Οδοντιατρείο Γρηγορίου

Οδοντιατρείο Γρηγορίου Χειρουργική Στόματος, Οδοντικά Εμφυτεύματα, Προσθετική, Ενδοδοντία, Οδοντική Χειρουργική

01/11/2025

During sleep or periods of stress, jaw muscles can contract with five to six times the pressure of normal chewing — reaching 250 to 700 psi. That’s enough force to fracture enamel, damage fillings, and even cause teeth to loosen over time.

Unlike normal chewing, which activates protective reflexes, sleep bruxism bypasses the body’s safety limits. The result: micro-cracks, enamel loss, and accelerated tooth wear that may go unnoticed until pain or breakage occurs.

Studies show that chronic grinding not only affects teeth but can also strain the jaw joints (TMJ), trigger morning headaches, and lead to facial muscle hypertrophy — giving a square or bulky jawline appearance.

Common triggers include stress, anxiety, sleep apnea, caffeine, and certain antidepressant medications. Early diagnosis is vital: once enamel is lost, it can’t regenerate.

Dentists often recommend custom night guards, stress-management techniques, and in severe cases, Botox injections to relax overactive jaw muscles.

🔹 Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

28/10/2025

When a tooth is lost, the bone beneath it starts to shrink. This happens because the jawbone only stays strong when it’s being used — the tooth’s root transfers chewing pressure that keeps the bone alive and dense. Once that root is gone, the body thinks the bone isn’t needed anymore, and it begins to dissolve slowly.

Within a few months, that empty space starts to change shape. The gums collapse inward, and the neighbouring teeth tilt toward the gap. The opposing tooth may even grow longer, trying to “find” its missing partner. What was once a simple replacement soon becomes complicated — less bone to hold an implant, less space to fit a new tooth, and a distorted bite that strains the remaining teeth.

The longer the delay, the bigger the problem: bone grafts, orthodontic corrections, and multiple procedures may be needed later. Early replacement — whether by an implant, bridge, or graft at extraction — preserves the bone, space, and smile.

A missing tooth isn’t just an empty spot — it’s the beginning of bone loss, shifting teeth, and a harder future fix. Replace it sooner, and save yourself years of trouble.

🔹 Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

27/10/2025

Around 70% of children suck their thumb at some point.
It starts as a reflex — but if it continues beyond the toddler years, it can quietly reshape how teeth, jaws, and even the airway develop.

🔹 Why children suck their thumb

For some, it begins as a reflex that becomes a comfort habit — helping them relax or fall asleep.
For others, it’s an airway response — the thumb shifts the jaw and tongue forward, making breathing easier.
And in some, it acts as a neural reflex — pressure on the palate stimulates calming nerves, reinforcing the habit.

🔹 What happens inside the mouth

Normally, the tongue rests on the palate, helping widen the upper jaw and support nasal breathing.
But when a thumb replaces the tongue, it pushes the tongue down and cheeks inward — making the palate high, narrow, and constricted.
Studies show this can even reduce airway space by up to 3 mm on imaging.

🔹 How it changes teeth alignment

Front teeth stay apart → open bite
Upper teeth flare forward → overjet
Back teeth move inward → crossbite
Children with prolonged thumb sucking are 8× more likely to develop open bite and 3× more likely to develop crossbite.

🔹 The hidden facial changes

A thumb-kept-open mouth makes the lower jaw grow downward and backward instead of forward.
This leads to a long-face growth pattern, a retruded chin, and a narrow airway — early risk signs for sleep-disordered breathing.

🔹 The muscle memory effect

Thumb sucking retrains muscles the wrong way.
Low tongue posture weakens nasal breathing.
An open bite causes tongue thrust and frontal lisp.
Lips stay apart at rest, and weak muscles encourage chronic mouth breathing.

⚠️ Common signs parents might notice

– Mouth breathing and snoring
– Restless sleep or night terrors
– Bedwetting or grinding
– Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
– ADD/ADHD-like behavior
– Dry mouth and more cavities

Research links prolonged thumb sucking with higher risks of airway and sleep-related issues — because oral habits shape the airway system early in life.

💡 The good news — it’s reversible

Positive reinforcement: comfort toys, bedtime routines, reward charts.

Myofunctional therapy: retrains tongue posture, lip seal, and swallow.

Dental airway check (age 3–4): detects early issues like allergies, small jaws, or enlarged tonsils.

Early guidance can restore balance — protecting a child’s smile, breathing, and sleep for life.

🔹 Educational content only — not a substitute for professional dental advice.

27/10/2025

A simple toothache isn’t always simple.
When a dental infection is left untreated, bacteria can spread beyond the tooth — moving into the jawbone, sinuses, or even the bloodstream.

Once bacteria enter deeper tissues, they can trigger abscesses, bone loss, facial swelling, or airway obstruction — in severe cases, spreading infection to vital organs.

Early signs like persistent pain, swelling, or a bad taste in the mouth should never be ignored. Timely dental treatment can prevent a localized infection from turning into a serious, body-wide problem.

