Month: October 2020

A very common condition that people experience is a white line on the inner side of their cheek. This is known as Linea Alba in medical terms. You might have come across this lining while brushing your teeth. Since this condition does not cause any pain, you do not have to worry about it. But what causes this white line? Think of it as a callous formed in your cheek. People who have a habit of biting their cheek are more likely to develop this condition.

Linea Alba is a condition in which the inner tissue of your cheek, also known as buccal mucosa hardens. This results in the formation of a white ridge in the pink tissue of your cheek. This hardening is due to the deposition of a material called keratin. The main reason behind this condition is the friction between the teeth and the soft layer of the cheeks. The condition in itself does not lead to any major discomfort or pain but needs to be managed to ensure that it does not get thicker over time.

Causes

Just like your fingers develop calluses when you play an instrument like guitar frequently, a similar callus is formed in your cheek with repeated biting and grinding. The condition could be a result of any of these:

• If your teeth are uneven and they constantly grind or slide against each other.
• People with dentures that rub against each other may also experience this condition.
• Wearing orthodontic gear could lead to the formation of this white line.
• People who brush or floss too hard and too much may end up with Linea Alba as well.
• If you have a habit of clenching your jaw too hard, you could be at risk of developing this white line.

Biting into the hard-line will only make it thicker. Therefore, you need to stay away from biting into the cheeks if you have Linea Alba.

Care

As long as you do not further bite into your cheeks and disturb the line, you would not have a problem. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, you need to get rid of it to prevent this ridge from forming. If the problem is arising due to dentures, get them adjusted by a professional to prevent them from rubbing against each other. You need to break the habit of chewing into your cheek as it will worsen the situation for you.

While this condition is not exactly harmful, you still need to get it checked by a dentist. They can ensure that the line is actually Linea Alba and not any other harmful condition like canker sores. Some conditions like leukoplakia that resemble this white line are actually quite dangerous. Therefore, you need to be sure that the white line is just a hardened layer of keratin. If you have recently discovered this white line, get the opinion of your dentist as soon as you can.

Book an Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

“Oh! How horrified I felt that day when my son was in great pain. He couldn’t sleep all night.” When I asked his mother for knowing the reason behind the chronic pain in his teeth, she told me that Sam’s habit of chewing gum and frequent grinding of a molar tooth is behind it.

“As a father, I didn’t sleep that night and tried to avail online-consultation from the best dentist, but even this slight effort went in vain because the effect of pain took an entire night to go away.”

This is the plight of many parents who are experiencing their kids losing their teeth. This is due to gradual decay and damage that happens because of bad oral habits.

Why do kids clinch their teeth?

• Most kids are habitual of grinding and clenching the upper jaw or lower jaw tooth when the food particles get stuck at it. Owing to a vulnerable age and being a bit lazy, they perceive that grinding of the tooth deposited with food particles might let it go away. Perhaps this is the point where decaying of tooth and tooth pain emerges from this cause.
• In terms of medical sciences, Bruxism is the name given to teeth grinding that causes several oral health complications.

Reasons of Why Kids Grind their teeth

• In most adults, teeth grinding occurs due to anxiety and stress, but what it has to do with kids, because their life is carefree.
• Many reputed dental organizations have found that kids below 12 years of age grind their teeth because of the abnormal bite or crooked teeth.
• If your kid doesn’t sleep early at night and as a parent, if you have observed the disoriented pattern in his sleeping hours, then it might be the reason for causing sleep disorder.
• It is often assumed that kids grind their teeth while sleeping.

How To Find If Your Child Grinds Their Teeth?

• From the facts inscribed in the medical sciences, it has become quite evident that grinding usually occurs during sleep. Most kids aren’t even aware that to reduce/remove pain, they grind their teeth.
• In a few cases, children have shown early symptoms of Bruxism. For example, when children wake-up feeling a constant headache or find soreness in their jaws.
• Children are often told by their mothers or siblings that they grind their teeth as they hear the grinding at night.
• If you have been hearing the echo of grinding, then consult a dentist before it’s too late. It is crucial to early diagnosis and examination of mouth and jaws, and for analyzing the effects of Bruxism like jaw tenderness and excessive wear on teeth. This could save a child’s teeth from getting fixed with root canals.

Is Teeth Grinding Worrisome or Merely An Acute Pain?

• From the dental facts, it is revealed that fracturing of the teeth structure or even loss of the molar tooth is the impact of teeth grinding.
• The frequent grinding of teeth causes chronic pain responsible for wearing teeth down to stumps. During the time of occurrence of these events, bridges, crowns, dental implants, and even root canals to fix the teeth’s structure from further disorientation.
• Besides, loosening the tooth, grinding damages the jaws and often affects the appearance of the face too.

How to Combat and Limit Teeth Grinding

• Avail a mouth guard for your kid because it will protect your tiny tot’s teeth from getting ground further during sleep.
• For some time, avoid giving your kids all those foods and drinks that contain caffeine like colas, chocolate, and coffee.
• Stop your child from chewing on pencils, pens, or even nails because only then the jaw muscles of your child would not use more clenching.
• There is another alternative that can prove more helpful in easing the pain of the loss of teeth.

To accurately diagnose your child’s dental issues, always consult your nearest dentist and take timely care of your child.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.