23/Apr/2024

Bruxism (Teeth grinding)

The word “brux” is the term that dentists use to refer to a patient’s habit of tooth clenching and grinding. Grinding teeth can occur during waking hours, during sleep, or both. Sometimes patients are not even aware of their bruxism habit. Over time, people who clench and grind their teeth can wear them down to the point they have lost their pleasant and natural looking smile.


Appearance of Severe Wear

People who clinch and grind their teeth typically have the same characteristic wear pattern. Teeth with severe wear are generally short and all the same length. A normal smile has a more gently rounded contour with certain teeth having slightly varying lengths. Patients with clinching habits generally have worn the edges of their teeth flat and often display chipping.

Treatment Using All Crowns

Damage from teeth grinding can be so severe that the treatment of choice involves the use of all crowns. The use of porcelain crowns over the worn teeth is a reliable technique because the must be able to withstand the extreme forces from clenching and grinding. Porcelain crowns can repair the most severe dental problems. They can even replace missing teeth to offer a complete and functional bite. Visit our Smile Gallery to see some of our patient’s transformations using all crowns.

Contact Us

Dr. John Cannariato provides quality work with fantastic transformations. He is renowned for quality smile makeovers and long-lasting correction of major dental problems. If you have worn your teeth to an unflattering level and need a “new” smile, contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560.

Read more about All-Porcelain Crowns here.

For further reading related to this topic read: Aging and Oral Health and Hypersensitive Teeth.

Article Title: All Crowns – Treatment for Severe Wear

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23/Apr/2024

Most of us encounter stressful periods at some point in our lives. We are all aware that stress can have negative effects on our emotional health, but stress can also have significant negative effects on our oral health.

We know that stress can be a major contributing factor to the following conditions:

Bruxism

Bruxism is the grinding and clenching of your teeth that often occurs while you sleep. Daily stresses can bring on the pattern of Bruxism and can cause your teeth to become worn, cracked, and loose.

Periodontal Disease

Long-term stress can cause the immune system to weaken. This increases the risk of having the gums infected by plaque and developing Periodontal Disease, also known as gum disease.

Canker Sores

Although these shallow lesions have an unknown cause, research suggests several factors including the likelihood of being stress induced. Canker sores are generally harmless, but they can be quite painful.

TMJ

Stress contributes to temporomandibular joint disorders, known as TMJ or TMD. Stress and Bruxism are common causes of TMJ disorder. The trauma from grinding the teeth as well as anxiety and depression are common triggers.

Dry Mouth

Xerostomia, more commonly known as Dry Mouth, occurs when the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Dry Mouth can result from conditions caused by stress or the medications used to treat anxiety and depression.


Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome by definition is a burning sensation on the tongue, lips gums or palate. Though the direct cause is unknown, stress is one of the triggers for burning mouth syndrome.

Lichen Planus

Lichen Planus of the mouth produces white, lacy patches or lines in the mouth. It is believed to be a reaction to viral infections triggered from stress.

All of these symptoms show the indirect ways stress can influence your oral health. Stay vigilant on your daily oral hygiene routine during periods of high stress. If you are concerned that stress is affecting your teeth and gums, contact SouthTampaSmiles at (813)289–0560.

 

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