Dentist Scottsdale Facts: How Bruxism Can Take Away Your Smile

Author: PV Smiles Reem Kidess | Posted on with comments

Dental problems are unfortunately a part of life. Everyone is bound to experience a toothache or two. What’s terrifying about dental problems is that sometimes, they are difficult to detect until the pain becomes severe. One dental problem to watch out for is bruxism. Bruxism is a condition characterized by the grinding of one’s teeth sometimes accompanied with jaw clenching. If you or anyone you know has shown signs of bruxism, it is best to seek help from dentists in Scottsdale, AZ.

The reason teeth grinding occurs has never been clear. However, it is known that bruxism rarely occurs independently. Several studies have shown that bruxism is more likely to be found in people who have existing sleep disorders such as snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). In addition, it is frequently reported that individuals who suffer from other parasomnias such as sleep talking and sleep paralysis also have a greater chance of developing bruxism.

While teeth grinding is commonly associated with sleep disorders, it is also reported that stress and anxiety may also be significant factors. According to research, nearly 70% of bruxism cases occur as a result of job-related stress. This job-related stress then causes people to be sleep-deprived. A study found out that workers who suffer from stress because of their schedule are more susceptible to bruxism than their satisfied counterparts. Additionally, previous studies associated bruxism with the workplace.

Bruxism may seem innocuous, but it can be devastating over time. In some cases, constant teeth grinding can result in loss of teeth. Grinding the teeth repeatedly can wear the teeth down to a fraction of its original size. Furthermore, severe grinding can also affect the jaws, result in hearing loss, and even change the appearance of your face. Before bruxism causes severe damage, visit a dentist Paradise Valley residents can trust.

Dentists have several ways to correct bruxism. They use different oral splints such as nightguards, stressguards, teeth-grinding guards, dental guards, occlusal guards, and many others. These devices protect your teeth from grinding during sleep. If stress is the main cause of your teeth grinding problem, ask a doctor about options to reduce your stress. You may also want to attend stress counseling or obtain prescriptions for muscle relaxants.

Bruxism can take away your beautiful smile. A simple smile can mean a world of difference—losing it is a setback that is hard to recover from. Don’t let dental problems get in the way of smiling and happiness. Visit a dentist Scottsdale residents can trust today and start smiling towards a beautiful tomorrow.