Toggle navigation
Rebecca Mooar Kelleher, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

 

573 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070

(860) 658-0010

[email protected]RMKdental.com

  • Facebook
  • blog
  • Twitter

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
    • Patient Login
    • New Patient Forms Link
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education

My Blog

Posts for tag: teeth grinding

Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields

By Rebecca Mooar Kelleher, DDS
December 03, 2017
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   teeth grinding  
LifeIsSometimesaGrindforBrookeShields

Ever since childhood, when her career as a model and actress took off, Brooke Shields has enjoyed worldwide recognition — through advertisements for designer jeans, appearances on The Muppet Show, and starring roles in big-screen films. But not long ago, that familiar face was spotted in an unusual place: wearing a nasal anesthesia mask at the dentist's office. In fact, Shields posted the photo to her own Instagram account, with the caption “More dental surgery! I grind my teeth!” And judging by the number of comments the post received, she's far from alone.

In fact, researchers estimate that around one in ten adults have dental issues that stem from teeth grinding, which is also called bruxism. (Many children also grind their teeth, but it rarely causes serious problems, and is often outgrown.) About half of the people who are teeth grinders report problems like persistent headaches, jaw tenderness and sore teeth. Bruxism may also result in excessive tooth wear, and may damage dental work like crowns and bridges; in severe cases, loosened or fractured teeth have been reported.

Researchers have been studying teeth grinding for many years; their findings seem to indicate that it has no single cause. However, there are a number of factors that play a significant role in this condition. One is the anatomy of the jaw itself, and the effect of worn or misaligned teeth on the bite. Another factor relates to changes in brain activity that occur during the sleep cycle. In fact, nocturnal (nighttime) bruxism is now classified as a sleep-related movement disorder. Still other factors, such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, and a high level of stress or anxiety, can make an individual more likely to experience bruxism.

What can be done for people whose teeth grinding is causing problems? Since this condition may have many causes, a number of different treatments are available. Successful management of bruxism often begins by striving to eliminate the factors that may cause problems — for example, making lifestyle changes to improve your health, creating a soothing nighttime environment, and trying stress-reduction techniques; these may include anything from warm baths and soft music at bedtime, to meditation and mindfulness exercises.

Several dental treatments are also available, including a custom-made occlusal guard (night guard) that can keep your teeth from being damaged by grinding. In some cases, a bite adjustment may also be recommended: In this procedure, a small amount of enamel is removed from a tooth to change the way it contacts the opposite tooth, thereby lessening the biting force on it. More invasive techniques (such as surgery) are rarely needed.

A little tooth grinding once in a while can be a normal response to stress; in fact, becoming aware of the condition is often the first step to controlling it. But if you begin to notice issues that could stem from bruxism — or if the loud grinding sounds cause problems for your sleeping partner — it may be time to contact us or schedule an appointment. You can read more about bruxism in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Stress and Tooth Habits.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink


Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2018
      • February (2)
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
        • Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
      • January (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
  • 2017
      • December (3)
        • Is Laser Treatment a Good Option for Controlling Gum Disease?
        • A Topical Fluoride Treatment Could Protect Your Child from Tooth Decay
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • November (2)
        • We can Rid You of that Lump in Your Mouth you Keep Biting
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
      • October (2)
        • Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
      • September (2)
        • Is Your Smile Too Gummy? Here's How We Might Be Able to Improve it
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
      • August (2)
        • Tips for a Tooth-Healthy Summer
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • July (2)
        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
      • June (3)
        • You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (7)
  • oral hygiene (1)
  • dental implants (1)
  • cosmetic dentistry (1)
  • x-rays (1)
  • pediatric dentistry (1)
  • tooth decay (2)
  • oral health (1)
  • nutrition (1)
  • dental emergency (1)
  • dental injury (1)
  • gummy smile (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • tmj disorders (1)
  • braces (1)
  • orthodontics (1)
  • lump (1)
  • teeth grinding (1)
  • topical fluoride (1)
  • laser dentistry (1)
  • gum disease (1)
  • dental treatment (1)
  • orthodontic treatment (1)
  • retainers (1)
  • periodontal surgery (1)

Categories:

  • Oral Health (7)
  • Dental Procedures (12)

Our Location

573 Hopmeadow St
Simsbury, CT 06070-2462
(860) 658-0010

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Appointment Request
  • Patient Education
  • Dentist Website Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map