Q & A CORNER

Q. How do you know if I am grinding my teeth at night?

A. There are many signs that you might be grinding at night. The muscles in your jaw may feel tired or ache from overexertion. Teeth may show signs of wear and chipping quicker than normal. Earaches and headaches are also symptoms of bruxism. You may also have receding gums or sensitivity to cold. Have a night guard made at our office can lead to vast improvements in dental health, quality of sleep and reduction of discomfort.

Q. What causes bad breath?

A. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth. If not brushed away plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque filled pockets between your teeth and gums.

Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased.