Richard B. Knight, DMD, PC

2010-10-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

About Bruxism
About 15 percent of people have a habit of grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws, a condition called bruxism. Most people do it in their sleep, so it often goes undetected until a family members hears the grinding sound our a dentist notices symptoms. If diagnosed early enough, bruxism can be treated before it causes damage to the teeth.

Causes of Teeth Grinding
In some cases, grinding occurs because the top and bottom teeth are not aligned properly. It may be a response to pain, such as an earache, or the result of a sleep disorder. Most often, bruxism is related to stress. Alcohol and caffeine intake can aggravate the condition, causing more severe grinding or clenching.

Effects of Bruxism
In many cases, bruxism doesn't cause any damage. But if the grinding is severe enough, it can:
- Wear down tooth enamel
- Chip teeth
- Increase temperature sensitivity
- Erode gums and supporting bones
- Break fillings or other dental work
- Worsen tempromandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
- Result in cosmetic damage

Symptoms to Look For:
- Teeth grinding, often during sleep
- Jaw pain, headache or earache
- Frequent contraction of muscles on the side of the face
- Sensitive teeth
- Theet that look flat at the tips
- Abnormal alignment of teeth

Teeth Grinding in Children
Bruxism is common in children. Three out of ten kids grind or clench their teeth, usually before the age of five. They may grind their teeth in response to jaw growth, losing or getting new teeth, or the pain and discomfort of other ailments, like allergies or ear infections. As in adults, stress often contributes to bruxism in children. Teeth grinding is usually a passing phenomena in kids, and most outgrow it by the time they reach adolescence.

Treating Bruxism
When stress is the major cause of bruxism, relaxation methods like counseling or psychotherapy can dramatically reduce grinding. Other treatments may include muscle relaxants or physical therapy. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided by anyone who suffers from bruxism.

When bruxism is serious enough to damage the teeth or case jaw or facial pain, we can fit patients with plastic mouth guards to be worn at night, designed to prevent grinding during sleep. In some cases, replacing an old crown or filling or filing down a high surface can change the bite and eliminate pressure.

Self-Help Suggestions
- Learn how to rest your tonge, teeth and lips properly with your tongue upward, teeth apart and lips shut
- Relax clenched muscles by massaging your face or holding a warm, moist washcloth to your cheek
- Avoid chewing gum
- Talk to Dr. Knight about other steps you can take to relieve the discomfort of bruxism

*Courtesy of American Dental Association

2010-10-26T13:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween Photo Contest

We are going to compile a photo album of the children of our office and their positive “Halloween habits”. If you would like to participate, please take a photo of your child in his or her costume with their toothbrush and email it to our office at richardknight@integra.net.

Adults can participate too!

2010-10-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Food Drive
October & November

Please help our community enjoy this holiday season by donating non-perishable food items before November 22nd. All food collected will be distributed a few days before Thanksgiving to families in the Portland Metro area.

Please help us reach our goal of 200 lbs of donated items!

Foods and products especially needed:

· breakfast cereal (both dry and hot)

· foods high in protein (like tuna and peanut butter)

· whole-grain pasta

· canned veggies and fruit

· baby food, formula, diapers

· toilet tissue

· hygiene products

2010-10-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Help our office GO GREEN!

It is now possible to have your statement emailed directly to you. Please email us at richardknight@integra.net if you are interested.

Dr. Knight was featured in the OHSU School of Dentistry Alumni Newsletter

2010-10-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Alumnus Shares What He’s Learned About Caring

When Rich Knight, D.M.D. ’79, was about 10-years-old, he watched his father and his regular Sunday golf buddies do

“gimmes” while putting, counting anything within two feet of the hole as having been sunk. A week later, when young Richard returned home after playing a round of golf on his own, he announced to his dad his “best golf day ever!” Richard then explained to his dad that he had modified his father’s definition of a “gimmie” to count any putt on the green as good.

“My dad got a funny look on his face and said, ‘But, Rich, that’s cheating!’ ” recalls Dr. Knight.

That experience – and another when his mother reminded him as a teen to honor a commitment he’d made to a younger boy –were among many that taught Dr. Knight the values of honesty, integrity, trust, and accountability. He believes values continue to be developed and clarified throughout our lives. The values he has developed form the foundation of his message of “Caring”which he has presented this year for such audiences as the Oregon International College of Dentists and the faculty conference of the OHSU School of Dentistry.

Dr. Knight is a former Alumni Association president (2007-2008) and the School’s first recipient of the prestigious Stephen Peglow Award, an honor given annually to one graduating OHSU dental student who most exemplifies professionalism. He is married to Honey, R.D.H., and they have three children and two grandchildren.

“I want to deal with people fairly in ways that benefit them as well as me,” said Dr. Knight, during the OHSU SOD faculty conference in late September. “Caring for others doesn’t mean that I treat everybody the same way. I will treat various people in different ways depending on their needs, cultural background, and communication style.”

“I want to treat people with respect and to show they matter to me. When this is done honestly, it can provide a framework for establishing trust.”

Dr. Knight said he tries to set his ego aside and avoids putting himself in situations where one person gains at the expense of another. He looks for common ground upon which to develop relationships.

“People will sense when someone cares,” he said. “Caring can mean different things to different people. Our job as dentists is to determine the person’s needs and then organize our caring and treatment around those needs.”

“I believe caring exists when one has the desire to connect with and value other people.” Dr. Knight said caring only happens with effective forethought. “Caring requires that the caregiver is able to sense or ask in what form the recipient wants the care to be given.”

Being honest, caring, and compassionate to others, consistently aligning his actions with values, being a life-long learner, holding himself and others accountable, and striving to do what is right in every situation are parts of Dr. Knight’s professional vision.

He describes his leadership style as a dentist and a teacher/facilitator as one who models the way. “To create new behaviors in others, those behaviors must be modeled in a safe environment where it is okay to make mistakes and to learn from them. I try to speak professionally and respectfully to patients, students, and co-workers. I also respect them for who they are, rather than how I want them to be. I use my interactions with patients to model the professional behavior I want to see the students exhibit. Each patient interaction is a potential learning experience.”

He also tries to enable others to act by encouraging them to trust themselves and be unafraid to make mistakes while learning. “When I was in dental school, it was not uncommon for teaching to occur through fear or intimidation,” said Dr. Knight. “A safe and caring environment allows students to relax and learn more effectively.”

Dr. Knight suggests trusting others and at the same time holding them accountable. To build trust, he recommends discussing openly in front of others how you trust that person.

“I make a conscious effort to create a climate that will encourage and sustain trust,” he said. “It is important to be open to input and consider each person’s alternate viewpoint. I also like to celebrate others’ victories and recognize publicly the commitment and contribution of others.”

“I have seen all these values, leadership, and teaching styles within the School faculty, staff, and administration,” including such alumni as Dean Jack Clinton, D.M.D. ’64, Jim Tinkle, D.M.D. ’79, Don Sirianni, D.M.D. ’64, Peter Morita, D.M.D. ’86, Bob Quinn, D.M.D. ’55, Bill Bonniksen, D.M.D. ’75, John Lee, D.D.S., andMike Hoag, D.M.D. ’76.

“Gone are the days of the classroom where the teacher looks at the students as empty vessels to be filled with the teacher’s knowledge,” said Dr. Knight. Now is a time where we as “facilitators” need to appreciate the knowledge the students already have and help them along their journey to a greater understanding. We all are students and we all help each other on that lifelong journey. I learn something new each day!”