Achord Dentistry

Holiday Stress Can Increase the Day-to-Day Dental Grind

As the holidays arrive and smiles widen, another phenomenon also grows among those who succumb to the extra busy schedule — teeth grinding. Dr. Robert Rawdin, a Manhattan dentist specializing in prosthodontics, said he had seen 20 to 25 percent more patients with teeth grinding symptoms in the last year. And in San Diego, Dr. Gerald McCracken said that over the last 18 months his teeth grinding caseload had more than doubled. Both Dr. Rawdin and McCracken blame these findings in part on the current economic climate.

With or without economic hardship, 10 to 15 percent of adult Americans moderately to severely grind their teeth according to Dr. Matthew Messina, a dentist in Cleveland, Ohio, and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association. Because it is a subconscious muscle activity, most grinders grind without realizing it until a symptom such as a fragmented tooth or facial soreness occurs. While many experts believe that genetics may play a role in teeth grinding (also known as bruxism), stress has long been known to set off clenching and grinding in some people. The most expensive option for rebuilding teeth damaged by grinding is with veneers, and or crowns. But this year, bruxism patients are requesting one of the least costly treatments — a night guard, also known as an occlusal splint. Manufacturers say sales of these devices have gone up.

Some nocturnal grinders will grind up to 40 minutes during every hour of sleep. The relentless wear and tear of grinding can erode enamel 10 times faster than that of nongrinders. It also can fracture teeth, affect bite and damage the temporomandibular joint at the hinge of the jaw, and the masseter muscle, which controls the jaws. Jaw and face pain, as well as earaches and headaches, may also occur.

Fitted in the dentist’s office, a custom guard is usually a clear, hard plastic device that runs over the top or lower teeth from front to back and prevents the top and bottom molars from making contact. Although they are more expensive (the price can range from $350 to $1,000), most dentists prefer a custom guard to over-the-counter guards. Over-the-counter guards are usually made of softer material and can actually encourage chewing and exacerbate masseter muscle activity. Another option is smaller prefabricated splints that a dentist can customize. These are generally cheaper than the fitted full arch guards and require fewer adjustments, but some dentists argue they are not as effective as the full arch guards. Many teeth grinders won’t go to bed without their night guards because they are used to the effectiveness and the comfort.

“Grinding is like body building,” said Dr. Andrew Achord of Achord Family Dentistry in Flowood. “The constant workout of the masseter muscle, the largest in the head, builds up that muscle and that can cause a lot of pain, not to mention make the face appear more square.”

A trip to Dr. Achord might be the perfect way to round out your holiday and give yourself or your loved one the gift of stress relief.

For more information on dental issues you can contact Dr. Andrew Achord of Achord Family Dentistry, located on Lakeland Drive in Flowood, Mississippi. Dr. Achord also holds a degree in immunopathology. His areas of focus include restorative dental care, diseases of the mouth and their effects on the rest of the body, and dental treatment of patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

You can also visit www.achorddentistry.com or call (601) 664-0492 to schedule an appointment.