All posts by Alan Zabolian

Side angle woman smiling apple watch on wrist, earpods in ears, pulling up hood

Importance of a Healthy Smile

Teeth Whitening,

There is nothing more stunning than a big, bright smile. A happy smile is a healthy smile, which is a sign of a healthy person. You may not think about how often you use your mouth for things, but it is truly one of our most dependable assets. Below we go over the importance of a healthy smile.

A healthy smile allows you to eat, chew, breathe, and swallow without a problem. Not to mention, a dazzling smile can be a huge boost in confidence. A good smile can even influence the people around you!

A good smile goes far beyond just looks, however. A healthy smile is important for the health of your entire body, especially your teeth and gums. Check out some of the biggest benefits of having a healthy smile, and visit your dental clinic downtown Los Angeles locations to invest in a healthy smile for life!

Importance of a Healthy Smile: Reduce Risk of Disease

Did you know that a healthy smile means you are protecting your mouth against certain diseases? By taking care of your teeth, you are preventing a buildup of bacteria that can make way for rot and decay.

If bacteria is left on the teeth for too long, it will contribute to the buildup of plaque and tartar – dangerous substances that can cause infection. Ultimately, the bacteria can get into your bloodstream, wreaking havoc on the rest of your body.

The most common oral disease is gum disease, which has symptoms of bleeding, enflamed, and receding gums. Not only is this disease painful for you, but it also puts the rest of your body and your immune system at risk.

By brushing your teeth and checking in with your dentist for regular cleanings, you can avoid this harmful disease.

Keeping Healthy Teeth

You want to keep your teeth for life, don’t you? By investing in daily oral health habits, you can keep your teeth healthy and strong for a lifetime.

You should also think about your everyday eating habits. Do you consume a lot of sugar? If so, you might want to cut back, since sugar adds to the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Without maintaining your teeth, they will fall into decay. Decay and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. After that, you will need dental implants or a bridge in order to use your mouth as normal.

HealthScope Magazine recommends making a daily oral health routine so you can keep the threat of gum disease at bay. For best results, you should:

Quit smoking.

Tobacco use is one of the highest contributors to oral health problems. Tobacco can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and even rot.

Brush your teeth twice a day.

Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristle and you are using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. This will help strengthen your teeth and keep them healthy!

Get rid of sugar.

Try not to eat as much sugar as you normally do. You’d be amazed how much healthier your teeth will be without it!

Start flossing.

If you don’t floss when you brush, perhaps it’s time to start.

It is not difficult to maintain healthy teeth, but it is something you should commit to for life in order to have a healthy and happy smile.

Take Care of Your Smile and Feel Good Inside and Out!

A healthy smile is a sign of so many positive things. Good physical health, great oral health, and an amazing sense of self-confidence. Happy smiles aren’t just good for your appearance, but for your whole body.

It’s important to visit your local cosmetic dentist downtown Los Angeles at least twice a year for regular cleanings. That way, your dentist can keep an eye on the state of your teeth and get rid of any problems before they occur.

Your smile is something that you will carry with you for life; make sure to take good care of it!

Woman smiling in dentist chair, holding dental veneers

How to Care for Veneers

Dental Veneers, , , , ,

Dental veneers are by far the most popular and most pain-free cosmetic dentistry procedure in today’s society, and for good reason. These thin covers can not only protect your front teeth against outside damage and harm, but they can also reform the aesthetics of your mouth to give you a perfect, straight, pearly white smile. Knowing how to care for veneers is important to maximize their benefit.

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we want patients to stop feeling like they have to constantly cover their mouths when they speak or smile. As a top dentist in Downtown Los Angeles, we provide the best of service. Our porcelain veneers can be applied easily through an affordable procedure.

But once your veneers are installed, you need to take care of them properly so they can last you a lifetime. They should be cared for and maintained just like your regular teeth. Below, you’ll find a few of the best tips for taking care of your new porcelain veneers. This is one of the best ways to enjoy a perfect smile!

