Do Straws Help or Hurt Your Teeth?

If you have drank a beverage, there's a solid chance you have used a straw, although, there is some debate as to whether or not straws are helpful or hurtful- especially for your dental care! In this blog we are going to be discussing some of the pros and cons of using straws, and let you decide for yourself- do straws help or hurt your teeth?

Read more below and make the decision for yourself and find out what the best dental office in Missouri thinks!  

Pro: Straws Prevent Stains

Straws can prevent staining on the front of your teeth, as what you are drinking isn't hitting directly onto your teeth. Drinks such as soda, coffee, and tea can cause teeth discoloration, which no one wants! Straws are an easy way to help prevent the discoloration, protecting your smile! 

Con: Lip Wrinkles

A con of using straws are that they can inadvertently cause wrinkles to form around your mouth, given the face shape you have to make in order to drink your beverage. Granted, this con isn't something that will happen from using a straw just a handful of times, but rather if made a habit of using straws on a consistent basis. 

Pro: Accessible For Everyone

The good thing about straws are that they are accessible to most people, including those who may have swallowing or motor disorders, which can limit the ease of drinking a beverage. Straws can be useful during these instances as a tool to help when grabbing a glass and drinking just isn't an option. 

Con: Straws Can Stain the Back of Your Teeth

So, we know this contradicts our first pro of using straws, but it is an unfortunate truth that no matter what you drink, there is always a chance it will discolor your teeth, it is just in this case you may end up with the back portion of your teeth stained instead of the front. The best way to avoid staining is to keep your straw towards the back of your mouth to help prevent any contact with your teeth, and making sure you have a consistent brushing schedule. 

There are quite a few pros and cons when it comes to drinking with a straw, but realistically, these cons don't have to be a reason to entirely stop drinking with a straw. Ultimately, if you stick to moderation, schedule routine dental appointments, and develop a healthy dental routine, your smile should be safe, regardless of straw usage. 

To schedule your next dental visit, go to our website at www.accessdentalanddentures.com!

Teeth Grinding: Causes and Treatments

Do you find yourself waking up with a sore jaw? Headaches? Maybe your teeth are more sensitive than normal? You may be suffering from teeth grinding or bruxism, and it is no joke! There are plenty of reasons why people start grinding their teeth, such as physical, psychological, and even pre-genetic factors, but our team at Access Dental wants to go over a few causes and also list a few dental treatments in MO, that you can seek to help with grinding your teeth. 

To find out more about the causes and treatments of bruxism- keep reading below! 

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

Of course, there is no one straight answer here, as teeth grinding can occur for a multitude of reasons and tend to differ from person-to-person. Some of the more commonly noted reasons for why teeth grinding occurs are:

-Stress/Other Psychological Factors

-Sleep Apnea

-Acid Reflux

-Tobacco, Illicit Drug, and Alcohol Usage

-Caffeine

-Genetic Factors

The Impact of Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding can lead to a whirlwind of problems, including sore jaw, headaches, sensitive teeth, broken or chipped teeth, and even TMJ- which is when the muscles of the jaw are prevented from chewing/opening and closing properly, leading to a clicking sound and discomfort when trying to chew, talk, etc. 

As one can imagine, the impacts of teeth grinding can be detrimental in one's daily life, as the pain and discomfort can grow to an unbearable breaking point, which is when it is probably best to visit your local Missouri dentist office to get a check-up. 

Treatments for Teeth Grinding

Luckily, teeth grinding can be treated both at home and with the assistance of a dental professional. Some of the more common treatments include:

-Medication: Typically this will include a form of muscle relaxers to help ease your jaw and prevent grinding throughout the night. If you take antidepressants, your dentist may recommend a switch to one that does not cause bruxism, or if you aren't currently on medication, your dentist may recommend trying an antidepressant that does not have the added risk of teeth grinding.

-Behavior Changes: One way to help prevent and put a stop to your teeth grinding is finding out the behaviors that may be contributing to your teeth grinding and work with a professional on breaking those habits. 

-Bite Guards: Bite guards are a great way to help begin the process of stopping teeth grinding, as the guard prevents the damage that your teeth would otherwise be receiving.

-Being Aware: Now, when you sleep, you won't be able to notice if and when you are grinding your teeth, but when you are awake, it is important to stay cognizant about whether you are grinding, and if so, learning to unclench and relax your jaw. 

Of course, you can always reach out to your local dental office in Missouri and get other recommendations as well! 

Teeth grinding can be a real pain for both your teeth and your physical and mental wellbeing. But, now that you have a better understanding of the causes and treatments of bruxism, you know what to look for. 

If you have any questions, or feel like you need to see one of our dental experts at Access Dental, then please reach out to us on our website, www.accessdentalanddentures.com.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

How to Treat Gum Disease

A little under 50% of Americans over the age of 30 struggle with some form of gum disease on a daily basis. Gum disease causes inflammation, pain, and bleeding of the gums, which, as you can imagine, can be very uncomfortable when trying to brush one's teeth. 

Luckily, gum disease does not have to take over your life and can be treated at home or at your dental care office in Missouri! There are quite a few different treatments, but today we will be covering just a few that we feel are the most beneficial in treating gum disease. 

Floss, Floss, Floss

Although brushing needs to be your number one priority, flossing is right up there with importance! Especially when discussing the matter of gum disease. Plaque builds up in those hard to reach places between your teeth. Your teeth and gums will be helped immensely by flossing a minimum of one time a day, as the nasty bacteria that can build up can be broken down and removed before causing any permanent damage. 

Brush Two Times a Day

As mentioned in our previous tip, brushing should be your number one priority when trying to treat gum disease. Be sure that when you are brushing you are using a soft-bristled toothbrush, as to not irritate your gums. In addition to this, don't brush your teeth so hard! You can tear away at your enamel, which weakens your teeth. 

Brushing your teeth between meals can also help prevent plaque from building up throughout the day. But, be sure to brush before you go to bed, as this is the most imperative time to do so. Your teeth will be spared from getting attacked while you sleep throughout the night, which is a good thing for both your teeth and your gums!

Visit Your Dentist

This tip is always one you need to take to heart, as ensuring you are maintaining regular dental check-ups is vital to ensuring the well-being of your dental health. At Access Dental, we go out of our way to make sure that the dental care you receive is the best quality. Providing your dentist with the knowledge of any gum issues you are having, allows for a better way to go about treating, as not every gum disease can be treated at home and may require medical intervention.

Taking care of your teeth and gums should be a top priority, as the discomfort and potentially dangerous side effects can impact your life in a variety of ways. Gum disease does not have to be permanent, and can actually be reversed when discovered and treated early enough. 

If you have noticed pain, swelling, or bleeding when brushing, it may be time to schedule your next dental visit at your nearest dental office in Missouri. To schedule online, check out our website at www.accessdentalanddentures.com

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn