Basics of Bruxism

Do you constantly wake up with jaw pain? Do you catch yourself clenching your teeth in the middle of the day? If you’ve answered yes to one, or both of these questions, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental would like to discuss bruxism with you. Bruxism is a condition in which a patient grinds, gnashes, or clenches his or her teeth during sleep. Because this condition can cause damage to surrounding teeth, it is usually treated with a night guard.  

Mild bruxism may not require treatment, but severe bruxism can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, and damaged teeth. If you experience increased tooth sensitivity, jaw soreness, or tight jaw muscles, you may be considered a “bruxer.” For a proper diagnosis, it’s best to visit our doctors at Chapel Street Dental where you will receive personalized care for this problem.

If you have questions or concerns regarding bruxism causes and treatment, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

What is Halitosis?

If you are feeling self-conscious because your breath has been less than fresh, it’s time to review your oral care habits and perhaps your lifestyle habits as well. Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, is something that mouthwash, mints, and chewing gum won’t solve. Additionally, tobacco use and a poor diet will only contribute to foul-smelling breath. If you are embarrassed by your bad breath, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental.

It is one thing to have bad breath after eating a meal that is heavy on the onions, but it’s another thing to have bad breath that persists for a long period of time. If quick fixes are only disguising the odor, you should visit one of our doctors to get the situation under control. To prevent chronic bad breath, you should brush thoroughly at least twice a day, for two minutes. Don’t forget to floss between the teeth to remove the leftover food particles that are causing your breath to stink.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Sectioning Teeth

When patients need teeth extracted, they can count on Chapel Street Dental. Although it is always our desire to prevent a tooth from needing to be removed, there are times when the wisdom teeth threaten the push all the other teeth out of alignment. To make their removal easier, we sometimes cut them into sections.

The wisdom teeth are the largest teeth and have multiple roots clinging to strong ligaments. Teeth are usually removed by being rocked back and forth while being pushed with an elevator tool or grasped with forceps, but this may not work with wisdom teeth. Yanking them may require an unsafe amount of force and they may be caught under the gum line. Instead, they are cut into sections using a dental drill. The patient is numb during this and the incision site is bathed in water continuously to prevent it from overheating. When the teeth have been broken up, they may be lifted out with less force and without incisions needing to be made into the gum line. There is also less risk of a tooth breaking accidentally.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Acid Reflux and Teeth

The team at Chapel Street Dental highly values preventive care, which is why we want to educate our patients about the dangers of acid reflux. This disease can have a devastating effect on the body, teeth included, but we can help fix the damage.

Stomach acid is so strong that the stomach secretes special mucus to protect itself. When that acid escapes upward into the esophagus, it burns as it goes. This is what causes the sensation called heartburn. When the acid reaches the mouth, it erodes the enamel covering the teeth, leaving them more sensitive. If a patient experiences acid reflux twice a week or more, they are said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These people’s teeth are eroded so much they appear to become glazed before developing tiny pits.

Patients can prevent acid reflux by reducing their intake of citric acid, onions, garlic, fried meat, and alcohol. They would also do well not to eat before lying down. We can also provide fluoride treatments that will better protect their enamel and repair damage the teeth have already incurred.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Don’t Neglect Your Tongue

When you brush and floss your teeth, are you giving your tongue the attention it needs? Our doctors at Chapel Street Dental encourage you to look in a mirror after reading this to see what color your tongue is. If you notice that your tongue is white, this is due to a layer a bacteria that has planted itself on the tongue and won’t go away until you clean it. A tongue scraper is a powerful tool to implement into your oral care routine, allow us to explain why.

A tongue cleaner, or a tongue scraper, is a device that is designed to clean the coating on the upper surface of the tongue. Regardless of how you clean your tongue, doing so will improve bad breath and the overall health of your mouth. Tongue scrapers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but you, if you don’t wish to invest in one, brushing the tongue, works just as well.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene or oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Dangers of Dental Plaque

Plaque is constantly forming on our teeth, especially after the meals we eat. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that can cause periodontal disease and cavities if not adequately removed by brushing and flossing. If you take your finger and scrape your nail against your enamel, do you notice any plaque? If so, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental encourage you to brush it away to avoid its consequences.

