Nighttime teeth grinding can affect your well-being, hurt your smile, and do enough damage to require restorative dental work. While there are several issues that lead to trouble with teeth grinding, or bruxism, it can be a response to stress. While the holidays are a time for fun family gatherings, they also tend to keep us busy. If the hustle and bustle of the season has raised your stress levels, you may respond by grinding your teeth at night. Fortunately, your smile can be protected when you receive a custom mouth guard. Our Upton, MA dentist’s office is prepared to make and provide you with a personalized appliance that keeps your teeth apart while you sleep. When you wear it, you protect yourself against enamel damage and also reduce strain on your jaw joints and muscles.
Teeth Grinding Issues Can Develop During Periods Of Stress
Under prolonged periods of stress, we can experience physical and mood changes that impact our oral health. Changes in your mood can affect what you eat, how well you sleep, and how focused you are. This can create an increased cavity risk, as you can consume more sugar than normal, and may hurt your efforts to brush and floss properly. If you respond by grinding your teeth, it can be difficult to avoid problems with wear and tear that hurt your smile. People who continue to grind their teeth and do not seek treatment can end up seriously damaging their teeth, which will make restorative dental work necessary.
Wearing A Guard To Protect Your Smile Against Bruxism
A custom oral guard can provide a simple but important service for people who grind their teeth. To protect your enamel, you can wear the guard at night to separate your teeth and stop you from grinding or clenching. This removes the threat of enamel damage, including damage that chips or cracks teeth badly enough to require dental crowns. This separation can also reduce stress on your jaw joints and muscles, something that will reduce tension and lower your risk for pain and stiffness.
Do You Have Dental Wear And Tear To Address?
What should you do if you already have issues with enamel wear and tear? If the harm is significant, you may need to have your smile restored with dental crowns. Many people who seek treatment in time to avoid serious damage can have cosmetic dental work done to improve the way that they look.
Talk To Your Upton, MA Dentist About Your Teeth Grinding Issues
Your Upton, MA dentist is ready to help if you are grinding your teeth at night. A custom oral guard will protect you from further trouble, and the appropriate dental work can address any enamel damage that has already occurred. To find out more about our office and the services that we provide, please contact Upton Dental at 508-529-4591 to schedule a visit.