Waking Up With Headaches? Here's Why...

If you wake up with a sore jaw, have chronic headaches or even have fractured teeth, you might be grinding your teeth without even realizing it. Most people are not aware of the fact that they grind (or brux) their teeth until they see their dentist who can pinpoint the symptoms. If you have been told that you are grinding your teeth, you might find yourself wondering why. Of course every case is different, but there are a few reasons that commonly occur.

Grinding Your Teeth Will Hurt Your Smile

1. Stress – If you are under a lot of stress it can come out at night.  When your muscles clench, it is a natural reaction to grind your teeth. 
2. Mouth Irritations – Whether it is teeth that do not line up perfectly, or another dental issue occurring in your mouth, you could end up grinding your teeth together at night to deal with the irritation.
3. Allergies or Colds – If you are uncomfortable from allergies or a cold, you might grind your teeth at night to deal with the discomfort.
4. New Dental Work - If you've recently had a filling or crown placed, your teeth may not line up anymore, and your mouth will constantly be adjusting to find the right "bite" again resulting in grinding.

There are several ways to deal with bruxism, including visiting your dentist to get fitted for a mouth guard. If you prefer to do something less drastic, you can try including relaxation methods into your daily routine and find ways to manage your allergies to avoid chronic grinding. Unfortunately, if you are subjected to grinding your teeth, you might not be able to prevent it from occurring 100 percent, but decreasing the amount of time that it occurs can help your overall dental health.

Concerned About Your Sore Jaw?

If you are regularly experiencing a sore jaw, or regular headaches and need relief, please give us a call! Dr. Snodgrass regularly works with patients who are experiencing bruxism, or teeth grinding, and can work with you to fit a custom nightguard and relieve your pain.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Baby - Part II

Last month, we wrote Part I of a post about awaiting the arrival of your new baby, and some of the risks of your oral health. There are two other oral health "red flags" to be aware of during your pregnancy.

Sensitive Teeth

Some women experience morning sickness including vomiting during their pregnancy, which on its own is unpleasant, but the side effects could be even worse. The acid in vomit can cause the enamel of your teeth to erode. The enamel erosion could cause you to have sensitive teeth as well as be more prone to tooth decay.

To help prevent this erosion, we recommend drinking water to flush your teeth and waiting at least 15-30 minutes after vomiting before brushing your teeth. This allows time for the acid in your mouth to subside and be washed from your teeth with water and saliva, helping you avoid "brushing off" the enamel.

Pregnancy Tumors

Some women experience pregnancy tumors. These puffy areas of the gums are typically non-cancerous, but can be painful or uncomfortable for you. Pregnancy tumors are inflammatory reactions to an irritant like plaque, and can bleed and become unsightly to some women, causing them to refrain from eating, smiling and talking. 

It is very important to see your dentist while you are pregnant. Dr. Snodgrass will be able to ensure that your teeth remain healthy, as well as determine if you are prone to or suffering from any pregnancy induced oral health issues. 

Do You Have A Dental Concern?

If you have an area of dental concern that you would like Dr. Snodgrass to evaluation, please contact our office by visiting our website or calling us at (360) 524-4377.

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Baby - Part I

Pregnancy and awaiting the arrival of your baby can be an exciting time, but it can wreak havoc on your oral health. Your body goes through many hormonal changes, as well as physical changes that could affect the health of your mouth more than you may realize.

Gum Disease

Worried about gum disease? Visit our office today!

The largest risk to your mouth during your pregnancy is the risk of gingivitis and gum (periodontal) disease. The hormones that are created to keep your baby safe can put you at higher risk for pregnancy- induced gingivitis. If you don’t already have gum disease, this condition is usually temporary, and usually appears between the second to eighth month of pregnancy. Keep up with your home care by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily, as well as getting your professional cleanings. There has been some studies linking gum disease to premature births, so speak to your dentist about what you can do to if you have gum disease and reducing your risk of complications.  

Need a pre-natal dental checkup?

We recommend visiting the dentist several times during your pregnancy so that Dr. Snodgrass can monitor your dental health as your body changes and hormonal levels shift. We find that many dental insurance plans offer extra visits for expectant mothers, so these additional visits are affordable as well. Call us today at (360) 524-4377 to schedule your pre-natal checkup.

Preventive Care for Dental Health Month!

Visit your dentist regularly to prevent future pain!

Contrary to popular belief, your dentist is there for more than knocked out teeth and toothaches. The right dentist can help with proper preventive care to help keep your mouth healthy and to help prevent more serious issues from occurring.

Every 6 Months

You should be visiting your dentist a minimum of every 6 months. This allows Dr. Snodgrass to fully inspect your teeth and gums to ensure that there are no issues that you are not aware of yet. When you let conditions with your teeth get out of hand, resolving the . By keeping your twice yearly appointments, you can keep your mouth healthy and your pain to a minimum.

Why Is A Comprehensive Visit So Long?

When we schedule our New Patient visits, we allow for plenty of time with Dr. Snodgrass. Not only does it allow us to learn about you and your individual needs, it allows us to create a baseline with which to compare your mouth to each time you visit. At your initial New Patient appointment, your Vancouver dentist will perform x-rays and other routine procedures to assess what is normal for your individual mouth. On subsequent visits, Dr. Alan Snodgrass will be able to determine if anything has drastically changed.

Immediate Assistance

Of course, if you have any issues that require immediate dental assistance, you should not delay in calling our office. Anytime you experience pain, bleeding, a lost permanent tooth, a lost filling, or anything out of the ordinary, you should call us right away.

Special Offer for Family & Friends of Thurston Oaks Dental!

Here at Thurston Oaks Dental we work hard to ensure you have an exceptional experience during your visit. Whether you are coming to us for the very first time or have been a patient for many years, it is our hope that you feel confident referring your friends and family members to our office. We count it an honor to receive a referral from one of my patients; knowing that you trust in the care that we provide is the ultimate "Patient Review".

Refer a Friend

This month we're kicking off our We Love Our Patients! program to show you how much we appreciate positive, constructive feedback, and let you know that we want to recognize those that take a few extra minutes to Refer A Friend or leave a review of their experience with our practice.

Free Gift!

In all of the excitement of kicking off a new program, we have a new patient offer that we're sharing! Each New Patient that takes mentions our New Patient Offer will receive an electronic toothbrush as a thank you for visiting Thurston Oaks and making us your new dental home!

Pick up a brochure.

You'll see some new signs and brochures around the office, on Facebook and our website, and throughout the community. We hope that you will take a few minutes to tell a friend about your experience here at Thurston Oaks Dental and give us the opportunity to Thank You!

Sincerely,

Dr. Alan Snodgrass and the staff of Thurston Oaks Dental in Vancouver, WA