Bruxism can be serious if not treated and monitored effectively

Tariq Drabu is a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon based in Manchester. He is the owner of the Langley Dental Practice where they cater to NHS and private patients providing a high quality service that patients can rely on and trust. Tariq Drabu advised that he sees hundreds of patients each year who are completely unaware that they have bruxism and are damaging their teeth in the process.

Bruxism

Bruxism is tooth grinding and is very common in people of all ages from young children to seniors. Often this tooth grinding is done when the person is under stress. The problem is, according to Tariq Drabu, unless the person lives with someone or shares a room with someone, they will never know they have this condition as they grind while sleeping.

Molars

Tariq Drabu advised the most common teeth to be affected by bruxism is the molars. Grinding takes place rubbing the top and bottom molars against each other and in turn, wearing them down. Over time the teeth wears down, the enamel or worn away and the teeth can become sensitive.

In addition to this, with this condition, patients can experience jaw and neck pain. Often the only sign patients realise that they may suffer from this condition is a tight jaw on waking.

Medications

Tariq Drabu did mention that in some instances paints will need to take medications to stop them from grinding. This is decided by the dental practitioner and the patient. The medication is not long term and can be highly effective in reducing the risk of grinding and thereby improving the condition of the teeth in the long run.

Mouth Guards

At Langley Dental Practice they make a mould of their patients mouth. The mould is worn at night, according to Tariq Drabu. So while it doesn't stop the grinding, it does eliminate the damage caused as a result of bruxism.

Special Needs

Tariq Drabu did mention that recent studies have shown that certain children with special needs are at higher risk of bruxim and he recommends that all children attend their routine dental appointments so the dentist can identify if tooth grinding is taking place and put a treatment plan in place to help the patient preserve their teeth in the long run.

What You Didn't Know About Oral Health

Tariq Drabu, the owner of the successful Langley Dental Practice, has advised that there are numerous people who are surprised when they hear certain facts about oral health. It is imperative that everyone understands the importance of oral health and what they can do to maintain healthy teeth and gums at all times.

Uniqueness

Everyones teeth are unique, very much like your fingerprint. Tariq Drabu advised that teeth have been used to identify victims in various crimes around the world.

Enamel

Tariq Drabu advised that enamel is the hardest substance in the body. Enamel is the hard outer coating that protects in the inside of the tooth, which is home to he blood vessels and nerves. Enamel also doesn't regenerate, so in the event you manage to get a cavity, which is a hole in the enamel making its way the delicate dentine, it will not regrow, which is why you need to have a filling to close the hole and eliminate any sensitivity you may be experiencing as a result.

Diet

The food and drink you consume does have a direct impact on your oral health. Sugared drinks and foods are one of the leading causes for tooth decay in the United Kingdom, according to Tariq Drabu. Acidic and sugared foods are so dangerous to oral health, while crunchy fruits and vegetables and dairy products, rich in calcium are an excellent way to maintain good teeth and gums.

Sugar free gum

Tariq Drabu recommends that you keep a pack of sugar free chewing gum with you at all times. After eating you cannot always brush your teeth, but chewing on sugar free gum removes bacteria and food debris and cleans the teeth effectively without the harmful sugars that can eat away at the tooth enamel.

Don't rinse

Brushing is one of the most important steps to effective oral health. From the toothpaste you use to how you hold your toothbrush. One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to effective tooth brushing is that once they finished brushing they rinse their mouth out with water.

In fact, Tariq Drabu has advised that toothpaste contains fluoride and you want to keep that on your teeth for as long as possible. After brushing spit out any remaining toothpaste and don't rinse for effective results.

Effective Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease is a serious concern throughout the United Kingdom, according to Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon. Tariq Drabu is the owner of the successful Langley Dental Practice catering to private and NHS patients on a daily basis.

 

Tariq Drabu and his team provide effective periodontal treatments to patients with this severe bacterial gum disease. Periodontal disease forms pockets between the gum and the tooth which allows bacteria to get access to the supporting structures of the tooth. Over time, if periodontal disease is ignored, it could lead to tooth loss.

The focus of the periodontal treatment is to provide a gum treatment and treat the supporting structures of the tooth. This gum disease is preventable with a good oral heath routine at home which should comprise of brushing twice a day for a minimum of two minutes per brushing. Use a fluoride toothpaste and focus on each individual tooth, also brushing along the gum line. Floss should be used between the teeth to remove any plaque or debris.

Scale and Polish

The first treatment provided by Tariq Drabu and his team to patients presenting with periodontitis is a scale and polish. This professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar build up. Tartar is a hard but sticky substance that catches bacteria, helping them gain access to the tooth and eliminating the ability to remove them effectively.

The teeth will be scraped of any plaque and tartar and then professionally polished to leave them clean.

Root Surface Debridement

Root surface debridement is carried out under local anaesthetic due it requiring that the dentist cleans the gums and below the gum line. The dentist numbs the gum line and then effectively cleans the gums and under the gum line to remove the bacteria that is causing the gum disease.

Antibiotic Therapy

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection and in most instances any treatment provided by Tariq Drabu and his team will also require antibiotic treatment to stop the bacteria and to give the gums a chance to heal.

Tariq Drabu did mention that while the treatments are effective, long term oral health at home is important to reduce the risk of getting this gum disease again in the future. He also recommends that patients who have had periodontal disease never miss their routine dental appointments to ensure that their teeth and gums remain healthy moving forward.

Top Remedies to Use on Your Toothache Right Now

Tooth sensitivity is a frustrating and sometimes unbearable pain. In many instances you will find your toothache will start late at night, on a bank holiday or in the early hours of the morning, when you have to wait to get a dentist appointment.

Tariq Drabu, the owner of Langley Dental Practice and a leading dentist and specialist surgeon advised that before you start looking at remedies, Use a piece of floss and clean around the tooth, check there isn't anything stuck between your teeth which may be causing discomfort. Another solution is to rinse your mouth with salt water, this will fight any infection which may be developing. The last suggestion is to brush your teeth, focusing around the painful tooth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride protects the enamel of the tooth, the hard outer covering.

Remedies you have at home

Ensure while you experience pain that you rinse with salt water a couple of times each day. Use warm water so not to make any sensitivity worse. Rinse thoroughly around the tooth to help fight infection and also reduce swelling while you wait to see your dentist.

If you have cloves in your kitchen cupboard, you will find that they are highly effective in reducing pain. Simply place the clove on the tooth and bite down. It isn't the most pleasant of tastes, but it is highly effective in reducing pain for a short period of time. Of course, cloves are a natural solution, so you can bite on the clove right up to getting to the dentist.

You may want to consider buying some clove oil for future tooth pain you or your family may experience from time to time. Clove oil can be purchased at your local pharmacy and is a concentrate of cloves. Simply use a piece of cotton wool or a Q-tip and place a small drop of the oil, then place on the tooth and bite down to relieve the pain.

Interestingly, something you may never have thought of is using bread. Brush your teeth well and rinse with salt water. Then take a small piece of bread, without the crust, and roll into a small ball and place over the sensitive tooth. The bread helps to plug any tooth decay you may have, thereby helping to minimize pain until you get to your dental appointment.