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Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful? | Yorba Linda Dentist

Bruxism is the excessive grinding of the teeth and/or excessive clenching of the jaw, often caused by stress or an abnormal bite and can be very damaging to your teeth and jaw. But don’t worry – your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard needed to protect your teeth during sleep and develop a long-term solution to your teeth grinding issue.

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times, people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night. You dentist can also examine your jaw and abnormalities with your teeth.

Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, result in hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.

There are lots of things you can do to prevent bruxism, including exercise, meditation or medication.

Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include:

  • Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate and coffee.
  • Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.
  • Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food and avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching.
  • Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth.
  • Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

For more information about bruxism, call Dr. Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Andrey Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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The Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer | Yorba Linda Dentist

When we hear the word cancer, we are always sent into a state of shock. Here in America, someone is diagnosed with oral cancer every hour of every day. Because there are so many factors that can contribute to developing oral cancer, knowing some of the signs and symptoms you should keep an eye out for can help to diagnose the problem quickly and find some type of treatment. While you can’t diagnose yourself, if you find that you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your dental professional to get a proper examination.

Lumps and lesions. If you notice red or white sores on or inside your mouth, it’s important to see a dentist as they will have difficulty healing, making it a perfect bed for bacteria, etc. Finding lumps or swollen areas in your throat or cheeks can cause painful issues closing your mouth.

Dysphagia. Dysphagia, or problems swallowing, will not only cause problems breathing but can also cause you to contract infection. If you feel a lump in your throat, or you find you are losing weight because of issues swallowing, make an appointment.

Numbness. Any numbness in the mouth or chin is cause for concern, so if you find this is a new constant, it’s time for an examination.

Tooth loss. If you find that you have loose teeth for no apparent reason, you may be developing early signs of oral cancer. Tooth decay and gum disease are signs you may be subject to oral cancer in the future, so see a dentist asap.

Bad breath. There are many reasons you have bad breath. If you find that it is a chronic problem, seek advice from your dental professional. 

For more information about oral cancer, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Choosing Clear Braces over Traditional Braces | Yorba Linda Dentist

When deciding to straighten out your smile, it is important to weigh out all the options because they are not the same animal. If you’re an adult, you may think that traditional braces are a bad idea because of the lack of discretion. If you are an active individual, you may find traditional braces to cause issue while active. Sure, both versions will make your smile look fantastic, but not everyone is a candidate for the clear aligners.

Since 1998, products like Invisalign and Clear Correct have been aesthetic alternatives to the typical tooth-straightening option. Both of these products can now straighten your teeth without wires and glued brackets. Using clear aligners, you can achieve your dream smile even if you have misaligned, crooked, or gapped teeth. But only if your flaws are fairly subtle. Unfortunately, if your flaws are extensive, traditional braces will be the ideal option because trays won’t be able to straighten major flaws.

For the record, you are less restricted than with traditional braces, but there is some maintenance involved. In order to ensure that your clear aligners are in good condition, keep the following care tips in mind as you use the system:

  • Wear your aligners at all times, except when eating, brushing, and flossing. Failure to wear your aligners will prevent your teeth from becoming straight.
  • Avoid gums and caramels at all times. The chewy material will instantly ruin your aligners.
  • Avoid placing your aligners in places that are too warm because this could potentially damage your aligners.
  • Clean your aligners often. Aligners should be gently cleaning with a toothbrush and soap in cool water.

For more information about braces, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Root Canals: Why? | Yorba Linda Dentist

If you ask any average American what they fear most about going to the dentist and chances are, they will respond root canals. It’s true. Most patients assimilate root canals to lots of pain, and they dodge coming into contact with them as much as possible. Unfortunately, this isn’t by continuing proper dental hygiene, but by avoiding dental appointments. The problem is, avoiding the inevitable isn’t going to help your cause. In fact, by dodging the dental chair, you are likely making more of a mess than you realize. Because root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is absolutely necessary when the nerve of the tooth is infected due to exposure to bacteria.

Because the buildup of bacteria is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene, it is essential to maintain excellent oral healthy by brushing, flossing, and using mouth rinse. Although poor oral health is one of the main reasons for root canal therapy, failing dental restorations and cracked teeth also allow bacteria to leak inside the tooth and infect the nerve. Not only will this situation cause excruciating pain but will result in root canal therapy to treat your condition.

So, what is the easiest way to prevent endodontic treatment and root canal therapy?

The answer is simple. Proper dental care and regular dental visits. Scheduling regular visits will ensure that your teeth are thoroughly examined for any signs of decay or other dental predicaments. Avoid undergoing the painful symptoms of endodontic problems and consult about preventing root canal therapy.

For more information about root canals, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Do My Migraines Mean I Have TMJ Disorder? | Yorba Linda Dentist

Nothing is worse than a really bad headache. If you are one of the many patients that deal with migraines, you are on an entirely different level. As many as 1 in 4 homes has someone that suffers from these painful migraines, which is probably why migraines are rated among the most disabling medical illnesses in the world. The problem is lots of times, it isn’t a migraine to be dismissed. It could be something that may be caused by one of your temporomandibular joints, or TMJ.

If you are unaware, TMJ is the joint where your lower jaw is attached to your skull, so you have TMJs on both sides of your face. Problems related to said joints are classified as TMJ disorders. Common examples of TMJ disorders are frequent migraines, having trouble sleeping and difficulty closing and opening the mouth. TMJ may also result in a number of other problems, including:

Once identified, alleviating the pain caused by TMJ is simple. A mouth guard will be recommended while you sleep and any time you find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth. Massage or relaxation therapy will help alleviate your need to tighten your jaw, thereby relieving some pain. And your diet will change your diet to decrease the need for chewing and an increase in calcium and/or magnesium intake.

For more information about TMJ disorder, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.

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Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Could Be the Answer to Your Receding Gums | Yorba Linda Dentist

Not only is gum disease a common occurrence one will experience in our lives, but gum recession is a significant problem for many patients. Not only is it visually unpleasant, but the exposed root is subject to more rapid decay, which weakens the tooth and jeopardizes the health of your tooth going forward. Unfortunately, treatment for gum recession wasn’t a pleasant experience. Traditional gum recession treatment involves taking soft tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafting it into the gum line – a procedure that is time intensive and requires significant recovery. But as time went on, an alternative method was developed – Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, a procedure that differs from traditional recession treatment in three important ways:

No grafts, no sutures, or incisions. While the procedure is surgical in nature, it is far less invasive and virtually pain-free.

Faster recovery time. In many cases, the patient can eat normally later in the same day and resume normal activity the day after. Overall discomfort is noticeably less, as there are no uncomfortable sutures to irritate the mouth.

Quick and easy. Typically, this means less expensive to perform, with comparable results to the more involved surgical procedure.

Regardless of the cause, whether it’s periodontal disease, natural aging, or aggressive brushing, the pinhole surgical technique is beneficial to getting your smile back on track. The simple, fast procedure can quickly address the recession, protect the root of the tooth and give you a nicer smile without an invasive surgery. Instead of avoiding your gum recession, get it taken care of with pinhole gum rejuvenation.

For more information about Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.

Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.