No two denturists are the same. If you have been wearing dentures for a while, you know that no two sets of dentures are the same. Finding a quality, experienced denturist can seriously impact the comfort of your dentures. You do not have to deal with loose plates, gums that are rubbed raw, distorted speech, and the inability to eat your favorite foods. If you have any of these problems, there are a few things that you can try before replacing your dentures. Use what I have learned over my 15 years of wearing dentures to find a perfect fit and optimum comfort in your dentures.
finding comfort when wearing dentures
The Perils Of Bruxism On Cosmetic Dentistry
Priscilla Hansen
Bruxism is a common habit shared by many people, but if you are constantly clenching and grinding your teeth, you may be causing severe damage to your jaw and mouth. In addition to this, you may also be ruining your cosmetic dentistry work such as veneers, bonding, crowns, or bridges.
Many people who are afflicted with bruxism are not conscious of their condition. Most episodes of teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching happen while you are sleeping, and therefore, you may be unaware that you are doing it.
Unless someone tells you that you are having a bruxism episode in your sleep or you wake yourself up in the middle of grinding your teeth, you may be wondering why you have small cracks in your veneers or why your crowns are wearing down. Severe tooth grinding not only wears down and stresses your natural teeth, but it also can damage your dental work.
Causes
Bruxism usually happens to everyone at some point in their lives. There are some people, however, that grind their teeth very frequently, and it is those individuals who are at risk for damaging their dental work.
Emotional problems such as anxiety and stress, as well as physical problems such as an uneven bite and misaligned teeth can contribute to bruxism. While an underbite or overbite and misaligned teeth can certainly lead to bruxism, emotional factors are usually the most common cause.
Treatment
If chewing on pens or pencils, or any other item, for that matter, is a habit, try to curtail it, because it encourages teeth-grinding while you sleep. Wearing a dental guard will help prevent jaw clenching, and thus lower your risk for dental work damage. Dental guards protect your teeth and may even relieve associated neck pain that is often another symptom of bruxism.
If your dentist believes that your tooth grinding is related to stress or anxiety, he or she may refer you to your primary care physician, who will recommend treatment options best suited to your particular situation.
A short course of anti-anxiety medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, dietary measures, mild exercise, and quitting smoking, can all help relieve stress, and therefore, improve your sleep. When you sleep more peacefully, you are less likely to grind your teeth.
If you notice any chips, cracks, or any other damage to your veneers, bondings, crowns, or bridges, see your dentist right away, who will determine if they are related to bruxism. When you work with both your dentist and physician, an effective treatment plan can be initiated to help keep your stress-free and your dental work looking beautiful.
Check out a website like http://www.cresthillfamilydental.com for more information and assistance.
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