How Does Diabetes Increase My Risk of Gum Disease?
It’s no secret that diabetes affects your entire body, but did you know it can increase your risk of gum disease? Read on to learn how diabetes can lead to gum disease and how we can help.
How Damaging is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a condition in which individuals grind and clench their teeth periodically from time to time. While occasional teeth grinding doesn’t usually cause a lot of harm, teeth grinding that occurs on a regular basis may lead to more damage and other oral health complications.
Millions of adults and children in the United States are affected by bruxism. With that said, medical researchers and practitioners still don’t have an exact cause of the problem. Most experts however believe that bruxism may come about as a response to increased psychological stress. Bruxism has also been linked to psychological stressors such as anxiety and depression. It occurs most often while individuals are sleeping especially if they have an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth.
This brings us to the question at heart here, how damaging is bruxism? In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. This grinding will wear their teeth down to stumps. When this happens, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and complete dentures may be necessary to restore damaged or missing teeth. Teeth grinding can also affect your jaws and result in hearing loss or cause TMJ.
Although bruxism is common in adults, it is also very prominent in children. Sometimes children who experience stress or have unaligned teeth suffer from chronic bruxism. Your child should look to a dentist for unaligned teeth and undergo stress management therapy to avoid worsening symptoms of bruxism.
If you are suffering from bruxism, you may need to find a way to stop grinding your teeth. If so, talk to your dentist first and foremost about getting a night guard to shield your teeth when you sleep. Night guards are available in all the stores, but you should definitely consult a dentist to receive a custom fit one as store bought ones aren’t as comfortable as they should be. If it is stress causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Sometimes your doctor or dentist may prescribe you some medicine for muscle relaxing, sleeping, or bruxism injections if bruxism is severe.
Most individuals are unaware that they have Bruxism to start with since it occurs most often when they are asleep. If you are unaware of your sleep grinding, have someone listen in to see if you grind your teeth while you sleep. This could help you prevent the issue from worsening.
If you suffer from Bruxism and are looking for relief call Chelsea Dental Aesthetics at 212-243-6081 for an appointment today. Learn about the other services we offer by visiting our website at www.chelseasdentalaesthetics.com.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Getting Started with Invisalign: Your Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re ready to straighten your teeth with clear braces but not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we show you how to transform your smile with Invisalign® aligners.
I Brush and Floss Daily: Why Do I Need Professional Dental Cleanings?
If you brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily, you’re doing great! These are excellent ways to take care of your oral health. But you still need professional dental cleanings. Here’s why.
Why Does My Jaw Pop When I Chew?
You might not think about your jaw until it hurts, clicks, or pops. If you’re wondering why your jaw pops when you chew, read on to learn about the potential culprits and how we can help.
I Have Dental Phobia: Can You Help?
If your fear of the dentist is so great that you avoid seeing one even when you’re in pain, you have dental phobia. Don’t let extreme fear keep you from the dental care you need. Here’s how we can help.
Why Missing Teeth Are More Than an Aesthetic Issue
Are you concerned about the aesthetics of a missing tooth? Missing teeth pose cosmetic concerns but can also impact your oral and overall health. Read on to explore the implications of missing teeth and how you can address them.