Get the Right Toothbrush

A soft toothbrush is best for your porcelain veneers. If the bristles on your toothbrush are too hard, you can risk damaging the veneer and even ruining the enamel on your natural tooth. Veneers have a fine polish on them that makes them shiny and perfect, so scrubbing too hard will wear this polish down.

Don’t Chew Hard Things

Your porcelain veneers are set up to last you for a very long time; however, that does not mean they are invincible. Unfortunately, your veneers are susceptible to getting chipped or damaged if you frequently chew on hard things. Objects that shouldn’t typically go in your mouth, such as plastic lids, fingernails, and pencils, are definitely off-limits.

Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Do you have a case of bruxism? This is the scientific word for grinding or clenching your teeth often. If you do, you can put your veneers and your natural teeth at risk. According to Colgate, grinding your teeth can have a severe impact on your health. If this is a habit you just can’t nip in the bud, then you are putting yourself at risk for your veneers and your entire body.

Speak with a dental professional about bruxism and possible treatment solutions to help you stop grinding your teeth. A Nightguard may be a good option for you to prevent your teeth from wearing down on each other while you sleep.

Don’t Eat Foods That Stain

Some food and drink substances tend to stain your teeth. For example, dark chocolate, soda, coffee, and tobacco are some of the biggest culprits. They can cause your teeth to become dark and discolored. Unfortunately, veneers are not immune to the discoloration process, and they are just as easily stained as your natural teeth are.

To avoid yellowing or darkening the edges of your new porcelain veneers, stay away from food substances that are dark or sugary.

Take Regular Care of Your Teeth!

Without proper dental hygiene, you put yourself and your mouth at risk of developing a myriad of health issues. Not to mention, your teeth just look better when they are well taken care of. Your veneers are an investment, and to get your money’s worth. You want them to last a long time. Don’t stop brushing and flossing every day for the better health of your teeth. Veneers require regular cleaning just like your teeth do. And trust us when we say your smile will thank you for it!

Take Care of Your Oral Health Today

Porcelain veneers are affordable and beautiful solutions to correcting a misaligned or discolored smile. If your front teeth need a little sprucing up, you may benefit greatly from our porcelain veneers. At Samaritan Dental Arts, we take pride in our ability to provide patients with healthy, happy smiles. Schedule your consultation with us today and see what cosmetic dentistry options are available to you!

Young girl dentist checkup dental instruments, girl smiling front angle

Importance of Oral Health Care for Your Child

Pediatric Dentistry

Watching your baby grow and develop is one of the most exciting things about being a parent. During this transitional time, it’s important to pay special close attention to your child’s teeth. Oral health care for your child should become a part of your daily habits even before the teeth start to grow in. And when they do, they need special attention and care.

Children’s teeth go through a lot of changes in the first few years, and it is good to stay appraised of the status of your child’s oral health. At Samaritan Dental Arts, pediatric dentistry is extremely important to us. We pride ourselves on being a top dentist in Downtown Los Angeles. Allow us to give you the best tips and tricks for your child’s oral health. Keep reading below!

When to Start Teaching Your Child Oral Health

When is it too early – or too late – to start helping your young one brush and floss their teeth? It is a good idea to instill good habits into your child as soon as you can. Although primary teeth are different from adult teeth, they are still just as susceptible to cavities and decay. Not to mention, children often eat copious amounts of sugar, even if they are on a healthy diet. According to the CDC, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of children between 6 and 19 years of age.

Thankfully, cavities are easily treatable and preventable. Here are some habits you can start teaching your child as soon as they start developing teeth:

  • Help your child brush their teeth twice a day, and teach them how to do it on their own once they are old enough.
  • Purchase fluoride-heavy toothpaste to support more enamel and stronger support for the teeth.
  • Encourage a healthy diet in your child and keep them away from sugar and other corrosive substances.
  • Schedule a Samaritan Dental Arts appointment for you and your little one every year, or every six months, depending on your needs.

It’s no secret that impressing the importance of hygiene on a child will have positive results. Children are quick to absorb the information you teach them, so be sure to get a head start when showing them how to care for their mouth for the first time.

