When you keep experiencing periods of stress, or when you struggle with stress over a longer period of time, you can start to identify the physical responses that stem from this taxing state. One change you may identify is a habit of grinding your teeth. While you can stop yourself from grinding your teeth during the day, this problem can continue throughout the night while you sleep, wearing down your dental enamel and putting you at risk for damaging your enamel. Our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office can protect your smile by providing a custom oral appliance that will keep your teeth safe while you are at rest. During a routine dental exam, we can also talk to you about other ways in which stress can affect your oral health, and what you can do to protect your smile.
A Teeth Grinding Habit Can Turn Into A Serious Smile Problem
In time, a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth can put you at serious risk for dental damage. The pressure is enough to gradually wear down your enamel, which can make teeth appear flat or misshapen. If you have nightly struggles with bruxism (habitual teeth grinding), it can turn into a more serious concern, as your teeth can chip or crack. When this happens, it can take restorative dental work to return your smile to good health!
Using An Oral Appliance To Keep Your Teeth Safe At Night
You are not able to correct your grinding activity while you sleep, which is why nightly issues with bruxism are able to have a serious impact on your smile and well-being. Fortunately, a custom oral appliance can be designed to keep teeth apart as you rest for the night. The appliance is carefully made to fit comfortably, protect teeth, and ease the tension of grinding. Your dentist may bring up concerns about teeth grinding to you during a routine checkup, as they can identify signs of wear and tear.
What If My Teeth Are Already Worn Or Damaged?
If your teeth have already been worn down by this problem, we can check on your smile and determine if restorative or cosmetic dental work might be more appropriate. Cosmetic services can involve less preparatory work, and they can make changes to your appearance while minimizing changes with your tooth structure. With the placement of a dental crown, a tooth that has suffered more significant damage can be restored so that it looks more attractive, and so that it provides more support for your bite function.
Discuss Troubles With Stress And Teeth Grinding At Our Ankeny, IA Dentist’s Office
If stress has taken a toll on your oral health, either due to teeth grinding or because it led to changes in your routine, our practice can help! To find out more, please contact Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA at (515) 965-0230.
