Northridge dentist, Dentist in Northridge, CA

DO YOU HAVE OCCLUSAL DISEASE? ( Decay is not the only enemy of your teeth):

OCCLUSAL DISEASE SELF EVALUATION: (circle one choice)

1. Are your teeth sensitive to heat or cold?

Yes . Somewhat . No

2. Do you grind or clinch your teeth?

Frequently . Sometimes . Never

3.Do you have notches on your teeth, especially near the gums?

Yes . No

4.Do you ever wake up with tired facial muscles?

Yes . No

5. Do your front teeth look thin, worn-out, or chipped?

Yes . No

6. Have you ever had teeth or dental work fractured or break?

Yes . No

7. Do you suffer from jaw pain?

Frequently . Sometimes . Never

8. Do you have unexplained headaches?

Frequently . Sometimes . Never

What is Occlusal Disease?

Some experts believe that Occlusal Disease is the number one cause of tooth loss, and the number one cause of fillings and crowns breaking and needing to be replaced.

Occlusal Disease is a very serious condition that causes unnatural wear and damage to your teeth, often requiring expensive repairs. Damage isn't limited to your teeth. Occlusal Disease can also affect the tissues that support your teeth, and lead to facial pain and headaches.

Occlusal Disease is a generic term (like Periodontal Disease) that covers a number of pathological conditions associated with the bite, jaw muscles and the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ).

A properly trained dentist can treat Occlusal Disease. They will need to assess your signs and symptoms to see if you suffer from this condition. With their help, you can prevent costly co sequences.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Properly balanced teeth show minimal or no wear with natural use.

When people have Occlusal Disease in the forms of bruxism (involuntary tooth grinding) or an unstable bite, they can wear their teeth up to 100 times faster than healthy people.

Millions of dollars are spent each year repairing the damage caused to teeth by pathological wear.

FRACTURED TEETH AND FILLINGS:

Teeth are able to withstand the stresses of normal function, as are dental restorations. Most of the time when teeth break or restorations fail, the cause is an unbalanced bite that places excessive force upon one or several teeth.

Keep in mind that the human bite is capable of creating forces measuring up to 900 pounds per square inch!

TOOTH SENSITIVITY:

Recent research reveals that much tooth sensitivity is related to Occlusal Disease and excessive occlusal forces placed on certain teeth. With the help of a properly trained dentist, you too might be able to eat ice cream again!

ABRACTIONS AND CERVICAL NOTCHES:

Abractions is a term used to describe the loss of structure from your teeth due to flexural forces. When teeth are stressed by an uneven bite or by bruxism, they flex causing a microscopic loss of matter. This eventually leads to the formation of deep, abnormal notches, especially near the gums.

HEADACHES AND MUSCLE PAIN:

Most people don't realize it, but a surprising number of headaches and occurrences of facial pain can be attributed to Occlusal Disease. An unbalanced bite can put strain on muscles and joints. This not only causes pain and fatigue, but it can eventually lead to long-term damage.

HOW IS OCCLUSAL DISEASE TREATED?

Occlusal Disease has many causes. A dentist trained in occlusion can discuss all of these factors; but the two main problems are having an unbalanced bite and premature tooth wear from involuntary teeth grinding (bruxism).

Even for people who grind their teeth uncontrollably, having a balanced bite is beneficial. Less damage is caused when you have an even bite that disperses forces more uniformly. In addition, wearing a mouth guard is the most basic way to protect the teeth from damage. Feel free to ask the dentist for more details.

CAN OCCLUSAL DISEASE BE CURED?

Occlusal Disease is often due to chronic conditions that can't be permanently eliminated; but it can be controlled to avoid painful consequences and long-term damage.

AT WHAT AGE SHOULD OCCLUSAL DISEASE BE TREATED?

The sooner the better! Signs and symptoms of Occlusal Disease are evident early in life, even in children. Basic preventive measures and early treatment prevent needless pain and suffering, and lead to long-term dental health.