When Oral Health Begins

Oral health should start entering the conversation about your child’s health from a very young age. In fact, from the moment your child’s first tooth grows in, you should start thinking about caring for their teeth. Unfortunately, babies can suffer from tooth decay just as frequently as adults can, and it is important to examine their teeth often as they may be too young to express when their teeth are hurting.

Without giving your baby proper and consistent dental care, your child can run into more severe dental issues down the line. For example, untreated tooth decay can lead to tooth pain, inflammation, infection, gum disease, and trouble living day-to-day. No matter how old (or young) your child is, you need to make consistent dental care an essential part of their life. Remember that good habits start early, and it’s never too soon to start putting your child on the path to good health.

Seek Friendly Dental Care for You and the Whole Family!

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we provide friendly and comprehensive family services for all of our patients. We recommend that you start scheduling annual exams for your child starting as soon as their teeth begin to grow in. As we’ve explained, oral health care for your child should be a high priority. If you or your child are experiencing issues or complications, please get in touch with us online or give us a call at 213-986-2933 to schedule an appointment right away. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

Invisalign tray suspended in clear water solution in glass

How to Clean Invisalign Trays

Invisalign, ,

There are many benefits and perks of having Invisalign aligners in comparison to traditional metal braces. But if you don’t spend time properly cleaning out your Invisalign trays, they won’t make all the necessary changes to your teeth, and your investment in Invisalign may end up being a waste. Knowing how to clean Invisalign trays is crucial.

Prevent wasting your time and money by taking good care of your Invisalign trays. Cleaning them is easy, but it is important to clean them regularly. Below, our downtown Los Angeles Samaritan Dental Arts pros highlight the best ways to clean your Invisalign aligners, giving you the full extent of benefits that these miraculous clear aligners can bring.

Clean Your Invisalign in the Morning – and the Evening

Get into the habit of cleaning your Invisalign trays first thing in the morning. During the night, while you sleep, bacteria love to build up on the surface of your teeth – even if you are actively wearing your aligners. This is the same reason it’s a good idea to brush your teeth first thing in the morning – wipe away that layer of bacteria so it can’t cause an infection!

Clean your aligners in the morning by rinsing them with water. The Invisalign website recommends cleaning your aligners and your trays thoroughly each morning and evening. You can use water and a soft brush to scrub them gently, or you can use recommended anti-bacterial soap in addition to water.

Never soak your Invisalign trays in mouthwash. The chemicals may damage the tray and the aligners and distort them so they no longer fit.

Soak Once Per Day – And Brush Your Teeth

You should always brush and floss your teeth while your aligners are out. When you soak your aligners, which you should do once a day, you should also be caring for your natural teeth.

We recommend soaking your aligners in a denture cleaner or the Invisalign crystals that you will receive when you are fitted for your Invisalign aligners. It’s essential to soak your trays once per day to prevent the buildup of bacteria that can come from leftover food particles in your mouth.

Never leave your Invisalign trays out. Make sure to store them in their proper case when they aren’t being used; again, this is to prevent a buildup of bacteria.

One more thing – when using a soft toothbrush to clean your aligners, make sure it is not the same toothbrush that you use on your teeth.

Cleaning Your Invisalign Aligners – What NOT To Do

Learning the proper way to clean your aligners is easy, but you also need to know what not to do to keep your teeth healthy and clean.

Make sure never to use scented soaps when cleaning your trays, for the same reason you don’t want to use mouthwash. There could be too many chemicals involved that ruin the shape or structure of your aligners.

You also shouldn’t eat or drink when your Invisalign aligners are in your mouth. They aren’t meant to be used that way and could get damaged easily. Not to mention, it’s too easy to get bacteria and food particles stuck in the aligners. These can stain them or prevent them from working properly.

Get Fitted for Invisalign Today!

Invisalign braces are wildly popular, and for a good reason. Not only do they look and feel better than traditional braces, but they are also easier to wear. You can remove them while you eat and brush your teeth with simple instructions for how to clean them. Our orthodontists at Samaritan Dental Arts are happy to provide you with more information about Invisalign during your next consultation. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933.

Woman lying in bed in background, holding anesthesia mask in foreground

Is Sleep Apnea Hereditary?