When we eat, plaque uses the sugars in food to produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel. If plaque isn’t brushed away, it can harden into tartar which only our team of hygienists will be able to remove. As the plaque and tartar buildup increase, gum tissue can become red, swollen, and may bleed when you brush your teeth. To avoid the dangers of dental plaque, it’s critical to brush at least twice a day, floss at least once a day and visit us twice a year for professional cleanings.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene or oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Research into Filling Failure

At Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, we apply the latest medical research toward preventive care for our patients. Recently, scientists examined some of the causes of dental filling failure, and we wanted to share them with our readers in order to emphasize the importance of regular check-ups.

Fillings generally last for ten years. Some of the most common factors in people whose fillings failed early were alcohol and tobacco use. The study only examined male smokers, but it found they and people of both sexes who drank alcohol had a higher chanced of filling failure after just two years. The scientists were surprised to find that filling failure also seems to run in families and they speculated about a genetic reason for this.

There was also a lot of positive news. The study found that white resin bonding does not have a higher failure rate than the old amalgam fillings. This is good because white fillings are generally thought to be better looking and to be unaffected by changes in temperature, which some people complain about with metal fillings.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Oral Cancer and Alcohol

Dentists are a vital part of the care team for oral cancer patients. At Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, we want to help our patients understand how to avoid this disease and how to care for themselves if they do get it, which is why we’re sharing new research linking oral cancer to alcohol.

According to the study, conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, 5-6% of all new cancer cases, including cancers of the throat and oral cavity, are attributable to alcohol. This was one of the first studies to examine alcohol separately from smoking, which was already known to be one of the most common causes of oral cancer. One of the most concerning findings of the study was that most people are unaware that alcohol raises their risk for cancer and that it interferes with the success of chemotherapy.

The study provides evidence that even moderate drinkers are at a higher risk for oral cancer. It did not matter what type of alcohol they consumed. However, the study also found that when people gave up drinking, their risk of oral and throat cancer declined to the level it had been out before they started.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

National Children's Dental Health Month

Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? Each year, the American Dental Association decides on a theme for our child education programs, and this year’s is how to use fluoride toothpaste.

The most common children’s oral health problem is caries: the bacterial infections that secrete acid and damage tooth enamel, resulting in cavities. Fluoride shields teeth against acid, which is why we provide fluoride topical treatments during cleanings. It is important for children to develop a habit of brushing their teeth regularly since this will serve them well their entire lives. Although their baby teeth will fall out, pain from decay can interfere with their sleep, eating, and speech development, and make them more irritable and easily distracted.

Children, and everyone else, should brush for two full minutes during each session. They should use soft-bristled toothbrushes and be sure to brush on every tooth surface, and on the tongue. Fluoride toothpaste should be spat out after use because absorbing too much of it could cause the teeth to become discolored.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Don’t Neglect Your Tongue

Most of us have been brushing and flossing our teeth for many years. If done correctly, and practiced frequently, we should be brushing our teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. Though our doctors at Chapel Street Dental suggest brushing your tongue, not everyone practices this method and we are here to tell you why you should.

After you’ve given your teeth a good scrub, it’s time to focus on your tongue. At a minimum, you should clean your tongue once in the morning, and once at night before you go to bed. It’s just fine to brush your tongue with your toothbrush in a circular motion, but it’s even better to invest in a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a tool that is made of soft, flexible plastic, that gently peels away the layer of bacteria that food leaves behind. Using one can help you keep foul odors out of the mouth and leave you with fresher breath.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene or preventive dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is the term used for any regular teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. Stress can intensify bruxism, but it is most often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth.  Some teeth grinders consciously grind their teeth and clench their jaw, but some only do so while asleep and may not even realize it.  Waking up with a dull headache or experiencing pain and stiffness in your jaw are signs you may be grinding your teeth overnight, and shouldn’t be ignored.  Patients who continually grind their teeth often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals and implants. In severe cases tooth loss can occur, and partial or complete dentures may be needed.  Chapel Street Dental offers custom night guards to help patients overcome the negative effects of bruxism.

