Excessive stress from biting and chewing can wear down the teeth, making them less effective in those functions and creating the potential for tooth loss.

A certain amount of bite stress is expected with chewing, and the teeth are designed to withstand forces within normal limits.

When the forces are outside of the expected levels, problems will arise, and they will likely need to be addressed by your Plano dentist.

If you present with signs of excessive bite stress, your dentist will ask questions about your daily habits that may reveal the cause of the stress.

For example, chewing on non-food items, such as pencils, may cause bite stress. Participating in sports, especially contact sports, can contribute to bite stress, as hits to the face can cause the teeth to come together with unusually high impact.

Sometimes the excessive bite stress occurs while the patient is asleep and completely unaware of it. Bruxism, or grinding of the teeth during sleep, is associated with unexplained wear on the teeth along with jaw pain or headaches upon waking.

In other cases, the bite stress may result from misaligned jaws that do not meet properly during chewing.

If the bite stress is due merely to bad chewing habits, the fix is probably a simple one involving a behavioral intervention designed to break the habit.

Emotional stress can also lead to bite stress. If that’s true in your case, your dentist may recommend that you use stress management techniques, like meditation or deep breathing, or potentially refer you to a therapist or physician for treatment.

For patients with bruxism, other interventions may be recommended. For example, the dentist may prescribe a bite plate to be worn at night. Similarly athletes with excessive bite stress should wear custom-designed mouthguards, such as those from the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear line, to protect themselves while they are at play.

Bite stress due to malocclusions also requires broader treatment, either with orthodontics to realign the jaws, or surgery in severe cases.

If you have noticed unexplained wear on your teeth or you have mysterious jaw pain or headaches, contact the Plano dental office of Dr. John M. Hucklebridge today.

When a tooth fractures, it is natural to feel a sense of panic or fear. After all, a broken tooth can be scary and wondering if your tooth can be saved can be absolutely nerve-wracking. No matter the cause of the fractured tooth, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, your dentist serving Plano TX, is prepared to provide the appropriate care and get you back on the right track.

A fractured tooth as the result of an accident or trauma is a common occurrence. More often, though, a fractured tooth is the result of another underlying issue. Maintaining your regularly scheduled dental visits can help your dentist to identify these issues before a problem arises. Conditions such as clenching and grinding, old or worn restorations, and unbalanced bite patterns can weaken the teeth. Over time, stress and the normal forces of biting and chewing can lead to troublesome fractures.

A minor crack in the enamel can typically be bonded together with a strong, tooth colored filling. Chipped edges of the front teeth also fit into this category. Minor cracks can be caused by extreme biting or clenching forces or failing restorations. These types of fractures are not generally painful or sensitive at first. They are significant, however, since bacteria and tooth decay can fester in these tiny crevices.

A cracked tooth is typically more severe and extensive. Most patients will experience a certain degree of discomfort, a warning sign that the tooth is unhealthy. If the crack involves only the enamel above the gumline, a dental crown may be recommended to protect the tooth. A crack that reaches below the gumline may warrant an additional procedure called crown lengthening. A crack which extends into the nerve of the tooth may require a root canal procedure.

In the unfortunate instance that a fracture involves the root of the tooth, such as a split tooth, the prognosis is significantly reduced. Your dentist will use x-rays and clinical tests to determine if the tooth can be saved.

The best treatment for a fractured tooth is swift dental care. Prolonging dental treatment can only compound the problem and reduce your chances for saving your tooth. If you have noticed a chipped or fractured tooth, contact Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 and schedule your dental appointment today.

The teeth and gums of your Golden Years are far different from those of your grade school days. At each stage in your life, your dental needs are unique. The steps that are required to care for those needs can be difficult to navigate without the assistance of your Plano dentist, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge.

With a strong emphasis on preventing dental disease, and an abundance of available educational information, Dr. Hucklebridge may be your best healthcare resource. Today, it is reasonable to expect to maintain a healthy smile throughout your lifetime. There is no reason to expect tooth loss to be a part of your destiny.

For adults, brushing and flossing after meals should still be an integral part of your daily routine. Foods that may collect around the gumline and between the teeth can contribute to gum disease and cavities. Mature adults should also monitor their diets for foods and drinks that can increase the risk for tooth decay and tooth sensitivity.

As you age, protecting your enamel can be a daily challenge. Acidic beverages such as fruit juices and red wines can erode the enamel. Even digestive conditions like acid reflux and GERD have been linked to weakened enamel.

