Recent news from the London Tooth Wear Centre confirms what many dental professionals such as your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist have known for quite some time: stress isn’t good for the human body. Along with wear and tear on your nerves, it can lead to tooth loss.

As this January 2016 post notes, “One of the common signs of stress is tooth grinding, which can often go unnoticed as it can happen whilst asleep, and this could lead to tooth sensitivity, gum problems, difficulty chewing, headaches and neck ache, as well as the possibility of ultimately losing teeth.”

Stress May Lead to Bruxism

While stress and anxiety may be the most common reasons of bruxism (teeth grinding), other causes may include malocclusion (misaligned teeth), sleep apnea, and acid reflux.

Regardless of whether you grind your teeth due to stress or for another reason, left untreated bruxism may eventually lead to tooth loss. If you have frequent headaches or earaches, facial or jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity, it’s important to:

Tell your dentist. Your Century City cosmetic dentist can check your teeth for signs of bruxism. Teeth that are flattened, chipped, fractured, loose, or worn may indicate bruxism. Your dentist may recommend you wear a night mouthguard to protect your teeth from further damage.

Do something relaxing before bedtime. In cases where tooth grinding is due to stress, relaxation techniques prior to sleep may help reduce the problem. A warm bath, yoga, moderate exercise, and avoiding stimulants (coffee, tea, and smoking) before bed may help.

Seek out medical care. Studies have concluded that the use of muscle relaxants from your primary care physician, assistance from a physiotherapist, or use of biofeedback techniques have all had some positive affect on reducing or eliminating bruxism.

Don’t put off speaking with your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist. Otherwise, the problem could lead to tooth loss.

Fix What Stress Destroyed

Stress-related bruxism doesn’t have to ruin your smile. Along with a nightly mouthguard, your Century City cosmetic dentist has numerous dental techniques that can improve your smile.

• Dental bonding is a simple process in which your dentist prepares the surface of your teeth with a liquid or gel before applying a bonding material shaped to look like your natural teeth.
• Dental crowns are more involved, but can look just like your natural teeth. Your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist may file the damaged tooth to prepare it before covering it with a metal or porcelain crown.
• Dental veneers are a quick cosmetic fix for chipped, stained, or misaligned teeth using a thin ceramic shell over the front of each tooth

Whatever process you choose to repair your damaged smile, don’t put off speaking with you Century City cosmetic dentist if you have dental concerns.