Life can be stressful. We often hear about how stress can impact our mental health, our careers, and our relationships, but have you ever stopped to consider how stress can impact your oral health? At Teeth R Us, our team is specially trained to identify whether your stress level is impacting your oral health, and work with you to reduce the effects and make you more comfortable.
Do you often wake up with a sore neck or jaw? Have you ever sat at your desk after a tense presentation or phone call, or walked out of an argument with a friend or family member, and noticed that your jaw and neck is tight and sore? If so, you’re probably clenching your teeth from the stress of the situation. People that clench their teeth have a condition called bruxism. If your jaw is sore when you speak, chew or smile, you wake up sore, have consistent aches in your head, neck, and the side of your face, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist in North Burlington and get assessed for bruxism.
For many people, stress is more intense in the evening when they are watching television or sleeping. When a person is unconscious, they are not able to control the way their muscles move and contract. This makes it much easier for muscles to clench in reaction to the stress we encounter in our daily lives. If you sleep beside another person, ask them if they’ve noticed you clenching or grinding your teeth. Often, they will be able to hear the sounds of bruxism.
Bruxism is not something you should ignore. Not only can it cause you pain and discomfort, disrupt your sleep patterns and dampen your overall mood, but it can cause cracks and fractures in your teeth that are uncomfortable and expensive to repair.
Because clenching and grinding your teeth is something that you do without knowing it, curing bruxism is extremely difficult. However, your family dentist can work with you on solutions that will improve your bruxism, limit the pain that it causes, and reduce the chances of permanent damage to your teeth. Most dentists will recommend a mouth guard to wear while you sleep.
These are custom made to fit your mouth, making them easy to tolerate. Be sure to wear your night guard every evening to reduce the impact that bruxism can have on your overall health and well-being.
If you are suffering from bruxism, call the team of experts at Teeth R Us today. We’ll set up a time to assess your condition and work with you to find a treatment plan that fits your unique situation. Our office is always accepting new patients and emergencies. We pride ourselves on treating each patient as a member of our family. Your health and safety is our number one priority.