One of the most commonly afflicted gum diseases that people suffer from across the world is periodontitis. The periodontal disease infects your gums, which is caused by bacterial growth in your mouth. Once the infection starts progressing, it can impact the teeth and gums severely. Generally, people with poor oral hygiene routine, such as irregular brushing and flossing habits, are more susceptible to periodontitis. If left untreated for long, it may even result in tooth loss. Additionally, in some rare cases, periodontal disease can even lead to complications with the heart. Among the most common signs of periodontal disease is swelling in the gums, i.e., gingivitis. Other symptoms of periodontitis are bleeding gums, bad breath, and shifting teeth among others.

However, there is nothing to worry about, because there are different treatment options available for fighting periodontitis. But, in case you think you have a bacterial gum infection, then you should immediately opt for gum disease treatment in Cypress, TX.

At Emmy Dental, we follow a detailed process for treating periodontal disease, from a correct diagnosis to properly grading the infection stage.

Planning and Root Scaling

In periodontitis, a person suffers from gum bleeding along with plaque deposits on the teeth, which is caused by bacteria in the mouth. A dentist first removes the layer of plaque from the teeth using specialized dental instruments. Second, he or she smoothens the rough edges on the teeth’s surface for preventing bacteria to grow further.

 Treating Teeth Pockets

In some cases, gums surrounding the teeth become loose and gaps get filled with food debris leading to an unclean pocket area. Thus, the dentist needs to reduce the surrounding pocket area, which is called the pocket reduction process that comprises the removal of bacteria causing the oral infection. Lastly, the dentist folds the gum tissue and smooths the area around the damaged teeth. This is necessary to ensure that the gum tissues are re-attached to a healthy portion of the teeth.

Gum Grafting

Dentists use gum grafts to cover up exposed tooth roots caused by receding gums. A dentist obtains gum tissues from your palate for covering the exposed roots. Gum grafting is an important step of the periodontitis treatment as it helps in protecting your teeth from disease-causing bacteria along with reducing sensitivity.

Bone Regeneration

Dentists opt for bone grafting for some periodontal cases. This is for patients whose original tooth bone is completely damaged by the bacteria and need help with bone regeneration. In this surgical process, dentists remove the bacteria and plant a new bone, artificial or natural, in place of the damaged/infected bone.

It is difficult to deal with periodontitis without proper treatment. Thus, you should always consult a dentist for periodontal therapy in Cypress, TX, before the oral infection progresses and leads to tooth loss.

Do you often experience headaches and jaw pain during the day? Do your teeth ache and your temples throb? If so, you could have a teeth grinding disorder called bruxism.

Teeth grinding is a serious issue that poses a threat to your dental health and overall comfort. Nobody wants to walk around with teeth grinding-induced migraines all day! Here’s what you need to know about this dangerous habit and how you can stop it.

Signs and symptoms of nighttime teeth grinding

Nighttime tooth grinding is tricky to identify because it occurs when you’re completely unaware of the behavior. Since chronic clenching and grinding puts so much pressure on the muscles, tissues, teeth, and other structures around the jaw, symptoms can be felt long after the grinding stops and you get out of bed.

A few of the most common bruxism symptoms include the following:

• Jaw pain and stiffness
• Sore gums
• Sensitive or broken teeth
• Clicking jaw joints
• Chronic dull headaches
• Earaches
• Flat, short, or blunt teeth surfaces

If you sleep in the same bed or room as another person, you can ask that person to listen for sounds of grinding overnight. The scraping sound of teeth grinding over each other is usually disruptive, unpleasant, and easy to hear.

The damage caused by nighttime teeth grinding

Chewing food, talking, smiling, and feeling confident are all made possible by a full and healthy set of teeth. Bruxism threatens the health of your teeth by wearing them down, sometimes to stumps. When your teeth become fractured, loose, or damaged, you may find yourself needing bridges, crowns, implants, or even dentures in order to save your mouth and reduce your pain.

In addition to the direct damage to your teeth, bruxism also can lead to tension headaches, facial pain, and a condition called TMJ disorder that is defined by problems with the jaw and facial muscles. All of these problems cause enough pain to interrupt your daily activities and create unbearable suffering.

The exact cause is unknown, but it’s believed that stress and anxiety play the biggest role. Other causes of teeth grinding in Cypress, TX include excess consumption of caffeine, snoring, sleep apnea, crooked teeth and a misaligned bite.

What to do if you suffer from bruxism?

If you experience one or more symptoms of bruxism, you should contact a dentist near you for teeth grinding. Your dentist can provide you with a custom night guard to relieve the pressure on the teeth. In some cases, your dentist near you may also suggest orthodontic treatment for proper jaw alignment.

Most teeth grinding cases can be fixed with a custom mouth guard in Cypress, TX. When you wear the night guard, they act as a barrier between the upper and lower jaws. Even if you grind or clench your teeth during the night, the guard serves as a cushion for the muscles and lightens the tension. This protects your enamel while preventing any jaw or face pain.

While you can find night guards over-the-counter; the fitting will not be very effective to ease your muscles. A custom-fit mouth guard by a dentist will ensure maximum effectiveness and highest quality. Plus, if you have a misaligned bite or a missing teeth, an over-the-counter night guard will not fit snuggly and can be uncomfortable too.

If you grind your teeth and want to put an end to those headaches and jaw pain, contact us today! At Emmy Dental, we will thoroughly examine your bite and provide you with a custom mouth guard. Contact us for the best dentist for teeth grinding in Cypress TX today!