Dental Implant News for Newport Beach:
Could Your Teeth-Grinding Habit be causing the Early Demise of Your Teeth? PART 2 This two-part article series explains the hazards of teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching and how the damage done to your natural teeth could cause you to require dental implants. Welcome to the second half of this two-part article series on the effects of teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching – otherwise known as “Bruxism” – on the health of your teeth. In Part 1, we spoke about just what Bruxism can do to the teeth of affected Newport Beach residents and what associated risks dentists warn against. It was explained that this nasty habit erodes the dental enamel on the biting surfaces of the teeth; it can cause fracturing, cracks and fissures to develop and it can lead to a greater risk of decay. What we now want to know is what you can do to treat and/or prevent this problem from happening in the first place. But first, considering that grinding one’s teeth is typically done sub-consciously or at nighttime while asleep, how do you know whether or not you have Bruxism?
Knowing You Have a Problem There is one person who will definitely be able to tell you whether you grind your teeth and/or clench your jaws and that will be your dentist! Dentists can easily help Newport Beach residents with a diagnosis: they can typically see from the wear patterns on the biting surfaces of their dentition whether or not they have Bruxism. Your spouse or partner may also be able to provide some clues. Teeth grinding is entirely audible to those who sleep next to you – it’s a sound not too different from nails on a chalkboard - so ask your bedfellow if they’ve ever heard you. Last but not least, if you’ve ever experienced any jaw pain or stiffness or any other temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, such as a popping sound when you articulate your jaw, you may have a problem and it’s best to get it checked out if you don’t want to find yourself in the office of a Newport Beach dental implants surgeon. Clenching and grinding can put abnormal pressure on the joint between the lower jaw (the mandible) and where it connects to the skull (the temple). This joint and the muscles and tendons surrounding it can become painful, stiff and inflamed as a result, so these symptoms can indicate that you have Bruxism.
What’s the Solution for Newport Beach Residents? As it was explained, this habit is more often than not done sub-consciously; or it is done at nighttime when you’re fast asleep, so simply stopping it can prove to be exceptionally difficult, if not impossible. The solution to Bruxism is first to have it diagnosed by a Newport Beach dentist and then to prevent the damage done by teeth-grinding. The solution is often a mouth guard, which you should wear at night, every night. Your dentist will create an impression or mold of your teeth and will then have a customized mouth guard made for you, which you should be able to pick up within a day or two. The mouth guard will prevent the teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching motions from stressing or damaging your dental enamel. A course of anti-inflammatory medications and some painkillers should be sufficient to calm any associated TMJ problems or symptoms. Your dentist may also show you some jaw exercises to help relieve muscle stiffness and pain.
The Long Term Dental implant surgeons and dentists often associate teeth grinding and jaw clenching with a stressful lifestyle, so in the long term the best way to combat Bruxism is to find outlets for stress and to learn how to better cope with it. You might consider taking up yoga, kickboxing or some other form of exercise. Or you may want to address what it is that causes you so much anxiety in life and deal with it, whether it’s a nasty relationship or a difficult boss. Your general and oral health could depend on it!
About the Author, Dr. John A. Aguilera Dr. John A. Aguilera is a licensed dentist in Newport Beach who has a passion for cosmetic dentistry and for the treatment of missing teeth using dental implants. His practice, Corona Del Mar Dental Group, is regarded as one of the best in Orange County and with more than 30 years worth of experience in serving Newport Beach, it’s no wonder why. Dr. John A. Aguilera also serves as a senior mentor/instructor at the California Center for Advanced Dental Studies and takes great pride in making information about dental care, procedures, treatments and technologies like dental implants Newport Beach through regular blog and article posts.
www.cosmeticdentistrynewportbeach.co
Thanks for reading!