Do you experience discomfort when you brush your teeth? Or wince whenever you eat or drink something cold or hot because it sends a shooting pain through your teeth? If so, you are suffering from tooth sensitivity— a misunderstood, common dilemma. Many people believe that tooth sensitivity is an unavoidable and untreatable genetic problem. However, you can take steps today to protect your teeth and find relief from tooth sensitivity.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity occurs when tooth enamel wears down. Enamel is the thin outer covering of your teeth that acts as a shield to the inner parts of your teeth. If the enamel begins to erode, extremely hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks have access to the tiny tubules in the dentin, reaching the nerves in your teeth. Therefore, you might feel a sharp pain searing through your tooth. In most cases, you can prevent the erosion of enamel by taking care of your teeth, brushing gently, and avoiding sugary drinks.

How Can I Relieve Tooth Sensitivity?

If you experience tooth sensitivity, begin incorporating these six steps into your oral hygiene routine, and you’ll soon find relief.

1. Brush Gently: When you brush your teeth with a firm grip on the toothbrush and brush aggressively, you accelerate the erosion of enamel or cause your gum to pull away from your teeth and expose the nerves. Instead, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, making short, gentle strokes in an up-and-down motion. Check out this post for more information on proper brushing techniques.

2. Get a New Toothpaste: Look for a desensitizing toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval. This toothpaste contains a compound that helps prevent painful sensations from traveling from the tooth to the nerve. When used twice daily, you will notice reduced tooth sensitivity within weeks.

3. Avoid Acidic Drinks: Acidic foods and drinks wear away your enamel, so limiting them regularly will protect your teeth from sensitivity. This includes carbonated sodas, citrus-based fruit juices, and citrus fruits. Include citrus fruits as part of a meal. The other food products will lower the pH balance in your mouth and reduce damage to your enamel.

4. Use a Mouthguard: If you grind your teeth, you will wear down your enamel. Talk to your dentist about getting fitted for a mouthguard to wear while you sleep if you grind your teeth at night. If you tend to grind your teeth under stress, it’s crucial to practice mindfulness, meditation, or add a form of exercise into your routine to lower your stress levels.

5. Rinse with Mouthwash: Fluoride is found in most over-the-counter mouthwashes. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel and protect against tooth decay and cavities. After you brush your teeth, rinse daily with an ADA-approved mouthwash.

6. Visit Your Dentist: Sensitive teeth are a warning sign for more serious dental issues like a fractured tooth, worn fillings, exposed roots, or gum disease. If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, don’t wait to make an appointment at your dentist’s office. In fact, bi-annual routine visits will help protect your teeth from damage and reduce the risk of enamel erosion.

Make an appointment today at Atkins and Anderson, DDS if you have sensitive teeth and want to discover what the underlying issue is. Our family dentistry has been serving Bryan-College Station for decades. Contact us today with questions about tooth sensitivity or schedule an appointment for the whole family.

The lingering pain from a tight jaw often causes discomfort in other parts of your body like your head, neck, ears, teeth, or face. The pain may also oscillate between throbbing, aching, or severe. Typically, a tight jaw is a culprit of a jaw joint that suddenly locks, clicking noises in your jaw, or a limited range of motion when you try to open your mouth. Tightness in your jaw is not something you should ignore. In many cases, there are at-home remedies to reduce the pain and preventative measures you can take. However, a tight jaw may indicate a deeper problem that your dentist can address. Our team at Anderson & Atkins, DDS has answered the following questions to help you better understand the causes, remedies, and prevention tactics of a tight jaw.

What causes a tight jaw?

There are several reasons you may experience a tight jaw. If you have questions about any of the following causes of jaw discomfort, contact our office today.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD)

When the hinge joints of your jaw lock or are uncomfortable, TMD may be to blame. TMD also leads to feelings of tenderness or throbbing pain in your jaw while chewing or talking.

Stress

Many people tend to clench their jaw or hold tension in their jaw while under stress or anxiety. You can clench your jaw unknowingly while awake or asleep and only notice it when pain erupts from a tight jaw.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, often happens while you are sleeping. It can occur as a result of stress, genetics, or dental problems. Bruxism can lead to tightness in your jaw, headaches, earaches, or soreness in your face or neck.

Excessive Chewing

You may experience the sensation of a tight jaw if you chew gum, or another substance, regularly.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects muscles and joints in your entire body. Those diagnosed with RA often experience TMD, bone loss in the jaw, or damage in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues.

How can I relieve the pain associated with a tight jaw?

There are many ways you can reduce the tightness of your jaw—most can be done from the comfort of your own home. In some cases, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your dentist to address a bigger problem.

Stretch Your Jaw

You can stretch the muscles in your jaw and your jaw joint by trying a few simple exercises. One, place your fingers on the top of your front four bottom teeth. Slowly pull down, hold for 30 seconds, and then slowly release your jaw. Repeat several times to reduce the tension in your jaw. Two, slowly open your mouth as wide as you can and then gently close your mouth. Repeat up to 10 times to eliminate tension in your jaw and neck. Three, smile as wide as you can without feeling pain. While smiling, slightly open your jaw and inhale deeply. Exhale as you release your smile. Repeat multiple times to help relieve pain in your facial muscles and upper and lower jaw. It’s important to note that you should stop these exercises if you experience any pain.

Massage Your Jaw

You can increase the blood flow and reduce the tension in your jaw by gently massaging the muscles next to your ears. Open your mouth and rub the muscles in a circular motion multiple times a day.

Use a Mouthguard

A mouthguard can protect your teeth from grinding while you sleep. This prevents wear and tear on your teeth and jaw tightness. At Anderson & Atkins Dentistry, we can provide a custom mouthguard that is comfortable and effective.

Quick, Temporary Relief Tactics

You can apply a hot or cold compress to your jaw to temporarily relieve pain or take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce inflammation. While this provides quick relief, it is only temporary. If you continually experience a tight jaw, you may want to take preventative measures.

How can I prevent a tight jaw?

Preventing a tight jaw is possible. By making a few simple adjustments to your life, you can reduce two of the most common causes of a tight jaw.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day to reduce the tension in your body brought on by stress. Low impact aerobic exercises like swimming, walking, and dancing are also ways to improve your overall physical and mental health. Adding yoga or meditation to your daily routine can also minimize feelings of stress and anxiety and prevent your jaw from getting tight.

Avoid Overuse of Your Jaw Muscles

Removing certain foods from your diet can prevent you from overusing your jaw muscles. Foods like steak, taffy, raw carrots, and nuts often require excessive amounts of chewing. Instead, try foods that are softer or less sticky. You may also consider a sugar-free mint rather than chewing gum between meals.

If these at-home remedies don’t relieve the pain or tension in your jaw, call Atkins & Anderson, DDS today.

Sports are back! We know after the long hiatus due to COVID-19, your kids are glad to be playing again. However, it’s important to take precautions to avoid unnecessary injuries. Various reports note that sports-related injuries account for nearly 36% of unintentional injuries to children and teenagers. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that of those injuries, 10-20% are facial trauma. Dental injuries are the most common type of facial trauma—and the most preventable—according to The National Youth Sports Foundation for Safety. Athletes who do not wear mouthguards are 60 times more likely to experience dental injuries. If your child plays contact sports, he or she needs a mouthguard that fits correctly. Anderson and Atkins Dentistry is here to help.

Who needs a mouthguard?

Athletes need to wear a mouthguard when they play a sport where impact, contact, or collision is likely to happen. According to the ADA, those who play the following sports should wear a custom mouthguard: football, basketball, boxing, hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, martial arts, racquetball, skateboarding, soccer, water polo, acrobats, gymnastics, skiing, volleyball, and weightlifting. Some experts recommend that baseball and softball infielders wear a mouthguard as well. All are in agreement that athletes should wear a correctly fitting mouthguard during practices and competition. Contact sports put players at risk for breaking or knocking out their front teeth or damaging the soft tissue in their gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue. This is why wearing a mouthguard is important.

How do you choose a mouthguard?

There are three different kinds of mouthguards:

1. Stock

Stock mouthguards are pre-formed and can be purchased at a sports retail store. While they provide some form of protection, they are often bulky and uncomfortable. Some athletes find that this cheaper option makes it difficult to speak and breathe normally.