A lifetime of aggressive brushing causes damage that can be identified in the form of abrasive lesions and gum recession. When clenching and grinding of the teeth have been an issue, fractured enamel near the gumline and flattened teeth can lead to tooth sensitivity.

Often, the status of your overall health can influence your risk for gum disease. Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease and diabetes can contribute to advanced periodontal disease. Complex dental restorations such as bridges and partials can increase your risk for gum disease if food tends to become caught between the teeth.

Many of the dental conditions that arise in the retirement years are a result of the cumulative effect of the dental care that you have received throughout your lifetime. If you desire to maintain healthy teeth and gums in this phase of your life, please schedule your next visit right away.

Periodontal disease can cause serious problems, and if you have been diagnosed with this condition, it’s important to seek treatment from Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, your dentist serving Plano TX 75093, as early as possible.

One method your dentist will use to treat periodontal disease is root planing and scaling. This non-invasive procedure removes plaque and calculus (tartar) from the teeth and the roots, clearing away the bacteria that cause the inflammation associated with gum disease.

Rough tooth roots, which allow bacteria to collect under the gums, also are smoothed down, providing a less hospitable environment for those bacteria. Your dentist may also refer to root planing and scaling as a deep cleaning.

Root planing and scaling is appropriate for patients with pockets in their gum tissue. Those pockets develop as plaque and bacteria collect along the gumline and attack the tissue. The root planing and scaling intervention, which may be accompanied by a topical antibiotic treatment, helps to reduce the size of those pockets.

After a root planing and scaling procedure, patients should plan to visit the dentist regularly for maintenance treatments. Those patients may be able to avoid a progression of their periodontal disease that might require surgery. Depending on the extent of your case, your dentist may recommend follow-up cleanings every three months rather than every six, which is the standard interval.

Getting treatment for periodontal disease helps to preserve your oral health. When left unchecked, periodontal disease can cause gums to recede and eventually lead to the loss of tooth and bone.

Controlling periodontal disease isn’t just about achieving optimal oral health, though. Periodontal disease has been connected to several systemic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, so root planing and scaling is actually helping to boost a patient’s overall health.

Get your gums checked on a regular basis, and when your dentist identifies a problem, schedule an appointment for treatment like root planing and scaling so that you won’t have to face surgery later.

Dry mouth may be one of the most under-diagnosed dental conditions in modern dentistry. Technically termed “Xerostomia”, many dry mouth sufferers may not realize the extent of their condition or the possible damage that may occur as a result of the condition.

By discussing your daily homecare habits with Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, your Plano TX dentist, it is possible to identify the condition and seek the appropriate treatment.

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a decrease in the average amount of saliva present in the mouth. Saliva is the body’s natural defense against the acids that cause tooth decay. When the mouth is exceptionally dry, the increased risk for tooth decay can be significant.

Patients who notice that the mouth tends to be dry may find themselves frequently reaching for a drink during the day, waking up for a drink during the night, or sucking on mints and candies constantly. These patients may also notice that the gums tend to be inflamed, leading to bleeding during brushing and flossing.

Some common causes of dry mouth include:

• Medications. Allergy medications, sleeping aids, pain relievers and other medications can cause a significant degree of xerostomia. Hundreds of these medications list dry mouth as a possible side effect, and millions of patients require these medications on a long-term basis.
• Mouthbreathing. Sleeping with the mouth open or snoring can lead to severe irritation of the soft tissues of the mouth. Your dentist may detect inflammation, bleeding, or redness of the gum tissue surrounding the front teeth as an indicator to your condition.
• Health conditions. Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease are among a number of health conditions known to contribute to dry mouth symptoms.
• Cancer treatments. Radiation therapy to the head or neck and chemotherapy can severely affect the availability of saliva. These treatments can cause damage to the salivary glands, decreasing the quality and quantity of the saliva.

After identifying xerostomia, your dentist may advise you to drink as much water as possible, while avoiding juices, soft drinks, and candy. More frequent brushing and flossing may be helpful, as well as prescription and over the counter saliva substitutes.

For your health, don’t ignore your dry mouth symptoms. To learn more about xerostomia, call the office of Dr. Hucklebridge at 972-398-2550 and schedule your appointment today.

You can partner with Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, your Plano TX dentist, to work toward maintaining optimal oral health. Develop a list of healthy dental habits that you can follow on a daily basis.

