The jury can be out amongst dentists in Leeds when it comes to the affects that chewing gum has on the teeth and gums. Chewing itself, is a process by which to break up food and then to digest. The forces in doing this, impact on the joints of the jaws and place the everyday pressure upon the temporomandibular joint in the mouth (TMJ). There are many other stresses too from talking and clenching of the teeth that add extra pressure in this area. Chewing gum is considered to be a way of relieving tension, but it will also place extra forces upon this area of the mouth that can lead to damage, over time, that may require some hard-core surgery to rectify. Sugar based chewing gum can also promote tooth decay and gum disease too. But, the use of chewing gum can also promote the health of the teeth and gums. If you happen to be on heavy medication, or have been unfortunate to undergo chemo-therapy, this can lower the saliva levels in the mouth, and leave the teeth and gums vulnerable to gum disease and tooth decay. Chewing certain gums however in these circumstances can help to rejuvenate the blood flow in the gums and re-stimulate the saliva in the mouth. Of course, chewing gum is also a classic way of fending of bad breath too because it is a way of removing sticky foodstuffs from the surfaces of the teeth and a way of preventing bacteria and acids from building up in the mouth and damaging the teeth’s enamel.
Archive for the ‘tmj’ Category
Chew that gum to healthier teeth in Leeds
Sunday, August 28th, 2011Worried about TMJ disorders? Contact your City of Leeds dentist for effective diagnosis and treatment
Sunday, February 20th, 2011
The temporomandibular joint (or TMJ) connects your jaw to the temporal bone of your skull and is very important in coordinating the way in which your mouth is able to move. As well as this, it contains crucial nerves which go between the skull and the jaw. If a disorder develops in the TMJ then it can be very serious, not to mention rather painful too.
TMJ disorders will show themselves as pain when you yawn or even eating and talk. In very bad cases you might feel pain the area even when you are not moving your jaw at all. If things get worse then the pain and discomfort might spread to the neck and shoulders too. Needless to say, all of these symptoms can seriously hamper many day to day activities and it is worth sorting out if you want to avoid involuntary muscular spasms and even tinnitus.
Dentists are well placed to diagnose TMJ disorders because the TMJ is connected to the mouth. They might decide to give you an x-ray or a ‘clench’ test where you bite down to determine the site of the pain you feel. The problem might lie with the alignment of your teeth affecting your bite and TMJ has been linked with the process of bruxism or grinding your teeth in your sleep.
To solve this you might need to wear a brace to adjust the alignment of your teeth and, in rare cases, surgery is required. TMJ is worth taking seriously but usually it is easily resolved. You should always share any concerns you have with your City of Leeds dentist and they will be able to examine you and diagnose TMJ if it is occurring.
Never Neglect Jaw Joint Problems, Says City of Leeds Dentist
Monday, September 20th, 2010
Only people who suffer from jaw joint problems know how painful they can be. The jaw is said to have one of the strongest muscles in the human body and it is has to work very hard whenever we chew food or talk. There are many reasons why the jaw can get injured, and a dentist has to understand the reason well before taking up any particular course of action.
The most common reason for the jaw joint to get hurt is when the person suffers from Bruxism. This is the term given to the condition where a person grinds his or her teeth together very forcefully and involuntarily. This gnashing of the teeth happens mainly at night, and the person can have a very sore jaw as a result. Another reason could be something that causes the jaws to be out of alignment, such as a fall or a blow to the side of the face. This causes the jaws to move incorrectly, thereby putting pressure on the muscles.
According to a reputed City of Leeds dentist, a lot of people come to their practice with this problem because many dentists don’t diagnose it correctly. An experienced dentist will be able to study various other symptoms before arriving to a conclusion. For example, word down teeth will indicate that the person grinds his or her teeth regularly. Once the dentist identifies the problem, treatment is relatively easy and the patient will get permanent relief from any jaw joint problems.
Serious Cases of Malocclusion Have to Be Corrected, Says City Of Leeds Dentist
Friday, September 17th, 2010
Malocclusion occurs when the top and bottom rows of teeth do not fit well against each other. According to a City of Leeds dentist, this is a very common occurrence and most people have it to some extent. It is hardly perceptible in most people and in these cases it does not even cause a problem. Some people whose jaws are badly aligned have to face a lot of problems.
Most people who have malocclusion, which is known as a bad bite, don’t even know that this is the cause of the aches they have in their heads, necks and shoulders. They can even suffer from buzzing sounds in their ears and also from sinus problems. This entire range of problems happens because the jaw has to work extra hard in order to complete its normal activities. This condition can also cause the teeth to get worn down and for them to crack or break.
This ailment underscores the need for a regular dental check up schedule. Only a good dentist will be able to put all the pieces together and identify the cause of these varied symptoms. This problem needs to be looked into immediately so that it does not worsen and thereby require more medical attention.
There is a lot that a dentist can do to fix this problem, starting with removing certain teeth in order to change the bite. The dentist can also adjust other teeth in order to make the two sets of teeth fit well.
Your Headaches Could Be Caused By TMJ (Jaw Point) Problems, Says City Of Leeds Dentist
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Anybody suffering from TMJ (jaw point) problems will soon realize that their pain is not limited to the jaws. This disease is caused by problems in the jaws as a result of which the muscles have to work extra hard in order to do regular activities like chewing or talking. It results in pain in the head, the neck and even in the shoulders.
According to a very well known dentist in the City of Leeds, most people don’t even realize they have a serious problem with their jaws. They keep looking for a cure for their headaches and for other related symptoms such as buzzing in the ears or a sinusitis problem that never seems to go away.
If a person suffering from TMJ (Jaw Point) problems has a practice of getting regular dental checkups, this problem will be brought to the forefront immediately. An experienced dentist will be able to correlate the headaches and other symptoms with teeth that have been ground down considerably although this is not necessarily a symptom for jaw problems. Most people don’t realize it, but even sitting badly at a computer can hurt the jaw.
In conclusion, you should never give up the search for what is causing your headaches. If untreated, problems if the jaw will only get worse and you will have a difficult time trying to lead a normal life. A trip to a good dentist is absolutely necessary so that you can find a solution to your jaw problems.