My Blog
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- celebrity smiles (71)
- braces (13)
- orthodontics (14)
- oral piercings (1)
- oral health (20)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- bad breath (2)
- oral hygiene (21)
- common symptoms (1)
- New Port Richey (2)
- Veneers (9)
- cosmetic dentistry (15)
- teeth whitening (7)
- bleaching (1)
- discolored teeth (1)
- stained teeth (1)
- fluoride (2)
- Dental Implants (25)
- retainers (4)
- periodontal disease (1)
- gum disease (9)
- dental implant (4)
- thumb sucking (3)
- pediatric dentistry (14)
- bonding (2)
- jaw surgery (1)
- smile makeover (2)
- Dental Checkup (1)
- CEREC (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- Healthy Veneers (1)
- brushing teeth (1)
- orthodontic treatment (10)
- tooth extraction (1)
- dentures (1)
- Reviews (1)
- root canal (1)
- tads (1)
- flossing (2)
- teething (3)
- ClearCorrect (1)
- bridge (1)
- tmj disorders (4)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- Laser Dentistry (3)
- teeth wear (1)
- Cerec Crowns (3)
- crowns (5)
- partial denture (3)
- Clear Correct (3)
- pediatric care (1)
- implant overdentures (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- dental crowns (1)
- antibiotics (2)
- diabetes (2)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- root canal treatment (2)
- tooth decay (4)
- restorative dentistry (3)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (6)
- mouthguards (2)
- mouthguard (1)
- clear braces (1)
- nutrition (2)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- gum recession (1)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- Gum Pain (1)
- chipped teeth (1)
- fillings (1)
- teeth grinding (3)
- plaque (1)
- adult braces (1)
- apioectomy (1)
- medicine (1)
- chipped tooth (2)
- oral heath (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (1)
- toothache (1)
- sugar (1)
- Damaged Teeth (1)
- crown (1)
- Crowns & Bridges (1)
- gummy smile (1)
- bridgework (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- x-rays (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- jaw pain (1)
Categories:
It might seem that supermodels have a fairly easy life — except for the fact that they are expected to look perfect whenever they’re in front of a camera. Sometimes that’s easy — but other times, it can be pretty difficult. Just ask Chrissy Teigen: Recently, she was in Bangkok, Thailand, filming a restaurant scene for the TV travel series The Getaway, when some temporary restorations (bonding) on her teeth ended up in her food.
As she recounted in an interview, “I was… like, ‘Oh my god, is my tooth going to fall out on camera?’ This is going to be horrible.” Yet despite the mishap, Teigen managed to finish the scene — and to keep looking flawless. What caused her dental dilemma? “I had chipped my front tooth so I had temporaries in,” she explained. “I’m a grinder. I grind like crazy at night time. I had temporary teeth in that I actually ground off on the flight to Thailand.”
Like stress, teeth grinding is a problem that can affect anyone, supermodel or not. In fact, the two conditions are often related. Sometimes, the habit of bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding) occurs during the day, when you’re trying to cope with a stressful situation. Other times, it can occur at night — even while you’re asleep, so you retain no memory of it in the morning. Either way, it’s a behavior that can seriously damage your teeth.
When teeth are constantly subjected to the extreme forces produced by clenching and grinding, their hard outer covering (enamel) can quickly start to wear away. In time, teeth can become chipped, worn down — even loose! Any dental work on those teeth, such as fillings, bonded areas and crowns, may also be damaged, start to crumble or fall out. Your teeth may become extremely sensitive to hot and cold because of the lack of sufficient enamel. Bruxism can also result in headaches and jaw pain, due in part to the stress placed on muscles of the jaw and face.
You may not be aware of your own teeth-grinding behavior — but if you notice these symptoms, you might have a grinding problem. Likewise, after your routine dental exam, we may alert you to the possibility that you’re a “bruxer.” So what can you do about teeth clenching and grinding?
We can suggest a number of treatments, ranging from lifestyle changes to dental appliances or procedures. Becoming aware of the behavior is a good first step; in some cases, that may be all that’s needed to start controlling the habit. Finding healthy ways to relieve stress — meditation, relaxation, a warm bath and a soothing environment — may also help. If nighttime grinding keeps occurring, an “occlusal guard” (nightguard) may be recommended. This comfortable device is worn in the mouth at night, to protect teeth from damage. If a minor bite problem exists, it can sometimes be remedied with a simple procedure; in more complex situations, orthodontic work might be recommended.
Teeth grinding at night can damage your smile — but you don’t have to take it lying down! If you have questions about bruxism, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Stress & Tooth Habits” and “When Children Grind Their Teeth.”
