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Have you started thinking about your New Year’s resolutions yet? I know I have. As hard as they are to make and stick to, it is a tradition that I think helps us look toward the new year as an opportunity for change and improvement. That’s why I often encourage my patients to make their smiles part of their New Year’s resolutions. Here’s how:

Four Tips to Get Your Smile Healthy and Keep it That Way

• Keep up on your dental visits. Not only do cleanings keep your teeth and gums feeling good, it gives my Holland dental team more chances to keep an eye on your oral health and stop problems before they get serious. That saves both your teeth and your wallet.

• Get serious about your oral hygiene routine. Your smile doesn’t only allow you to talk and chew. We sometimes forget that it is directly connected to the rest of your body. That means that your mouth is an easy way for bacteria to get into your bloodstream. In fact, if you have gum disease, your risk for everything from heart attacks and cancers to low birth weight babies and tooth loss goes through the roof.

• Don’t just eat for your body, eat for your smile! You know that sugary foods or refined carbs can be bad for your overall health. They can also be bad for your smile. Acidic drinks like sodas and sports drinks can too. Try eating more crunchy fruits and vegetables, drinking green tea and coconut water, and eating foods high in  calcium and phosphorus to protect tooth enamel and even help remineralize them.

• Feel self conscious about your smile? Do something about it this year! The truth is, even elective procedures like whitening or veneers can have health benefits. Feeling confident helps you move through the world with more power – and that can make you smile more, release more endorphins, and even stick to your New Year’s resolutions more effectively!  

Why not schedule a checkup and cleaning with my Holland dental office today? We’ll look at what is going on in your mouth and we can discuss your needs. Then all you have to do is sit down and plan how to keep the rest of your resolutions! I’d love to help my Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland  neighbors feel better about themselves in 2016!

You wake up with a headache most mornings. Your tongue looks weirdly scalloped. Your teeth have hairline fractures and look shorter than they used to. What is happening while you sleep? It could be bruxism, otherwise known as unconscious clenching and grinding. If it is, you really need a nightguard.

What Exactly is a Nightguard?

A nightguard works almost exactly like a sports mouthguard – it protects your teeth and prevents painful damage. It is small and portable and most patients find them very easy and comfortable to wear. In fact, most of our patients love them because of the relief and peace of mind they offer.

The Symptoms of Tooth Grinding and Clenching

While all of these do not necessarily indicate that you are bruxing or grinding at night, they are a pretty good clue! If you experience any of the following symptoms, please give my Holland dental office a call:

• Worn, chipped, broken teeth
• Flattened tooth surfaces
• Exposure of tooth layers and loss of enamel
• Tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain
• Headache and facial pain
• Earache from jaw muscle tension and contraction
• A scalloped tongue or irregular tongue edges
• Damaged mouth tissue

Bruxism can also cause micro fracturing and sensitivity at the gum line, and it can even lead to chronic headaches and TMJ disorder. Not something we want our patients to deal with – ever!

Why am I Grinding my Teeth?

It can be hard to pinpoint the cause: It might be a result of a car accident or other injury. Sometimes chronic stress or medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, can trigger bruxism. Other times it is caused by poorly balanced dental work or missing teeth. Whatever the cause, if you clench or grind your teeth, you could be facing a long list of dental problems, including the painful effects of TMJ disorder or arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.

Let Us Help

I’d love to help you protect your teeth and let you get a truly relaxing night’s sleep. At my dental office in Holland, my team and I can fit you with a custom-made nightguard appliance that will reduce the damage to your teeth and protect your dental investments! If you think you might grind your teeth at night, call us today!
We welcome patients from Holland, Saugatuck, and Zeeland.