Grinding your teeth during sleep may be the result of stress in your life, that is manifesting itself subconsciously during the night. Alternatively it might be due to an interruption in bite caused by a change in the position of teeth. This is very common for patients who have recently lost teeth in an accident or due to decay.

Subconscious teeth grinding is known as bruxism and can result in painful jaw conditions called TMJ. It can also grind down tooth enamel causing major dental problems and very painful toothaches. When the enamel of a tooth is lost it can expose the very sensitive part of the tooth to the extremes of temperature experienced when eating and drinking. It can also expose the central part of the tooth to infection.

Bruxism can also be a major reason behind bad sleep and stress which in turn makes the situation worse. It is important therefore to see a City of London dentist if you or a partner grinds their teeth during sleep. Dentists can design and fit special mouth guards that prevent teeth grinding during sleep. They may also be able to restore your bite so that there is no muscular stress causing the grinding.

Bruxism or teeth grinding can be a hard and unpleasant habit to break but dentists are there to help you get the pain-free nights sleep you deserve.

Did you know that a dental implant could be the best option to replace a missing tooth? Dental implants are anchored to the jawbone itself to provide a realistic and tooth-like level of security rather than resting on the gum like other dental substitutions. An implant from a London dentist is therefore a more long-term solution to a missing tooth.

Missing teeth need to be replaced for a number of cosmetic and wider health issues. A gap in the dental arc can be the cause behind dental infections and decay, bite problems and painful jaw conditions such as bruxism and TMJ. Replacing the tooth as soon as possible is always a good idea to prevent it causing you any further dental complications.

Statistics in the UK show that over two thirds of adults over the age of forty have lost at least one tooth to decay or accident. By the age of 75, a quarter of all people have lost all their natural teeth. More temporary or unfixed solutions such as dental bridges and dentures can perform a cosmetic role but they are really only band-aids for the actual missing tooth. A dental implant actually strives to replace the whole structure of the tooth for the patient’s peace of mind and to remove the need for messy adhesives. Dental implants are also so strong that they do not inhibit the eating of certain tougher foods that can be the case with more fragile substitutes.

A dental implant comes in the form of a small titanium screw that is drilled into the jawbone through the gum. Given time, the bone and gum tissue will fuse to the implant making it solid and ready to receive an artificial tooth. When this is attached, the patient will have the secure feeling of a real tooth that is only achievable with anchored dental implants.

As dental technology improves with the increased use of computer aided design and manufacture dentists are able to achieve more realistic and lifelike results. One aspect of dentistry that has significantly improved over recent years is the manufacture of dentures. In the past dentures have often been poorly made and fitted and at best only partially lifelike. Perhaps because of this, dentures always seemed to have a stigma attached and were often a source of great embarrassment for wearers. Fortunately this seems to be becoming a thing of the past, relegated to the dental dustbin.

Dentures are required when a patient has lost some or all the teeth in a dental arc. This could be due to periodontal disease or tooth decay, or even as the result of some kind of head trauma. Whatever the cause, tooth loss can be very embarrassing causing several psychological issues such as loss of confidence or self-esteem. But missing teeth affect more than just a patient’s emotional state. Missing teeth in a dental arc can cause remaining teeth to lean or slide into the space. This can cause disruption in bite which can be irritating and even be the cause of painful jaw disorders called TMJ.

Cosmetically, teeth act as supports for much of the facial tissue which will sag if not held in place by teeth. This sunken appearance makes patients look much older than they are and can become permanent if the teeth are not replaced soon after they are lost.

Dentures are artificial sets of teeth that, if fitted correctly should stay attached to the gums by suction alone. Often, if dentures are ill-fitting they can fall out causing embarrassment to the wearer. Many patients resort to wearing sticky and messy dental adhesive gels or strips for extra security. It is now possible to attach dentures using a series of mini implants secured to the jawbone. This provides the added security hat denture patients need without the mess.

