
Best wishes,
West Somerville Dental Associates
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-0543
Posted by Robert Linder on Tue, Nov 30, 2010 @ 04:45 PM
I asked my kids at dinner last night what they wanted for Christmas. My seven year old daughter spoke first - "my two front teeth" she said. Yes, as a father of five under the age of 10, this request seems to happen every few years. Two down, and three more kids to go...and I suppose by then they will be in braces.
So why am I blogging about this other than the fact that it is cute. Well, the answer is simple - for adults who are not happy with their smile, and want two or four new front teeth through dental implants, dental bonding, porcelain crowns, dentures, or esthetic veneers. Seven year old kids are not the only ones who can get two new front teeth.
Case in point - me! A month ago I got got my adult braces removed. My teeth look great, I just had them whitening with the new Dash in-office professional teeth whitening system, and I am about to get esthetic bonding on my top lateral incisors. Before braces, I was afraid I would never have a nice white smile. In family pictures I would smile with my mouth closed. Not the case any more. In a week, my top teeth will look like Brad Pitts. Next, the body...but that is another story.
So how do you get started on your new teeth?
- Schedule an exam. Don't try to start guessing what you need until you see a dental professional. I work in dentistry and I thought I would need crowns or veneers on my top six teeth, and I was wrong. I actually don't need that much, and thanks to my dentist, I will be able to get my desired result while preserving my natural teeth.
- Consider orthodontics. It's hard for an adult to think about braces, but I can tell that the right Orthodontist can work wonders. I recommend Dr. Mo Rizkallah at Orthodontics at Davis Square in Somerville, MA. He worked wonders for me.
- Set reasonable expectations. Some teeth won't move, some teeth won't whiten, and some bone won't hold an implant. In most cases you can achieve your desired results, but don't get frusterated if your dentist tells gives you a few limitations in your treatment plan.
- Don't overdo it. Have you ever seen that person with teeth so white you need sunglasses to look at them. Exercise a little restrain when it comes to whitening...don't over do it.
- Start now. Don't walk away and say you will think about it. Just do it. Consider this, in two years you can look in the mirror and see the same teeth, or you can see your new smile. Which do you prefer?
You have 30 days until Christmas, so you might as well get started now. Remember, your i-pad and Nintendo Wii will go away, but you will have your teeth with you forever.
By Robert J. Linder
President & CEO
Dental Growth Partners, LLC
West Somerville Dental
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-0543
Posted by Robert Linder on Thu, Nov 25, 2010 @ 06:30 AM
Top 5 Thanksgiving Dental Tips
1. Crack nuts with a nutcracker, not your teeth. Many a man, woman, and child cracks a tooth over the holiday 
thinking their teeth are made of steel. Squirrels were made for that, not humans. Truth is, under that hard enamel shell is a very sensitive nerve running through a root surrounded by soft living tissue. Crack the shell, and I'm not talking about the nut, and welcome pain. Yes, cracking a tooth is an intensely painful experience resulting in the urgent need for a root canal and crown. Be smart, use a nutcracker.
2. Don't open beer bottles with your teeth. You may laugh, but a 
few years ago we had a patient come in with a cracked front tooth. We asked him how it happened and with some reservation, he smiled and told us the truth. "There was this party you see...and I wanted a beer...". You get the picture. $3,000 later we had him in a dental implant and crown with a new smile...which cost could have been avoided.
3. Yes, caramel popcorn balls are too sweet. Skip the caramel 
popcorn balls..."but how can I skip a family tradition", you say! Easy, munch on a single unpopped kernal of popcorn a little too hard and I bet the BCS championship you will end up in my dental chair. Crack the cusp of a tooth, crack a molar to the root - there is no dental challenge too hard for a carmelized popcorn ball.
4. Brush and floss your teeth after the pies. The single greatest cause of 
dental decay is food (usually sugar) left on or around the tooth. Brushing and flossing is an obvious solution, it removes excess food and cleans the surface of the tooth. But who remembers to bring their toothbrush and dental floss to a Thanksgiving dinner party, other than dentists. You do...or at least you should. Swing by our office and we will give each of your family members a FREE toothbrush and floss.
5. Don't bite candy canes. I know, it's not Christmas yet, but 
the day after Thanksgiving someone will whip out candy canes and start decorating your Christmas tree. Don't give in to the temptation to bite down on that candy cane. And just wait until next week when we blog about eating toffee with nuts.
And last of all, and most importantly, be thankful for your teeth and a health smile. And if you are not, give us a call and we will help you get a reason to smile.
By Robert Linder
West Somerville Dental
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-0543
Posted by Robert Linder on Mon, Nov 22, 2010 @ 06:30 AM
Dental offices will receive more emergency phone calls the day after Thanksgiving than any other day of the year. The number one culprit is a cracked tooth. The number one solution is a root canal and a porcelain crown.
Are You Thankful For Your Teeth This Thanksgiving?
Top Five Things To Protect Your Smile This Thanksgiving
- Eat nuts carefully. The #1 tooth cracker = shells on nuts. Make sure you remove the shell and bit into the nut carefully.
- Avoid sticky foods. Sticky foods like caramel can pull out fillings, dentures, and even crowns.
- Brush teeth after eating. The best way to avoid thanksgiving cavities is to brush your teeth after eating, especially after eating sweets.
- Floss after each meal. Remove the excess food from between your teeth to keep your gums healthy and prevent bacteria buildup.
- Drink lots of water. Water washes away sugars and bacteria and keeps your teeth and gums healthy, and prevents dehydration for those turkey bowl gamers.
Most dental offices will be closed on Thanksgiving weekend. To request a dental appointment during the holiday, please visit our website to make your dental appointment online.
And most importantly this Thanksgiving holiday, have fun and be thankful for a healthy smile.
West Somerville Dental Associates
124 College Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-0543