Many of the habits that keep your teeth healthy don’t even require a visit to the dentist. Your daily oral hygiene routine is an important step in maintaining the teeth.

Your dentist recommends that you brush your teeth at least twice every day. This helps to prevent plaque from collecting on the teeth and along the gumlines. However, it’s not enough merely to brush. You must be sure to use the proper technique and brush for a sufficient amount of time. Angle the brush toward the gumline and be sure to brush all of the tooth’s surfaces, in addition to the tongue. A thorough brushing typically takes 2-3 minutes. You may find it helpful to set up an egg-timer in your bathroom to get a sense for how long you should brush.

If you have the opportunity, you can brush at lunchtime, too. If not, you may choose to rinse your mouth to remove any lingering particles of food or you can chew sugarless gum to prompt your mouth’s natural cleaning process.

Flossing is another important piece of the dental puzzle. Flossing dislodges plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces that can’t be reached with a brush alone, such as the spaces between the teeth. When flossing, take care to get in between all of the teeth and don’t skimp on the rearmost teeth. They need the flossing the most!

Even if you have dental appliances, such as fixed permanent bridges or braces, you must floss. In such cases, you may need to use a floss threader to get under the appliances.

Be sure to schedule check-ups and prophylaxis, or dental cleanings, with your dentist on a semi-annual basis. Your dentist can detect problems at these appointments, and a professional cleaning helps to eliminate any plaque or tartar buildup that occurs despite brushing and flossing.

If you have children in your household, get them started down the path to good oral health at an early age. Have them follow the same healthy habits that you do, and set a good example by following through on your dentist’s recommendations for your at-home regimen.

If you haven’t been paying a visit to your Plano dentist at least every six months, you should be. Semiannual professional cleanings are essential to maintaining your oral health and they’ll keep your teeth looking their best.

You may think that regular brushing and flossing are sufficient to keep your mouth clean and healthy, but that’s not the case. Over time, a sticky film called plaque builds up on your teeth, regardless of how often you brush and floss. Eventually, the plaque hardens into a substance called tartar or calculus, which can only be removed through a professional cleaning.

Plaque and tartar contain harmful bacteria that promote tooth decay and gum disease. When left untreated, those conditions can lead to the loss of teeth and gums. Regular professional cleanings with your dentist help to combat that bacteria and prevent the problems it can cause.

When your teeth are cleaned at a dentist appointment, the hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. These tools help the hygienist to clean the teeth more thoroughly than brushing alone can. The hygienist also has better access to the hard-to-reach spots in the mouth, which might not get the attention they need from routine daily brushing.

The regular checkups that take place at the same time as professional cleanings also give the dentist an opportunity to identify any concerns, such as cavities and even oral cancer. When these issues are spotted earlier, it’s easier for the dentist to treat them. In the case of oral cancer, early diagnosis may be a lifesaving outcome.

For a relatively small group of patients, even semiannual cleanings may be insufficient to keep plaque at bay. Certain genetic and environmental factors may cause plaque to build up more quickly in some patients, who may need to visit the dentist every three or four months to keep their mouths adequately clean.

Your home oral hygiene routine can complement the professional cleaning process. If you are diligent about brushing and flossing, your professional cleanings are likely to take less time because there should not be a large amount of tartar to remove from the teeth.

Please contact Plano Smile Studio at 972-398-2550 to schedule your next dental exam and professional cleaning.

Receding gums are a very common and often overlooked occurrence for many adults. As an important part of your periodic exam with your Plano dentist, your gums will be evaluated for signs of disease, including recession.

When the gums pull away from the teeth and the roots of the teeth are exposed, the condition is termed recession. In a healthy mouth, the gums are firmly situated at the necks of the teeth where the enamel ends. The porous and delicate root surface begins at this junction, typically protected by the gum tissue. Where recession has been identified, the roots of the teeth are not covered and protected. The results are increased tooth sensitivity, discoloration, increased risk for cavities, and loss of support for the teeth.

Recession can be caused by any number and combination of factors. Gum disease or periodontal disease, abrasive or aggressive brushing, clenching, grinding, and orthodontic treatment can certainly contribute to recession. Your dentist and staff are trained to identify signs of recession as well as determine the appropriate treatment options.