Night guards resemble mouth guards worn by athletes, but serve a different purpose. A dentist uses an impression of your teeth to ensure a custom fit, and the night guard is manufactured in a dental lab. Wearing a custom night guard protects the surface of the teeth, and also properly aligns the jaw to improve breathing and sleep. If you think you a custom night guard could help you, please contact us.

To learn more about night guards and all the services we provide, visit Newhavendental.care for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Crowns

Dental crowns are a common way to restore damaged teeth.  The doctors at Chapel Street Dental use crowns to repair teeth that have been chipped or have a significant amount of decay.  Our natural-looking crowns fit right over a damaged tooth like a little cap. These crowns restore function to a patient’s teeth and blend perfectly with their smile. 

The process for installing a crown can usually be completed in two visits.  To prepare the tooth your dentist will remove any decay, and may need to reshape the remaining tooth to ensure a great fit for the new crown.  Once the tooth has been prepared, your dentist will take an impression of the area.  This impression is sent to a dental lab where the crown is fabricated.  Ask us about temporary options to wear while your new crown is being made.  Once your custom crown is made, the crown will be cemented into place by your dentist at a second appointment.  Our crowns blend right into your natural smile and can last a lifetime!

To learn more about restorative crowns and all the services we provide, visit Newhavendental.care for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Our doctors at Chapel Street Dental understand that accidents happen. Being informed about what to do in case one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth. If you or your child experience some sort of trauma to your mouth for whatever reason, please give us a call immediately. Meanwhile, in the midst of a dental emergency, utilize these tips to ensure a smooth recovery. 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it between your cheek and gums, or use a tooth preservation product that has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance.


• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.


• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.


• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between teeth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental emergencies, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Soft Tissues Care in Winter

This has been a brutal winter for New Haven, and at Chapel Street Dental, we want to make sure our patients understand how to care for their mouths in cold weather. The health of the lips and other soft oral tissues are connected to dental health, so we’ve made this guide on how to avoid chapping and dryness.

One of the most important things to know is that wetting the lips causes them to dry out faster as the moisture evaporates. Long, hot showers will cause them to crack more easily and tucking them under the teeth will irritate them. If done as a habit, it could also cause the teeth to become misaligned. Lip balm works by sealing in moisture, but some fragrances and common ingredients, such as menthol, cause inflammation in some people, so it is a good idea to check the label and switch to a different product at the first sign of redness or pain.

Cold air contains less moisture, so a person who suffers from dry mouth will have worse problems in the winter. Because dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay and other oral infections, this is something that needs to be taken care of. Throat moisturizers can provide protection, as can humidifiers placed in bedrooms, offices, or other places where people have to spend long periods.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Stress and Tooth Loss

You’ve probably heard that stress is bad for your health, and at Chapel Street Dental, we want you to know that your oral health is no exception. Although we can treat tooth damage, patients need to understand the effects of stress so they can take preventive action.

Stress harms the mouth through inflammation and by triggering destructive behaviors. People who are under prolonged stress have weaker immune systems. Less able to fight off bacterial infection, they are at risk for gingivitis, which causes the gums to bleed. Periodontal disease, the more advanced form of gingivitis, causes erosion to tooth roots and their supporting bone structure.

Besides the hormonal effect, stress is also responsible for harmful attempts at self-soothing, such as jaw clenching and nighttime teeth grinding (called bruxism). The increased pressure on the teeth can cause them to crack, and in the worst cases, they can even break. It can also cause them to migrate. While psychological counseling may be necessary to deal with the root cause of bruxism or inflammation, we can still provide our patients with some protection. Night guards prevent the jaw from moving while the wearer is asleep, and we provide periodontal therapy to combat gingivitis.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Bad Breath in Children

We hope that none of the children at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven are ever embarrassed by bad breath. Halitosis isn’t just bad for their social lives. It also indicates an oral health problem, which is why we’re here to help.

