812-853-3313Family Dentistry would like to share the second factor that can wear down your teeth. This second factor is bruxism or grinding your teeth. Our teeth are built to chew and grind. Our teeth are not meant for unconscious grinding or clenching. Over time, this excess grinding will damage the chewing surfaces and create micro cracks in the enamel. Once this occurs, teeth are more susceptible to decay and the molars can lose their pointed surfaces.  Tooth grinding can also cause other problems including headaches, muscle pain, and jaw injury. A dentist can determine problems with grinding at the early stage if the dentist is visited regularly. Grinding is often caused by stress due to problems from work, daily life or physical problems. To reduce grinding, stress management techniques may help. This may include any activities that help in relaxing the person. Avoiding stressful or frustrating situations can also help in reducing stress that will decrease the grinding.  Drs. Ogle, Schmitz, Hart, and Fickas can also prescribe a mouth guard or a splint that will fit over the upper and lower teeth to protect them from damage. Family Dentistry has a goal to prevent the wearing down of your teeth so that teeth can last a lifetime.  Continue to review our blog for further education in reducing the wear on your teeth.
10655 State Road 662, Newburgh, IN 47630