In times of stress, we may be more likely to grind and clench our teeth in the night, often referred to as bruxism. Unless treated, this disorder increases the risk of damaged teeth. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists will be looking at what you can do to prevent bruxism, and when you should let us know about potential dental damage!
The Causes of Bruxism
Why do some of us start grinding or clenching our teeth on a nightly basis? A number of different factors could be the cause, such as tooth loss, bite imbalance, TMJ disorder, dental misalignment, or an injury to the face or jaw. However, the most common factor is usually high levels of stress. Our anxiety could fuel bruxism, and over time, bruxism could then wear down tooth enamel or even crack and chip the tooth, exposing the sensitive inner portions to bacteria and allowing painful decay or infection to develop.
Protecting Your Smile
To help limit your risk, be sure you find ways to help manage your stress. For example, try to create a new schedule to help you better organize your new routine. Practice breathing exercises, or try yoga or a work-out routine you can do in the house. Some people take long walks (while practicing social distancing of course) and others cut back on caffeinated products or hard/chewy foods, which could otherwise exacerbate the symptoms. These actions help limit the risk of nightly teeth grinding, and protect your smile form damage!
When to See Our Team
Remember, even though we’re closed for general and elective treatments, our team is still here to help people in El Paso, TX, in need of emergency care. If you or your child reports pain in one or more of your teeth, then this could be an emergency as treatment is crucial for preventing tooth loss or worsening pain due to cavities or infection. Let us know about your discomfort. We can often repair minor damage in one visit with dental bonding, or create a lifelike crown for more substantial cracks or chips. You can also call us to discuss possible solutions to bruxism. When our doors open, we can create an oral appliance you wear at night like a mouthguard, which repositions the jaw to ease strain and also prevents further damage by putting a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth.
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO, TX ABOUT YOUR TEETH GRINDING CONCERNS
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, we want to help ensure your keeping your smile free of common oral health issues. To learn more about keeping your smile strong and safe, then contact your El Paso, TX, dentists at Sunny Smiles on Dyer Street by calling 915-859-7000.