Stress, tension, anxiety, worry … these words describe the feelings many realize on a daily basis. Our jobs, families, finances, school … these are primary reasons for stress, but there are so many other situations that result in jaw clenching, hassle filled days and nights that can affect overall health, and specifically dental health.
Of course, the obvious solution is to remove the daily stressors; but logically that is not always a workable answer. So instead we must find resolutions that will ease the pressure we put on our mouths in the form of teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
You might not even realize you are impacting your oral health. Teeth grinding often starts subconsciously during periods of sleep. Over time this habit becomes so ingrained that you will grind your teeth while reading, watching TV, sitting at your desk, or even while you think you are relaxing.
You might wonder what damage could be occurring, and what might be done to stop it? The damage could be worn dental enamel leading to decay; the pressure from regular grinding can lead to cracked or broken teeth; and over time your bite can even be altered.
You might be waking up with aches and pains in your neck, head, jaw, or ears that you never had before. A great place to start to determine what is happening is with your dentist. The signs of bruxism will be readily evident to your dentist; and the recommendation to start wearing a night guard to put a halt to nightly grinding will likely be made.
A customized night guard will be fabricated to fit your needs. And since it will be made specifically to your mouth, the design and fit will allow you to comfortably wear it to break the nightly habit of grinding and jaw clenching.
You might have considered acquiring a night guard at your local store or online, but these one size fits all solutions are rarely the answer. A poor fit and discomfort will discourage use, and will never provide the relief you need if you don’t wear it.
A customized fit will encourage usage that will diminish the grinding and clenching habit. Your dentist will be able to diagnose and present a solution that will make you feel better and end a habit that is damaging to your oral health. For more information, contact our team at Howl Dental. Call 918-749-1626 today to schedule your visit.