Sleep Apnea, , ,

Sleep apnea is a serious condition, and it can get worse the longer it goes untreated. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the throat muscles are too relaxed, making it too easy for the throat to close. That is why the most significant symptom of sleep apnea includes the inability to breathe for short periods of time. But is sleep apnea hereditary?

Your trusted dentist or sleep expert should assess this very dangerous condition. Sleep apnea has many effects on dental health, which is why it is our job at Samaritan Dental Arts to provide the best treatment possible. If you are looking for a dentist in downtown Los Angeles, look no further.

Many of our patients wonder whether sleep apnea is a hereditary trait that can be inherited or passed down. Today, we want to explore that while offering different diagnosis and treatment options available to you.

Let’s Look at the Statistics

After extensive research, the Sleep Research Society determined that sleep apnea can be attributed to genetics about 40% of the time. This means that yes, it does have the possibility of being hereditary. If your parents or family members have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you do have a risk of developing the condition yourself.

The possibility of developing this condition through genetics goes even beyond that. Some of the biggest risk factors that can lead to the development of sleep apnea are also genetics.

This includes factors such as:

  • Obesity
  • Thick neck
  • Nasal congestion
  • Large tonsils
  • Hypothyroidism

If you have a family history of any of the above conditions, it’s essential to speak with your local experts to determine the safest measures for you.

Other Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

Other than the hereditary conditions, there are environmental and lifestyle factors that can create a risk for this dangerous condition as well. These include:

  • Smoking
  • Aging
  • Menopause
  • Using an excess of alcohol
  • Using sedatives
  • Having a small jaw

If you fear that you are at risk for developing sleep apnea, or you have already started showing symptoms of the condition, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. This is a life-threatening situation as sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing in your sleep.

Getting Effective Sleep Apnea Treatment

Did you know that your dentist can provide effective obstructive sleep apnea treatments? Whether you seek the help of a sleep specialist or your local dental professionals, there are plenty of OSA treatment options available to you.

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we provide the following obstructive sleep apnea treatment in downtown Los Angeles:

  • Oral Appliances like a mouthguard can help maintain regular breathing and keep your mouth from closing during sleep.
  • CPAP machine therapy, which is the most popular and common form of treatment for sleep apnea.
  • Sleep hygiene therapy, which includes working with an expert to develop healthier sleeping habits
  • Surgery, as a last-resort intervention to fix tissues in the throat and tongue.

Knowing whether you are at risk for sleep apnea can help determine what treatments and interventions are needed. If you have been previously diagnosed with depression, diabetes, stroke, heart failure, or acid reflux, you may be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea as well.

If you sleep in bed with someone and they point out that you have been snoring a lot, this is one of the most prominent signs that you may have issues with sleep apnea. Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Zabolian right away so we can provide the best treatment possible.

Prevent Sleep Apnea Symptoms Today!

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that should be taken care of as soon as you suspect you are showing symptoms. Sleep apnea has a high chance of passing on through genes. Be sure to review your family history to see if any of them showed the signs.

Get started with your diagnosis and treatment options by contacting us online today. You can also give us a call at (213) 986-2933 to speak with a friendly representative. We look forward to helping you! We hope to help diagnose and treat your sleep apnea. Our office provides a range of dental treatments and procedures as well.

Graphic of bruxism, high angle of lower jaw, teeth are worn down by grinding

How to Stop Grinding My Teeth!

Dental Care at Home, , ,

One of the biggest reasons why our adult patients schedule visits with us is because they are experiencing pain in their teeth or jaw. While many issues could lead to symptoms of pain, one of the most common is bruxism: the grinding of the teeth. You might ask: how do I stop grinding my teeth?

First, you may be grinding your teeth every day without even knowing about it. For many people, grinding the teeth is a way to deal with stress subconsciously. Some people also grind their teeth while they sleep.

It’s not surprising that this excessive grinding can lead to pain and tension throughout the teeth. If not stopped, it can also damage teeth. At Samaritan Dental Arts, we want our patients to understand how serious teeth clenching can be, and some of the best ways to stop this subconscious habit.