• Lifestyle and mechanical modifications: Toothbrush abrasion can lead to recession and can be curbed by using a soft toothbrush and gentle pressure. It is important to avoiding aggressive back-and-forth “sawing” motions which can permanently damage the gums. Chronic clenching and grinding can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth. If this habit is involuntary, your dentist may prescribe a protective mouth guard for daily use.
• Periodontal therapy: Addressing periodontal disease with professional treatment can eliminate the toxins that contribute to recession. Where recession has advanced, your dentist may recommend a surgical procedure designed to graft or reattach the gum tissue.
• Palliative treatment: When gum recession occurs, there is no chance that they will grow back or repair themselves. Even when the cause of irritation has been removed or corrected, many patients are left to deal with exposed roots and sensitive teeth. Your dentist may recommend desensitizing toothpastes, mouth rinses, professional fluoride treatments, and ultra-soft toothbrushes for your comfort. This method of treating the symptoms in order to provide relief is known as palliative care.

The causes of gingival recession can be numerous and sometimes unclear. If recession is a concern for you, call Plano Smile Studio to reserve your appointment today.

Although tooth sensitivity can be a problematic and uncomfortable condition, it can generally be eliminated or controlled by determining the root cause of the sensitivity.

Ideally, the tooth enamel covers and protects the portion of the tooth above the gum line. The gum tissue covers and protects the roots of the teeth. When recession occurs, the gums pull away from the tooth root, exposing a surface that is softer than the enamel. Microscopically, the root surface is composed of tiny openings, called tubules, similar to a honeycomb. When exposed to stimuli such as temperature, pressure, sweets, or acids, these tubules transmit the sensation directly to the nerve of the tooth.

If you have suffered from this sensation on one or more occasions, speak to Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, your Plano dentist, about possible solutions for tooth sensitivity.

When tooth sensitivity is mild or inconsistent, you may find relief in using toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth. When used consistently, the active ingredients in these pastes can occlude, or plug the openings in the tubules to prevent the transfer of the stimuli to the nerve. It is also helpful to avoid strong or abrasive toothpastes such as whitening pastes.

Another effective solution for managing sensitive teeth is fluoride. Although fluoride is used in municipal water supplies, fluoridated toothpastes, and anti-cavity mouth rinses to prevent decay, it can also plug dentinal tubules to prevent sensitivity. Ask about the highly concentrated fluoride treatments available at your dentist’s office.

In severe cases, when sensitivity interferes with your normal eating or drinking habits, your dentist may suggest a simple surgical procedure to replace the receding gum tissue.  When recession has occurred, it is not possible for the gums to grow back or repair themselves. This procedure, known as gingival grafting, utilizes natural or synthetic gum tissue to cover the root surface.

It can be comforting to know that tooth sensitivity can be controlled and eliminated with proper treatment. Schedule your next dental visit, and ask Dr. Hucklebridge about the treatment that is best for you.

Though it may sound cliché, the best treatment for periodontal disease is prevention. Periodontal disease is an infection that causes such destruction to the gums and bone, the immune system cannot repair it. Once you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, although your damaged bone and gums will not return, you can take steps to prevent the destruction form progressing.

When the bacterial plaque in our mouths is not removed by frequent brushing and flossing, it tends to harden into a roughly textured deposit called calculus or tarter. This hard deposit cannot be removed by brushing and flossing, quickly spreading along the surfaces of the teeth and below the gum line. As the bacteria continue to colonize at and below the gum line, they produce a toxic byproduct that causes inflammation of the gum tissue and eventual bone loss.

Once bone loss has occurred, the condition is determined to be an infectious disease. The onset of the disease is sometimes marked by symptoms such as bad breath, red or bleeding gums, or extreme sensitivity. At this stage, brushing and flossing at home will no longer be effective. For the earliest detection, routine dental exams are recommended, since it is possible for periodontal disease to progress without the presence of the painful or visible symptoms.

For a successful outcome, your efforts at home are just as important as the care you receive in the dental office. Your dentist may recommend a type of deep cleaning called scaling and root planing, followed by a course of antibiotics, if necessary. You will be instructed to brush and floss diligently at home, using a toothbrush, dental floss, and other plaque controlling tools where indicated.

Your chances of preventing periodontal disease can be improved by careful plaque control and routine dental treatment, but it is important to realize that even minimal plaque levels can trigger the disease in patients with compromised immune systems. This can be a result of stress, illness, or a systemic disease. If you feel that you may have periodontal disease, or would like to be proactive in preventing this disease, contact your Plano dentist, Dr. John M. Hucklebridge, today.