Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Experiencing some stress is inevitable, and as daily life in our society seems to get more and more hectic, then it’s no surprise that stress levels also appear to be increasing. Stress, or failing to manage it, is a huge health risk. High stress can diminish your appetite or make it difficult to sleep. Stress can elevate blood pressure, affect your blood sugar levels and sap your physical and mental energy. But did you know that stress also can be harmful to your oral health? Keep reading as your dentists in Greeneville explore that topic, today on the blog.
Stress is considered the main reason that people grind their teeth
Clinically referred to as bruxism, this behavior refers to any time someone grinds or clenches their teeth. According to data compiled by the American Sleep Association, bruxism affects as many as 10% of American adults and 15% of children in the United States. Most people who grind their teeth do it unconsciously, in their sleep. Failing to obtain treatment for bruxism can have devastating consequences on your mouth. Grinding your teeth exerts major additional pressure on your teeth, potentially throwing your bite out of alignment, causing jaw problems including temporomandibular joint disorder, or even wearing down all the teeth in your mouth to nubs.
Tooth or jaw pain are the major warning signs of bruxism, especially if these pains develop for no apparent reason or “migrate” to different locations in the mouth. Tusculum Dental Care can treat your bruxism, but we also would like to recommend some coping mechanisms you can use to lower your stress level.
Consider these lifestyle changes to lower your stress level
- Try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night.
- Add regular exercise to your daily routine.
- Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Spend more time with loved ones.
- Play soothing music or try to avoid loud noises, which can trigger a stress response.
- Volunteer or find other ways to help your community.
- Keep a journal to chronicle your thoughts, goals and the things that make you feel stressed.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as breathing, muscle relaxation or meditation.
- You also may benefit from seeking the care of a counselor or therapist, who can help you identify and work through whatever is causing your stress.
Treating bruxism in Greeneville, Jonesborough and Erwin in Tennessee
If you or someone you love is grinding their teeth, Tusculum Dental Care can provide protection against future damage. We offer custom-made mouthguards, which are fabricated from the specific impressions of your teeth and mouth to make for a snug, secure, comfortable fit. These high-quality mouth guards protect your teeth and mouth from sustaining any additional damage from bruxism, while putting into practice some of the lifestyle and behavioral changes mentioned above hopefully will curtail the actual grinding habit from continuing.
Take steps to lower your stress level, and protect your oral health from the potential damage of bruxism. Schedule a consultation at Tusculum Dental Care today. Just call (423) 639-7575 or contact us online by completing our appointment request form.