Recent news articles have been buzzing about the toll COVID is taking on our teeth. No, it doesn’t matter whether you’ve had the illness or gotten the vaccine – the stress of the pandemic alone is causing lasting damage to our smiles. Let’s discuss how COVID-19 is linked to stress and dental damage, and what you can do to protect your teeth.
Many dentists are reporting an uptick in bruxism cases since the onset of COVID-19. Bruxism, which is the clinical term for teeth grinding, is a common side effect of stress. Unfortunately, teeth grinding leads to long-term problems, including:
- Tooth decay
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Broken dental work
- Worn-down teeth
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Lockjaw
Multiple studies have linked stress and anxiety to bruxism and its side effects. You might not even know you’re doing it, because most people grind their teeth in their sleep. Many patients visit their dentist in Arcadia with tooth and jaw pain, without any idea that bruxism is to blame.
It makes sense that the economical, medical and social effects of COVID-19 would increase our stress. Fortunately, there’s something you can do to protect your teeth against bruxism.
Don’t Delay Treatment
If you’re experiencing tooth or jaw pain, or you suspect bruxism for any reason, see your dentist in Arcadia right away before your condition deteriorates. Dr. Farahmand, DMD will conduct a full exam and design a treatment plan that’s right for you. Recommend treatments are the following:
Night guard:
If the only concern is night grinding, a night guard can be fabricated so that you can prevent bruxism while you sleep. A custom-made mouth guard will be comfortable and effective.
Stress reduction:
You may not be able to do much about the pandemic, but you can reduce your exposure to other stressful situations, practice meditation or yoga, or study a few cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to reduce your anxiety levels.
Coronoplasty:
Reductive coronoplasty is a dental procedure which will reshape the biting surfaces of your teeth. In some cases, your dentist will reduce the teeth, and in others, he will add to them.
Botox:
Botox can be injected into the muscles of the jaw to reduce teeth grinding. Botox paralyzes the muscles temporarily, and without frequent use, the muscles grow weaker over time. The result? Significantly less teeth grinding and fewer symptoms of bruxism.
New bonding, crowns, and veneers can rebuild and strengthen the teeth. For those patients who experience facial pain, the most proactive solution is to schedule an appointment with your dentist in Arcadia immediately. If you have any questions or concerns about stress and how it is affecting your oral health, schedule an appointment with the highly reputable , Dr. Farahmand, DMD of OF Dental Care at 626.254.1948 or visit www.OFDentalCare.com to learn more about the top-notch dental care we provide all of our patients.