2. Boil-and-bite

These mouthguards come pre-formed from many athletic stores, but they are more comfortable and tend to fit better than the stock guards. Boil-and-bite mouthguards can be softened in boiling water. Once they are soft and malleable, the athlete can place the guard over their teeth and adjust the shape to fit their mouth.

3. Custom-made

At Anderson and Atkins, DDS, we want to give our patients a mouthguard that is not only comfortable but provides the best protection. This is why we recommend a custom-made mouthguard. With this option, your child will receive an individually designed mouthguard made from a mold of their teeth. A custom-fit mouthguard is durable, comfortable, and does not hinder speech or breathing.

How do you take care of a mouthguard?

Taking care of a mouthguard is crucial. Your child will need to rinse their mouthguard before each use and brush it using toothpaste and a toothbrush after wearing it. We encourage our patients to wash their mouthguards in cool, soapy water on a regular basis and allow it to dry completely before storing. Store the mouthguard in a ventilated container that will keep the mouthguard dry and protect it from bacteria. Replace the mouthguard immediately if it tears, breaks, or does not fit correctly. Encourage your child to bring their mouthguard to routine dental visits. Someone on our team will double-check the fit and condition of the mouthguard. Taking care of a custom-fit mouthguard will ensure it lasts a long time.

If your child plays a sport in Bryan-College Station that requires a mouthguard, contact Anderson and Atkins Dentistry and set up an appointment for a custom-fit mouthguard.  We’ll help you protect your child’s teeth and preserve their precious smile!

Mouthguards are an essential part of your uniform if you play contact sports such as football, basketball, lacrosse, or boxing. When you participate in these activities, your front teeth are at risk of breaking or getting knocked out. The soft tissue in your gums, lips, cheeks, and tongue are also at risk of injury if a mouthguard is not worn. They are also necessary if you grind your teeth while sleeping. In fact, nearly 20% of adults and one-third of children in America have bruxism—a condition which causes teeth grinding and jaw clenching. This can cause long term damage to your teeth and lead to headaches and jaw pain. If you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, you need a mouthguard that’s right for you.

What Kind of Mouthguard Do I Need?

There are three kinds of mouthguards: stock, boil-and-bite, and custom-made. Stock mouthguards are the cheapest of the three options because they come pre-formed and ready to go. However, they are often bulky, uncomfortable, and are known to make speaking and breathing difficult. Boil-and-bite can be found at most athletic stores. These guards are also pre-formed but can be softened in boiling water. Once it is soft, you can put the guard over your top teeth and adjust the shape to fit comfortably in your mouth. At Anderson and Atkins, DDS, we recommend the custom-fit mouthguard. These guards are individually designed from a mold of your teeth. The custom-made mouthguard will provide the most comfortable fit and the best protection. In most cases, a mouthguard is only needed for your top teeth. Dr. Thomas Long, the team dentist for the Carolina Hurricanes professional hockey team and private practice dentist says, “your top teeth take the brunt of the trauma because they stick out more while your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.” If made correctly, your mouthguard will be durable without hindering your speech or breathing.

How Do I Take Care of a Mouthguard?

You will need to rinse your mouthguard before each use and brush it with toothpaste and a toothbrush after it’s worn. On a regular basis, clean your mouthguard in cool, soapy water and then rinse it completely before drying. Storing your mouthguard correctly is just as important as cleaning it regularly. Store it in a sturdy container that is ventilated. This not only keeps the guard dry, but it also prevents bacteria from growing. Keep your mouthguard away from hot temperatures either in direct sunlight or hot water. Check the guard for signs of wear and replace it immediately if it is torn, broken, or ill-fitting. Both children and adults are encouraged to bring their mouthguard to their dental visits. During your office visit, your dentist can make sure the guard is in good condition, and still fitting properly. Because children and adolescents are constantly growing, their mouth is changing shape which requires more frequent adjustments to the size and shape of their mouthguard. Your mouthguard will last for a long time if you take care of it properly.

If you have questions about whether or not you or your child need a mouthguard, contact us at Anderson and Atkins Dentistry at (979) 846-1813. Your teeth are too important to overlook this simple solution! Set up an appointment today for your custom-fit mouthguard. You can also explore our website for more information about our general dental services and client reviews.