How grinding your teeth can affect your oral health

Article written by Elite Dental Group

Many habits can affect a person’s oral health, ranging from the food they eat, their oral hygiene habits to their genetics. New research now suggests that our mood can have a significant impact on our oral health. When people are worried or anxious they can develop a condition called bruxism, which can seriously affect a person’s teeth, gums, and jaws.

Bruxism is triggered by anxiety which causes a person to clench and grind their jaws. Patients with this condition may notice that they grind their teeth during the day or when they sleep. If a patient suffers from bruxism for many years, they will notice symptoms such as facial and jaw pain, earache, sleep disruptions, headaches, chipped, cracked, broken, or worn teeth.

Although teeth grinding is usually due to stress and anxiety, in some cases, certain medications, poor habits such as smoking, drinking, drug use, sleep apnea, and snoring can cause this condition.

Teeth grinding can be dangerous as it can cause teeth to wear while resulting in mouth and jaw pain. Excessive grinding can cause infections and dental abscesses that can cause severe gum damage.

Treatment for bruxism will involve addressing stress levels by learning relaxation techniques that help to relax a patient during the day and before bed. Taking up exercise or yoga has also helped patients manage their stress and anxiety levels.

A dentist will offer immediate and practical ways to reduce teeth grinding by creating a mouth guard tailor-made to the patient’s mouth. The mouth guard will act as an airbag to reduce the friction between teeth.

Dr. Andre Eliasian is one of the leading dentists in oral surgery in Glendale CA. His clinic offers several services which include fillings, tooth extractions, and complex oral surgeries. If you are looking for wisdom tooth extraction in Glendale or dental implants in Glendale call for an appointment.