In a recent article in Dentistry, Professor Andrew Eder confirms what many dental professionals
such as West Hartford Dentist Dr.
Basil has known for quite some time: stress isn’t good for the human body, and along
with wear and tear on your nerves, it can lead to tooth loss.
One
of the common signs of stress is tooth grinding, which can often go unnoticed
as it can happen while you are asleep, and this could lead to tooth
sensitivity, gum problems, difficulty chewing, headaches and neck ache, as well
as the possibility of ultimately losing teeth.
Stress
May Lead to Bruxism
Bruxism is quite simply the grinding of teeth, which can be quite destructive. While
stress and anxiety may be the most common reasons of bruxism,
other causes may include malocclusion
(misaligned teeth), sleep apnea,
and acid reflux.
Regardless
of whether you grind your teeth due to stress or for another reason, left
untreated bruxism may eventually lead to tooth loss. If you have frequent
headaches or earaches, facial or jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity, it’s important
to:
Tell
your dentist. Dr. Elzbieta Basil can check your teeth
for signs of bruxism. Teeth that are flattened, chipped, fractured, loose, or
worn may indicate bruxism. Your dentist may recommend you wear a night mouth guard to protect your
teeth from further damage.
Do
something relaxing before bedtime.
In cases where tooth grinding is due to stress, relaxation techniques prior to
sleep may help reduce the problem. A warm bath, yoga, moderate exercise, and
avoiding stimulants (coffee, tea, and smoking) before bed may help.
Seek
out medical care.
Studies have
concluded that the use of muscle relaxants from your primary care physician,
assistance from a physiotherapist, or use of biofeedback techniques have all
had some positive affect on reducing or eliminating bruxism.
Don’t
put off speaking with Dr. Basil.
Otherwise, the problem could lead to tooth loss. And, if damage resulting from tooth wear is diagnosed and addressed in its early stages, you might be able to avoid dental treatment to correct the damage that will eventually be done.
Fix
What Stress Destroyed
Stress-related
bruxism doesn’t have to ruin your smile. Along with a nightly mouthguard, in
her West Hartford dental office and
her New Britain dental office, Dr.
Basil has numerous cosmetic dentistry
techniques that can improve your smile if you already have damage. These include:
- Dental bonding is a simple process in which your dentist prepares the surface of your teeth with a liquid or gel before applying a bonding material shaped to look like your natural teeth.
- Dental crowns are more
involved, but can look just like your natural teeth. Dr. Basil may file
the damaged tooth to prepare it before covering it with a metal or
porcelain crown.
- Dental veneers are a
quick cosmetic fix for chipped, stained, or misaligned teeth using a thin
ceramic shell over the front of each tooth
Whatever
process you choose to repair your damaged smile, don’t put off speaking with cosmetic and family dentist Dr. Elzbieta
Basil if you have dental concerns.
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