Why We Grind Our Teeth So Much

The biggest reason why someone would grind their teeth so much is due to stress and worry. An NHS study states most people grind their teeth while they sleep, so it can be difficult to tell whether you are a tooth-grinder.

While some people with bruxism are asymptomatic, it is common for people who grind daily to feel symptoms of pain in the head, neck, jaw, and face. Bruxism is a common disorder, but it can lead to more serious such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder).

How to Stop Grinding Teeth – Even During Sleep

What are some of the best methods to stop grinding your teeth? How can you get rid of this bad habit if you aren’t even conscious when you’re doing it?

Thankfully, there are a few methods you can employ to try and stop yourself from grinding your teeth so much. Try out some of our dentist-approved ideas below:

1. Avoid Stimulating Foods and Drinks Before Bed

Try not to consume anything stimulating for a few hours before your bedtime. This includes drinks like coffee, alcohol, and soda, as well as foods that contain chocolate and other sugar-filled treats.

These items can severely affect your sleep since their ingredients make your body want to burst with energy. You want to start focusing on things that can help your mind and your body wind down before it’s time to go to bed. Better quality sleep can help prevent you from tossing, turning, and grinding your teeth at night.

2. Invest in a Mouth Guard

One of the best possible solutions that can have the best results involves scheduling an appointment with your trusted local dentist. During your appointment, you can be fitted for a custom mouth guard or mouth splint. This is something soft that you would wear at night to prevent your tooth-grinding habits from having such a negative effect on the rest of your body. It doesn’t get rid of the bruxism, but it provides a shield to keep the rest of you from getting hurt.

3. Get a Muscle Relaxer

In more severe cases where the bruxism has developed into some symptoms of pain for your mouth, you may need to get a muscle relaxant to relieve all of that tension building up in your jaw. You can consult with your dentist to get a medically-prescribed relaxant. There may be some other muscle-relaxing solutions that you can work with your dentist and your primary care doctor to acquire.

What Can Bruxism Lead To?

If you have already been grinding your teeth for a long time without any intervention, you may be suffering from a myriad of symptoms. Most commonly, you will feel headaches and tension in the jaw all along your mouth. Your teeth may also become sore and loosened over time. Cracks can appear in the teeth if you clench down for too long.

Other symptoms of grinding your teeth can include:

  • Disruption of regular sleep patterns
  • Tired jaw muscles
  • Jaw locking or not being able to open and close all the way
  • Damage on the inside of your cheek from biting down
  • Worn down tooth enamel
  • Fractured or chipped teeth
  • Increased pain in the mouth
  • Headaches in the temples
  • Soreness in the face, neck, or jaw

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or if you notice yourself grinding your teeth during times of stress, it’s important to seek dental care right away.

Take Care of Your Teeth Before It’s Too Late!

Your grinding habits may seem harmless at first, but they can have some devastating long-term effects. It can be challenging to break this habit, especially since so much of it happens while you are asleep. But with help from our friendly experts at Samaritan Dental Arts, we can come up with a solution that will reduce the effects of grinding and help you get your daily life back on track. For more information, contact us online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933 to schedule a consultation.

Woman holding hand to face for sore gums

Why Do Your Gums Hurt?

Dental Care at Home, , , , , , ,

Do you wake up with sore gums? Do your gums bleed when you brush your teeth? Have you been dealing with oversensitive gums for a very long time?

Experiencing pain in the gums is irritating and stressful. And, unfortunately, it is not too uncommon. If you are dealing with sore gums, you aren’t alone. In fact, there are Downtown Los Angeles dentists with a specific focus on treating gum pain and health.

Acknowledging that you have gum pain is the first step in getting treatment, but before any issues can be resolved, it’s important to understand why they are hurting in the first place. Let’s go over some of the common causes and reasons for sore gums and gum pain.

Gum Disease

Also known as gingivitis, gum disease is a common reason for pain and inflammation. If left untreated, gingivitis can develop into a more advanced stage of the condition known as periodontal disease. Within the past decade, the CDC recorded that over half of American adults have a type of gum disease.

