Season of Giving: FDA’s Favorite Dental Charity

‘Tis the season…to give!  One of our favorite parts of the holiday season is the opportunity to give back to those in need.  We believe that everyone deserves a healthy smile and access to oral health care. That’s why we’ve partnered with Dental Lifeline Network and their Donated Dental Services (DDS) to help people in our community receive the dental care they need.  This is a program we support at Falmouth Dental Arts and have also contributed to through Dr. Knock’s always amazing Dancing with the Dentists.  In the spirit of the Season of Giving, we wanted to share more about this incredible organization with you this month.

Donated Dental Services provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to the country’s most vulnerable people with disabilities, and to those who are elderly or medically fragile. These are people who cannot afford necessary treatment and cannot get public aid. The program operates through a volunteer network of more than 15,000 dentists and 3,700 dental labs across the United States. Since its inception in 1985, the DDS program has surpassed $330 million in donated dental therapies, transforming the lives of 117,000 people.

In Maine, the program has had an amazing impact.  Some numbers for you:

  • 177 volunteer dentists
  • 36 volunteer laboratories
  • $3.5 million in donated treatments
  • 1,161 dental patients treated since 1999

If you’d like to contribute to Donated Dental Services, they are always in need dental professionals to volunteer their time, and rely on financial contributions to make more treatments possible.  To make a donation, you can visit their website. Your donation will help provide comprehensive care to those who need it most.

Thank you for being a part of the FDA family and for helping us celebrate the Season of Giving!  We hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends!

 

*Image courtesy of www.shutterstock.com

Avoid the Grind of the Season: Bruxism or Teeth Grinding

The holiday season is upon us and along with it is holiday stress.  Stress is one of the main causes of bruxism or teeth grinding, which often happens while you sleep.  While occasional grinding or clenching may not be harmful, regular grinding can damage not only your teeth, but also affect your jaw muscles and joints. We examine the common symptoms of teeth grinding as well as look at ways to stop teeth grinding.

Beyond stress and anxiety, teeth grinding can also be caused by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, and alcohol or tobacco use.  In fact, a study from the November 2016 edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association found that smokers and people who abuse alcohol and drugs were almost twice as likely to grind their teeth.  Since teeth grinding often happens while you sleep, it is helpful to know the symptoms so complications don’t arise.

Common Symptoms of Bruxism

  • Dull headache
  • Sore jaw, neck, and face muscles
  • Tooth pain or sensitivity
  • Chipped or flattened teeth

In some cases, prolonged teeth grinding can lead to tooth loss or fractured teeth.  Cracked teeth can impact your appearance and even change your bite which could alter your facial profile.  

There are steps you can take to stop grinding your teeth, and your dentist should be part of your plan.  A dentist can prescribe and fabricate a night-guard to help protect your teeth. If you feel you have been experiencing some of the symptoms listed above, come in for a comprehensive dental exam so we can help develop a treatment plan that is specialized for you.

If stress is the cause, then finding a way to relax your mind and your jaw muscles is important.  Relaxation techniques and meditation are powerful ways to not just unclench your jaw, but also to improve your overall health.  Counseling and exercise are also effective ways to reduce stress and anxiety as well as improve your well-being.

This holiday season, remember to take a deep breath and allow yourself some time to relax.  If you need help addressing and treating your bruxism, give us a call at 207.781.5900. We are your dental care partner and we want you to have a healthy mouth and a healthy life!

 

*Image courtesy of www.metro.co.uk