Author: Karen Girard

When teeth grinding occurs regularly, teeth can become damaged and other oral health issues begin to arise.  Often times, people grind their teeth due to stress and anxiety but it occurs most often during sleep. It is more likely caused by an abnormal bite, crooked or missing teeth.

Since teeth grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they it is even happening. Besides having a loved one wake you up in the middle of the night, a dull headache or sore jaw when you wake up are pretty good indicators that you’ve been grinding your teeth. In more intense cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing or loosening of teeth. In fact, teeth may be worn down into stumps! Eventually bridges, crowns, root canals, implants and partial dentures may be needed. Severe teeth grinding can lead to tooth loss and can affect your jaw or alter the appearance of your face.

At Lindner Dental, we can fit you with a mouth guard to help protect your teeth from grinding during sleep. See some other tips below to relieve you of teeth grinding:

• Cut back on caffeinated food and drinks
• Avoid alcohol
• Do not chew on pencils or pens (or anything that is not food)
• Avoid chewing gum since it allows your jaw muscles to get used to clenching
• Train yourself not to grind your teeth. Position the tip of your tongue between the teeth to train your jaw muscles to relax
• Hold a warm washcloth against your cheek, in front of your earlobe before bed. This will help to relax your jaw

Contact Lindner Dental today at 603-944-9196 for help with teeth grinding!

Sealants are a very thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth – generally the premolars and molars. The liquid sealant bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth to form a shield over the enamel of each tooth.

While brushing and flossing remove food and plaque from the surfaces of teeth, they can’t get into all the nooks and crannies to fully remove all food particles. Sealants protect these areas from tooth decay by sealing out plaque and food.

Teenagers and children are the best candidates for sealants since they have a higher likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars. It is advised that children receive sealants on their permanent molars and premolars right when the teeth come in. In rare cases, dental sealants may be appropriate for baby teeth, such as a child with deep depressions and grooves in the teeth.

Sealants typically last up to 10 years but need to be checked for chipping during regular dental check-ups. Decay can sometimes get under a sealant that is beginning to wear out. At Lindner Dental, we can diagnose and find these areas with the help of dental X-rays. A new sealant or a small filling may be necessary before the problem progresses. Give us a call today for infant dental care, orthodontics and general dentistry in New Hampshire.

Everyone loves those delicious sugary candies, especially during holidays like Easter and Halloween. We all know the ramifications that come with eating these sugary treats. But have you ever considered the amount of damage it has on your teeth?

Bacteria tends to feed on the sugars in the food you eat and creates acid. The acidity in your mouth helps to control the bacterial environment and if it’s too low or too high, you’ll experience major problems with your oral health. Over time, the acid will destroy tooth enamel and result in tooth decay.

While all sugars play a role in your overall oral health, there is a difference between if you drink or eat it. Sugars in liquid form wash over your entire mouth and get into every part of your teeth. Even when brushing, the sugars sit in hard to reach places. When you eat sugars, they leave a normal amount of residue on the teeth.

How Can I Avoid the Effects of Sugar on the Teeth?

• Avoid eating hard candies that melt in the mouth and chewy candies that stick to the teeth
• Brush and floss twice a day to eliminate traces of sugar in the mouth
• Visit the dentist twice a year to remove plaque and tartar

Contact Lindner Dental at 603-944-9196 for a thorough dental cleaning!

Naturally found in most foods and water, fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars. Children under the age of 6 are advised to take fluoride since it makes demineralizing the teeth extremely difficult.

When is Fluoride Intake the Most Important?

Children and infants between the age of 6 months and 16 years should use fluoride rinse regularly. During this timeframe, the primary and permanent teeth come in. However, new research suggests that topical fluoride is just as important in fighting tooth decay as it is in firming developing teeth.

Are there Any Risks with Fluoride?

When used as directed, fluoride is both safe and effective. Parents should carefully supervise their children’s fluoride intake especially under the age of 6. Excess fluoride can cause severe defects in the tooth’s enamel which range from white specks to brown discoloration.

Please note, it is difficult to reach hazardous levels since there are such low levels of fluoride in home-based fluoride containing products.

People who drink bottled water regularly or have the following conditions should speak with Lindner Dental about special fluoride treatments:

• If you take medications that cause dry mouth
• If your gums have receded or pulled away from the teeth
• If you have/had radiation therapy to the neck or head

Contact Lindner Dental at 603-944-9196 for pediatric dentistry, infant dental care, Invisalign and more!

As one of the most safe and effective sedative agents, nitrous oxide is widely used among dental practices to comfort patients. Commonly known as, “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is no way intended to put patients to sleep. In fact, nitrous oxide allows you to hear and respond to any directions or questions the dentist asks.

Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a small mask that is placed over the nose. After about 5 minutes, you should experience a pleasurable or euphoric feeling. Often times, patients will get a case of the “giggles” and feel a bit light headed. In medicine, nitrous oxide is a healthy mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide—about 50/50.

Sedation dentistry is appropriate for those who have a low pain threshold, extremely sensitive teeth, and bad gag reflexes or need an extensive amount of dental work. In some cases, children are administered nitrous oxide as it is completely safe when offered within the recommended dose for the child’s height and weight.

To learn more about sedation dentistry, contact the dental practice of Lindner Dental. We practice safe and professional sedation dentistry along with pediatric and infant dental care.