Dental infections are medical infections — they don’t stay in the mouth forever.

27/10/2025

ORAL BACTERIA CAN TRAVEL TO THE HEART 🫀

Recent research has revealed a striking connection — bacteria commonly found in dental plaque have been detected inside the arteries and even heart tissue of patients who suffered heart attacks.

How does this happen?
When gums are inflamed or infected, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through microscopic openings in the gum tissue. Once circulating, they may trigger inflammation inside blood vessels, accelerating vascular injury and contributing to heart problems.

This doesn’t mean oral bacteria directly cause heart disease — but their presence highlights how closely oral and cardiovascular health are intertwined. Ignoring gum health can silently add to systemic risks far beyond the mouth.

Maintaining healthy gums through regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings isn’t just about preventing tooth loss — it could also play a role in protecting the heart.

🧠 Sources:
Lockhart PB, et al. (2012). Periodontal Disease and Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: Does the Evidence Support an Independent Association? Circulation.
Tonetti MS & Van D**e TE (2013). Periodontitis and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Consensus Report. J Clin Periodontol.

27/10/2025

Gingivitis Vs Periodontitis

03/09/2025

Using teeth to open bottles, tear packets, or cut threads is a split-second shortcut that can cause permanent damage. Teeth are living structures covered by enamel — strong but brittle — and they are not built to act like pliers or scissors.

A chip or tiny crack may seem minor, but microscopic fractures grow. Bacteria can enter through these breaks, causing decay, sensitivity, and sometimes infection. Deep cracks often reach the pulp and require root canal treatment, crowns, or even extraction — treatments that are costly and irreversible.

Prevention is simple and effective: use the correct tool for the job. If a tooth is already chipped or painful, don’t delay — early treatment preserves more tooth structure and costs far less than advanced restorations.

Protect your smile for life: let teeth do what they were made for — chewing and smiling — and leave the tough work to proper tools.

21/08/2025

When patients hear the word “radiation,” it often causes unnecessary concern. However, modern dental X-rays are among the safest medical imaging tools used today. The amount of radiation is extremely small—comparable to everyday sources we barely notice. For example:

Eating a banana exposes you to natural radiation from potassium; a single dental X-ray delivers about the same amount as eating a few bananas.

Spending a few minutes in sunlight actually exposes you to more radiation than a dental X-ray.

A short airplane flight exposes you to several times more radiation than a full set of dental X-rays.

Advances in technology have made dental X-rays even safer. Older film-based X-rays required higher radiation doses, but today’s digital sensors reduce exposure by up to 90% while producing clearer, more detailed images. These improvements help dentists catch problems earlier and treat them more effectively.

Dentists also take multiple safety measures to protect you, including using lead aprons, thyroid collars, and strictly following the ALARA principle—keeping radiation “As Low As Reasonably Achievable.” This means X-rays are only taken when necessary for diagnosis or treatment planning, never without a clear purpose.

In short, the radiation from dental X-rays is minimal, carefully controlled, and far outweighed by the benefits of early detection. Rather than posing a risk, dental X-rays are a vital tool for maintaining your teeth, jaw, and overall health.

____________________________________________
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional medical evaluation. The accompanying image is for illustrative purposes only.

08/08/2025

Most people don’t realize that cavities can actually spread from one person to another. While cavities themselves aren’t contagious, the bacteria responsible for them—especially Streptococcus mutans—can be transmitted through saliva. That means simple acts like kissing, sharing spoons or forks, or even blowing on a baby’s food can transfer these harmful bacteria from one mouth to another.

Once these bacteria colonize a new mouth, they begin to feed on sugars from food and produce acids that damage the tooth enamel, leading to cavities over time. This is especially important in young children, whose enamel is softer and more vulnerable. Parents, caregivers, and partners should be aware that oral hygiene affects not just themselves, but their loved ones too.

The best way to prevent this transmission is to maintain good oral hygiene, limit sugary foods, and avoid sharing utensils or toothbrushes. Regular dental checkups and cleanings also help reduce bacterial load and prevent decay. A healthy mouth is not only about brushing—it's about protecting those around you as well.

07/08/2025

Untreated tooth decay could be silently damaging your heart.

It’s now scientifically clear: cavities can be deadly — not just for your teeth, but for your heart.

A large-scale meta-analysis found that people with severe tooth loss face a 66% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular causes compared to those with little or no tooth loss. This isn’t just about chewing or smiling — it’s about life expectancy.

Why does this happen? When dental infections go untreated, harmful oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream. This can lead to chronic inflammation, which plays a major role in the development of heart disease.

In fact, according to Dr. Andrew Waxler, a cardiologist at Penn State Health, individuals with untreated tooth infections are 2.7 times more likely to develop cardiovascular issues like coronary artery disease.

Maintaining good oral health isn’t optional — it’s directly connected to heart health and overall longevity. Prevent cavities. Treat infections early. The mouth is not separate from the body — it’s the gateway to it.

Source: John Liljestra. Journal of Dental Research. “Hidden tooth infections may be warning sign of heart disease”

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