24 Feb Is Your Mouth Stressed Out?
Stress and anxiety occur daily for many of us. Problems at work, time constraints, family issues, financial problems … even minor occurrences like a traffic jam can push a normally patient person to a stressed out condition. Unfortunately, one of the first places we feel tension is in our mouth, so dentistry treatments may help bring relief to a stressed out mouth.
What is meant by the mouth being stressed out? Basically, daily pressures can manifest themselves subconsciously during periods of sleep. The brain keeps on clicking and the problems of the day are felt when we clench the jaw and grind our teeth. While you may awaken without the knowledge that you were committing this act during the night, over time there are things that make this habit more evident.
Your partner may be the first to hear the sound of gnashing teeth during the night. Then you awaken with an earache, headache, neck pain, or jaw discomfort. As time marches on, this habit that started at night begins to occur during the day. It is still done somewhat subconsciously, so unless you are aware of the problem it can continue for months.
Thankfully, our dentist has a couple of solutions to try. A minor adjustment to your bite may help if the source of stress has been resolved. But if an occlusal adjustment does not provide the relief you need, the fabrication of a mouth guard to be worn throughout the night may be the solution for you.
A mouth guard designed especially for you by your dentist will prevent the grinding and clenching done during the night. Eventually, once the night time habit ceases, the daytime grinding will probably go away as well.
Having a mouth guard made by your dentist versus purchasing a “one size fits all” type at your corner pharmacy or online has many benefits. The design and material of your mouth guard is important for your comfort. If it doesn’t fit well, you won’t wear it. Even though many standard mouth guards state you can customize them to fit, they just don’t compare to one fabricated for your specific needs. Adjustments can be made by our dentist, if needed.
A stressed out mouth can lead to broken teeth and daily discomfort; it is treatable so don’t hesitate to contact our team at Aesthetic Dental Partners to find relief.