Over the last year and a half, we’ve all shared the unprecedented stress of a global pandemic and all it has done to our lifestyles, our health, and our state of mind. On top of that, you have the normal stress of simply living your life, perhaps as a spouse, a parent, a student, or a professional.
When you’re under a great deal of stress, you might be putting your smile at risk without even realizing it. Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth are things you might be doing involuntarily throughout the day or even when you sleep. And without intervention, it can lead to all sorts of problems that will only get worse.
5 Reasons To Stop Grinding Your Teeth Now!
By wearing a custom oral appliance made by your Highland dentist, Dr. LoCascio, you can stop this habit. Here are five good reasons to address it now:
- To Prevent Tooth Wear & Tear – Your teeth are certainly strong enough to handle wear and tear from normal use, but what they aren’t designed to withstand is the constant grinding and clenching of your upper teeth against your lower teeth. Over time, it will change the shape of your teeth and the appearance of your smile.
- To Avoid Oral Health Problems – On top of worn teeth, you risk damaging your tooth enamel when your upper and lower teeth are constantly smacking into each other. Any weak spots or fractures create a gateway for harmful bacteria to enter teeth and cause decay, cavities, and infection.
- To Ease Jaw Pain – Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are related to problems with the alignment of your jaw joint itself. The added stress you’re already putting on your jaw can worsen any pain, tension, or tenderness in the head, face, neck, and shoulders caused by a potentially related TMJ disorder you may have.
- To Protect Your Gums – Grinding your teeth will inevitably cause them to shift back and forth, which irritates and inflames the gums. This can leave you quite vulnerable to the development or worsening of gum disease, which threatens your oral and overall health.
- To Protect Your Restorations – Just as you can wear or damage your teeth, grinding and clenching can also harm your dental restorations like crowns and fillings. You want any restorative work from the past to last as long as possible, so ending your teeth grinding is important to getting the most out of your investment.
Don’t hurt your smile or your health with a condition that’s easily treatable! Let us provide a custom device that will end your teeth grinding habit, heal your jaw problems, and ease your pain!
Call Highland Advanced Dental Care today at 248-329-3552 or visit us online to schedule an appointment in Highland, MI.