If it’s caught early and diagnosed as gingivitis, you can invest in a routine brushing and flossing practice to get rid of the symptoms. Your dentist may also prescribe a medicated mouthwash to help you clean out your mouth. If you have periodontal disease, you should seek the help of our periodontal treatment specialists.

Rough Hygiene

Cases of pain in the gums don’t always turn out to be as serious as a disease diagnosis. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of brushing and flossing too hard. You may have been taught that a good thorough brushing is the best way to stay clean, and that’s true, but it doesn’t mean that you need to scrub intensely around your mouth.

Try getting a new toothbrush with softer bristles, as they can get the job just as good as coarse bristles.

Plus, softer brushes are even recommended by the ADA for your hygiene and comfort.

Poor Diet

Crest lists a poor diet as one of the major causes of pain in the gums. This is especially evident when there is a lack of calcium in your daily nutrition, as it can cause the teeth to weaken, which in turn affects the gums. Likewise, a lack of Vitamin C can compromise your immune system, meaning that your gums can’t protect themselves as well as they might be able to if you had a C-rich diet. Try adding more vitamins and minerals to your daily diet routine so you can strengthen your teeth and gums against decay.

Allergies

In some cases, you may be having an allergic reaction to a dental hygiene product or a certain type of food. It can be difficult to discover that you’re allergic to the toothpaste you use, but it very well may be the cause of hurting gums. An unknown food allergy can also cause the gums to be painful or sensitive.

The best way to find out what you are allergic to is to isolate certain foods or dental substances for one month at a time. That way, you’ll be able to find out what’s causing your gums to hurt. Keep track of the way your gums feel during this time so you know whether to rule out other possible causes.

Assess the Health of Your Gums ASAP!

When your gums are feeling painful or sensitive, there’s no time to waste. Holding off on treatment can cause some serious dental issues that will make recovery more difficult down the line. Whether you have gingivitis, or you just need to learn how to invest in a new hygiene routine, our expert dentists at Samaritan Dental Arts are here to help. To make an appointment with our gums specialists, you can contact us online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933. We look forward to treating your sore gums!

Woman chewing on ice cube

Does Chewing on Ice Hurt Your Teeth?

Dental Care at Home, , , , ,

Your teeth are some of the strongest parts of your body – but also some of the most sensitive. They are responsible for a lot of actions that make your life comfortable and survivable. We often take our teeth for granted, and we don’t usually realize how much we rely on them for many aspects of our daily life, including eating, speaking, and smiling.

At Samaritan Dental, we take teeth seriously, and we want to help you take them seriously, too. Since we use our teeth so frequently, we tend to develop habits surrounding them as well. Some are good habits – like brushing every day – while others may not be so beneficial to our long-term health. If you need to see a dentist in Downtown Los Angeles, do not hesitate to reach out to Samaritan Dental today!

One such habit involves chewing on ice. We have all done this before, especially when enjoying a nice cold drink on a hot day. But when it becomes a habit, is chewing on ice something to worry about?

Let’s talk about the risks of chewing on ice.

Why Chew Ice?

First, we must understand what compels people to chew on ice so frequently. There are many different reasons why someone may find themselves forming a habit around chewing ice. A Medical News Today story reports these major underlying conditions that cause us to crave ice:

  • Stress and emotional issues – It may be soothing to chew on something as a means of reducing stress or nerves.
  • OCD – Someone with obsessive thoughts can find chewing ice a good solution to satisfy those behaviors.
  • Anemia – Otherwise known as an iron deficiency, those with anemia are often compelled to chew ice, although nobody is sure why.
  • Dehydration – Always being thirsty or having a dry mouth can cause someone to want to chew ice to cool them down.

There are other causes and conditions as well, some of them more severe than others. But the most common reasons for feeling compelled to chew ice often have underlying symptoms that can be treated respectively.

Issues with Chewing on Ice

Now let’s talk about the ways in which constantly chewing on ice can hurt your teeth. Keep in mind that there are different shapes and consistencies of ice, and the harder the ice cube, the more damage it will do to your pearly whites.