Bad breath is the result of bacterial build-up. There may be an underlying medical issue, but usually, the child needs help with their hygiene habits. Brushing the tongue is just as important as brushing the teeth. The back of the throat can be cleaned with non-alcoholic mouthwash. Sometimes, if the child suffers from nasal drip, the discharge may be caught in the back of the throat and feeding bacteria. Because children are prone to sinus infections, this happens to them frequently, but it may also be necessary to have them tested for allergies.

Some medical conditions which contribute to bad breath are dry mouth and diabetes. Dry mouth allows larger bacteria build-up because saliva is one of the body’s defense mechanisms, while diabetes makes it harder for the immune system to fight off infections in general. If medications are contributing to a child’s halitosis, it may be worth trying to find alternatives.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to the next stage of periodontal disease and that is periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is a little more challenging to treat, as it requires a deep cleaning of the gums. Periodontitis, like gingivitis, begins with plaque. If your oral care routine is inadequate, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental are here to help change that.

Periodontitis is preventable and treatable but the best way to avoid it is through prevention. As this stage of gum disease progresses, you may notice swollen and irritable gums, gums that feel tender when touched, persistent bad breath, and receding gums. When gums recede, the only way to restore the tissue is through a gum graft. We hope that your oral care habits never become this bad and encourage you to visit our office twice a year for routine dental exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Gingivitis

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink when you brush and floss, this is a common sign of gingivitis. You can prevent gingivitis by practicing proper oral care habits such as brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. If you floss your teeth every day for one week, you’ll notice that the blood will disappear. Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be reversed but our doctors at Chapel Street Dental would rather you take preventive measures.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene habits. Perhaps you find any excuse you can to avoid brushing your teeth in the morning, afternoon, or before bed. Gingivitis can cause swollen and puffy gums, dark red gums, bad breath, and gums that bleed easily. The best thing you can do in addition to improving your oral care routine is to visit us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Seniors and Tooth Decay

Chapel Street Dental in New Haven is here to provide for the oral health needs of people of all ages, including seniors. Many people know that children are the age group that is most at-risk for tooth decay; most dental hygiene educational materials are aimed at them and discuss how sugar can cause teeth to become abscessed and develop cavities. But lots of people don’t know how common untreated dental decay is in seniors. The Center for Disease Control estimates the frequency is one in five.

There could be many reasons for this. Some seniors become forgetful or have difficulty brushing and flossing because their hands are less dexterous. Some are suffering from dry mouth as a side effect of medication and don’t produce enough saliva to wash away food debris or maintain their teeth’s protective membranes. They may have also switched to softer foods which get trapped in their teeth more easily or stopped getting cleanings as regularly if their dental coverage was reduced.

What most seniors have in common is that their oral health was not always as bad as it is now, implying they know the importance of oral hygiene but are unable to maintain it. The good news is that we can help with all of these problems. Our services start at low prices and we can direct our patients to superior home dental products that will compensate for other problems they may be experiencing.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.

 

Diabetes and Gum Disease

We highly value preventive care at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven. Gum disease is a common ailment, particularly among people with diabetes, which is why we want them to be aware of the importance of oral hygiene.

Infections in the gum pockets cause gum disease. There are always some bacteria between the tooth root and the gum, and there is always a thin, sticky layer, called plaque, which sugar gets trapped in. Inflammation, or gingivitis, occurs when there is a large amount of sugar and a lot of bacteria feed on it and produce acid. The acid gets trapped in the plaque, irritating the gums.

People with diabetes have a harder time fighting off infections in general, and when their blood sugar level is uncontrolled, oral bacteria will multiply more rapidly and produce more acid. If gingivitis is not treated, it could progress to periodontal disease. At that point, the patient’s gum, tooth, and jaw bone structure would all be in peril. This is why diabetes patients should take special care to maintain regular appointments for deep cleanings and scaling and be especially vigilant about brushing and flossing when their blood sugar is high.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.