It is important for denture wearers to keep up regular visits to the dentist as dentures can cause gum irritation and even erosion that can be very damaging. A London dentist will be able to offer further advice about the benefits and possibilities of dentures.

TMJ, or Temporomandibular disorder to give it its full name affects the major bones and muscles of the jaw and some in the skull (this area is commonly known as the temporomandibular joint). This part of the head is responsible for talking, chewing and biting and, as such, any disorder that affects these essential and every day functions can be pretty irritating. Sufferers of TMJ experience symptoms that cover the whole spectrum of pain, from constant to intermittent, and can last for many years.
It was previously thought that TMJ was caused solely by stress but recent research has shown that there may in fact be other causes. Teeth that can cause interference with the jaw or the bite can cause misalignments to happen in the temporomandibular joint which causes pain and irritation. It is also now believed that patients who receive jolting trauma to the head or face might suffer from TMJ as a consequence.
Unfortunately for sufferers, the main and most usual symptom of TMJ is pain. This occurs for the most part in the neck, jaw and face but may also occur in the ear causing temporary hearing loss. The easiest way to test for TMJ is for your London dentist to conduct a clench test. If one or more of your teeth hurt when clenched fully then you may be suffering from TMJ. If the dentist suspects TMJ they will the then be able to carry out a further assessment of your bit and jaw movement.
Some temporary relief form TMJ can be found using hot or cold packs, but this is often little more than palliative at best and does little to address the underlying cause. TMJ can only be effectively treated when fully diagnosed by a dentist. TMJ is curable with the right treatment so if you think you might be suffering, make an appointment to see your dentist.

Having one or more missing teeth can really affect your confidence to smile. More than that, it might be adversely affecting your bite (the way the top and bottom teeth sit together). In more extreme circumstances, it can cause speech impediments, increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay, and joint disorders such as TMJ.

It is also important to have missing teeth bridged to prevent existing teeth sliding into the space causing poor alignment and ultimately a poor profile. Dental also bridges protect against gum disease

One of the answers to missing teeth is a dental bridge. Dental bridges use artificial implants anchored to existing teeth to give the impression of a continued tooth line. The most common form of bridges are: the conventional bridge, where crowns are attached to teeth either side of the gap supporting the artificial tooth (like a bridge); the bonded bridge, when the adjacent teeth are in such good condition that the new tooth can be bonded to them with resin and metal strips; and the cantilevered bridge, when there are existing teeth on only one side of the gap. In the case of cantilevered bridges, the bridge will need to be attached to two or more teeth for stability.

Dental bridges can be fitted in two or visits to the dentist and if properly maintained will last between five and seven years. Their cost will vary according to the condition of the existing teeth and the type of bridge required by the patient. There is no need to suffer the embarrassment of missing teeth. Ask a London dentist about dental bridges.

There are certain ailments that we tend to ignore in the initial stages owing to the negligible effect they have on our daily activities. Hence it is natural that you overlook the popping sound every time you move your jaw. If the sound is accompanied by a frequent bout of headaches, neck or facial pain then you better rush to your London dentist.

The ailment is known as TMJ and is very painful when compared to the other dental ailments. There are several nerves that run through your face and the pain you experience might be owing to the damage in some other area. There are several possibilities that your dentist will have to eliminate to reach to his conclusion and hence you must be patient enough to put yourself through the series of tests he prescribes for you.

The first step of any dentist towards treating TMJ is detecting the source of the pain. This is because the pain can arise due to several factors and it is only after certain number of tests that the dentist can rule out the others and zero in on the actual problem. Once the problem is determined, your dentist may suggest the use of a mouth guard to prevent the teeth grinding phenomena. Misaligned teeth are also one of the possible reasons of the pain you are experiencing and therefore you may have to use braces for sometime to correct the teeth alignment. Most people run refrain from using dental aides owing to the uneasiness it causes. But now the dental aides are so sophisticated that you will not realize that you are wearing one.

So if you are getting recurring pain in the mouth, it is time that you visit your dentist.