Tooth Damage

Although chewing ice is a fairly common habit and mindless activity, it can do a lot of irrevocable damage to the teeth. Teeth are at risk for being chipped, broken, and ground down by hard ice cubes constantly crushing against them.

Stripped Enamel

The American Dental Association lists chewing ice cubes as one of the worst habits for your teeth. Enamel is just as hard as ice, and when these two substances rub together, they break each other down.

The ADA suggests switching to cold beverages without any ice cubes to reduce your frequency of indulging in this habit.

Increased Sensitivity

Continuously exposing your teeth to freezing temperatures can cause an imbalance in sensitivity, making you much more affected by hot and cold foods in the future.

Habit-Breaking Alternatives

At Samaritan Dental, we believe every problem has a solution. Multiple solutions, in fact! Here are a few suggestions that might help you break this bad habit once and for all.

Make it Slushy

Crushed ice is better than whole ice cubes. Really soft, slushy ice that pretty much becomes water by the time it hits your teeth is an ideal alternative to the big frozen crystals, and it still satisfies your need to crunch something.

Use Inedible Ice Cubes

You can find alternatives to ice cubes that you can’t put in your mouth. Some stores sell plastic balls that can be frozen and then plopped into your drinks, helping to keep your beverage cool without compelling you to eat it. Or, you can use a frosted glass!

Switch to Healthy Snacks

Sometimes you just crave something crunchy. That’s totally natural, but instead of continuing to munch on ice, switch to something like carrots or apple slices. That way, you are eating real food that provides you with nutrients and doesn’t put your teeth at risk for breaking.

Assess Your Oral Health Today!

Are you ready to nip your bad habits in the bud? Our friendly professionals can help! At Samaritan Dental, your smile is our passion. For more information about our services, including emergency dentistry, please contact us online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933 today!

Closeup of woman's mouth, smiling, biting tooth

Biting Your Lip (Or Tongue) in Your Sleep? When to Seek Help

Dental Care at Home

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation or a meal when you suddenly bite your lip? What about your tongue? This frustrating and inconvenient occurrence is sure to send a twinge of pain down your spine. It’s annoying when it happens, and the sharp pain takes a while to go away.

 

But what happens when you do this while you’re asleep? You don’t respond to the pain since you don’t feel it. What’s to stop you from doing this multiple times? This is in fact a real problem that our experts at Samaritan Dental Arts have seen in both children and adults. Those who bite their tongues often are at risk for more serious conditions like infections, ulcers, and scalloping.

 

Here are some common causes, as well as the signs and symptoms of biting your lip or tongue during your sleep, and when to get help for this recurring problem.

Malocclusion

What is malocclusion? Well, it’s a fancy word for the misalignment of the teeth. Nobody is born with perfectly straight teeth, but some people have misalignments that can cause vast and repeating dental issues. Those with overbites or underbites, or crowded teeth, have a tendency to bite their lip and tongue much more frequently.

 

According to Medical News Today, there is also a more serious type of malocclusion known as temporomandibular disorder, also called TMD or TMJ. This affects the joint that connects the jaw to the skull, and it can also cause a misalignment of the teeth. Your teeth may also shift frequently during sleep, causing you to bite the inside of your mouth.

 

You should seek treatment for this issue if you wake up with:

 

  • Red or swollen lips/tongue
  • Sores on the lips/tongue
  • Inflammation in the mouth

 

Let’s take a look at some of the other symptoms, causes, and treatment options for this serious sleep habit.

Teeth Grinding

Do you suffer from bruxism – constant grinding or clenching of your teeth? You can be suffering from this for many reasons. Some of the causes or physical, while others may be psychological. People who are under a lot of stress tend to grind and clench their teeth without even realizing it. This often happens during sleep as well.

 

With teeth constantly shifting around like that, unchecked during sleep, you’re bound to bite your tongue and lips often. This can be a painful experience all around, but one that can also cause infection to spread.

 

If you frequently wake up with pain, cuts, or bruising, you should schedule an appointment with your dental professional right away.

Seizures and Sleep Apnea

On a more serious note, it’s possible that you may be struggling with nighttime seizures or even sleep apnea. Healthline makes it clear that sleep apnea is not a cause of biting the tongue, but it is a symptom often seen in tandem with the condition.

