Stress can be hard to avoid, but when it continues to affect you for a prolonged period, it can start to take a real toll on your oral health. One reason for this is that you may respond to heightened stress by grinding or clenching your teeth. Bruxism, a persistent teeth grinding habit that often occurs during sleep, can cause damage to your enamel over time that can call for cosmetic or even restorative treatment. If stress changes your daily routine, it may make you less effective at protecting yourself against dental decay and gum disease. Our Moreno Valley, CA dentist’s office is prepared to help you maintain your smile and well-being even in more taxing times. This includes offering treatment to help you deal with bruxism.

Teeth Grinding Can Cause Serious Dental Damage

Teeth grinding is a potentially serious issue that can hurt your appearance and dental well-being. This is particularly the case when you grind or clench your jaw at night, as you can do harm for a prolonged stretch of time that hurts your enamel. The more time you wait to address this, the more this issue can wear down your teeth. It can even cause a chip or crack in your enamel that requires restorative dental work.

Protecting Your Smile Through Proper Treatment

With a custom oral appliance, we can protect your smile while you sleep. Oral appliance therapy keeps teeth apart as you rest, which will prevent wear and tear from occurring. It can also help reduce stress on your jaw joints and muscles. If you only seek treatment after enamel damage occurs, we can evaluate you to determine what kind of support you require.

Other Smile-Related Concerns About Stress

Times of stress may influence your diet choices, leave you too tired to focus on smile care some days, and even cause you to put off visits with your dentist! While stress can be difficult to avoid completely, recognizing how it interferes with your health and habits can be beneficial for you in the long term.

Your Moreno Valley, CA Dentist About Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is one of many potentially harmful responses that you can have in times of heightened stress. Your Moreno Valley, CA dentist’s office is ready to help you manage problems in times when you have more stress, and we can help you develop habits that keep you safer over time. To find out more, or to reach one of our other locations, call us at the following:

Dental Associates of Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA at (951) 697-6800.

Riverside Dental Group at Woodcrest in Riverside, CA at (951) 776-9001.

Riverside Dental Group at Magnolia in Riverside, CA at (951) 689-5031.

Oasis Family Dental in Temecula, CA at (951) 695-2290.

Dental Associates of Riverside in Riverside, CA at (951) 369-1001.

Dental Associates of Corona in Corona, CA at (951) 273-9580.