San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
In today’s day and age, it is inevitable that we deal with some amount of stress or anxiety. From demanding schedules at work, to a hectic and busy family life, adults and teens alike can suffer from bruxism, which occurs when you clench and grind your teeth. The problem is that bruxism, caused by stress or anxiety, can lead to a host of oral health concerns and even completely wreck your teeth.
Here is how to tell if you have bruxism, and how your Glen Park dentist can help restore your smile and protect your teeth from future episodes of bruxism.
What is bruxism?
As we mentioned, bruxism involves clenching and grinding your teeth. Many people who experience bruxism do so while they are sleeping, and are completely unaware that they even have this problem. You may wake with headaches in the morning or experience teeth that feel tender or sore. Eventually, if left untreated, you can literally wear your dental enamel away and grind your teeth down to little numbs! It starts off as the chewing surfaces of your teeth becomes flat, and then the teeth grind away. Hopefully, you can recognize the common symptoms associated with bruxism and stop it before you need costly dental repairs.
Common symptoms of bruxism include:
- Frequent headaches (especially upon waking up)
- Sensitive teeth
- Worn teeth (flat on the chewing surface or tips)
- Tongue indentions
- Jaw joint pain
- Gum disease
- Canker sores
- Broken teeth
- Damaged dental restorations
How the dentist can help you protect your teeth against bruxism
Your Bay Area dentist can help you protect your teeth against the devastating effects of bruxism my custom designing a mouth guard. The mouth guard will fit snug, yet is comfortable enough to wear while sleeping or even during the day, should you need to wear it while you are awake. We can adjust the mouth guard to fit the changing needs of your bruxism. The mouth guard works by absorbing the force that your teeth exert when clenching and grinding them. You essentially wear down your mouth guard instead of your teeth!
Getting a mouth guard – the process
You have most likely seen mouth guards available in stores. However, these mouth guards do not provide a custom fit, nor are they as effective. A custom mouth guard from your cosmetic dentist in the Bay Area may cost more on the front end, but you are protecting your teeth from costly dental repairs.
Here’s how the process works
Getting a custom-made mouth guard from the dentist is easy. We start by taking impressions of your mouth, which are then used to make molds that the dental lab will use when fabricating your oral appliance. The process of getting the mouth guard may take up to a couple of weeks but is well worth the wait since you will be providing unparalleled protection for your teeth. When you return to our office, we will ensure the mouth guard fits properly, and make any adjustments necessary.
Reduce the stress in your life
Aside from wearing a mouth guard, you should try to relieve the stress in your life, if possible. You may not be able to change jobs or eliminate extracurricular activities, but try to find other ways such as exercise and eating healthy to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Meditation can also help relieve stress and anxiety. Some people may even benefit from professional counseling.
Repairing damaged teeth
If your teeth have been damaged by bruxism, Glen Park Dental offers a variety of cosmetic dental treatments to repair your smile. We can install veneers, complete crowns, and even dental implants – should you experienced tooth loss from your bruxism.
Mouth Guards in Bay Area
To learn more about mouth guards or to schedule a consultation, contact Glen Park Dental at (415) 585-1500 to schedule a consultation.
Glen Park Dental is proud to serve the oral health needs of patients in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California.