 

Nighttime seizures often cause patients to bite their tongues during sleep. Whether you suffer from a type of epilepsy or another kind of seizure, you might be unconsciously biting on your tongue and lips without even knowing it.

 

So, how can you get help with these symptoms? What can you do to help stop this bad unconscious habit?

 

At Samaritan Dental Arts, we provide a wide variety of solutions that are tailored to each and every patient. For some, it may be as simple as an investment in a smoking cessation program, as smoking can lead to many of the symptoms listed above. In other cases, you may need a CPAP machine to handle your sleep apnea. But no matter the cause, rest assured that you are in good hands.

Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment with Us!

Do the above situations sound familiar? Are you worried that you may be biting parts of your mouth during sleep? Or, perhaps you have other dental issues you need to get taken care of? Our friendly experts are here to help! Samaritan Dental Arts is available for patients of all ages on a 24/7 schedule. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Toddler girl holding cheek in bed

Toddler Teeth Grinding: Should You be Worried?

Pediatric Dentistry, , , , ,

It’s not only adults who can develop a habit of grinding their teeth at night — toddlers can too. Have you ever noticed your child moving their mouth around at night or heard the click-clacking of their teeth? This may be a sign of toddler teeth grinding at night.

This activity can usually start as young as 6 months old or whenever their teeth start to come in. You don’t have to worry too much about your baby experiencing stress as the cause of the grind because it’s usually just a result of them trying out their new teeth. However, it’s still important to get your toddler into an appointment with a pediatric dentist to help diagnose and treat the problem. Here are some things to understand about toddler teeth grinding.

Why Toddlers Grind their Teeth

Grinding teeth isn’t completely uncommon for toddlers — about 3 out of 10 children develop this habit. There are a few possibilities as to why toddlers grind their teeth including the fact that they just got these new chompers in their mouth and they’re likely just testing or feeling them out.

Other reasons could be that their teeth aren’t properly aligned or they’re doing it as a way to relieve some type of pain either from their teeth or ears. Stress and anxiety could also be a factor, especially if the baby is undergoing a big transition in the home. This is why it’s really important to make sure the toddler is participating in enough soothing activities. In more serious cases, it may be a result of a specific medical condition or a medication they’re taking.

The Effects of Toddler Teeth Grinding

In most cases, toddlers will grow out of grinding their teeth as their baby teeth fall out and new teeth come in. However, if their jaw or teeth are misaligned they may continue this poor habit into adulthood. This can cause the breakdown of enamel, headaches, and jaw pain. If the problem persists and your child becomes irritable from the pain, it’s important to take them to a pediatric dentist to see what your best option of a solution may be for the child.

Treatment Options

Treatment for a toddler grinding their teeth at night is usually dependent on the cause. Once you have figured out why your toddler is grinding their teeth, you can proceed with correcting the issue. If grinding is being caused by misalignment, you may need to get your child a mouth guard to wear at night. This particular mouthguard is made to be worn to protect teeth from grinding at night and is very thin and flexible. Nightguards can be tricky though, as toddlers could find them uncomfortable and unwilling to wear them. In addition, their teeth are going to constantly be changing at this age, so you may need to continue getting new mouth guards as they outgrow them. In this case, it’s almost better to wait it out. Eventually, you can correct misalignment with braces when they’re old enough.

If your toddler is grinding their teeth due to some type of medication their on, consult their doctor to find out about other medication options.

On the other hand, if teeth grinding is due to stress, try to establish a bit of a routine with them. Incorporating some soothing activities throughout the day that establish a ritual can help bring more peace and calm to a child. You can do these activities, such as a bath, some snuggle time, or reading time, right before bed to help them sleep more easily.

Pediatric Dentist Downtown Los Angeles

If your child continues to have issues grinding their teeth, take them to see a professional. A pediatric dentist will be able to carefully look at your child’s teeth to determine any misalignment with their teeth or any wear or tear they may be experiencing. Don’t hesitate to call Samaritan Dental today or visit our website to find out more about our dental hygienic options.