Montague Hills Dentistry

STOP the Grinding! Prevent the Damage : Bruxism is Up Keep Your Repairs Beautiful and Budget Friendly When one thinks of achieving a beautiful, healthy smile, whitening procedures typically first come to mind, but tiny chips, small cracks and signs of wear and tear on tooth enamel are also factors contributing to the health and overall aesthetics of our smiles. ... While chipping a tooth is often the result of an accident, falls or intense contact sport injuries, chipped teeth can also occur from seemingly harmless daily occurrences such as stress, bruxism, ill-aligned bites, nail biting, chewing on hard foods or surfaces (like ice, candy, or pen caps), or even tongue piercing contact. Stress is a major contributing factor in chipped enamel and as Americans continue to experience prolonged stress due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, along with regular life stressors related to finances, job security, and healthcare costs, bruxism and jaw clenching are at an all time high. According to a survey conducted in February 2021 by the ADA Health Policy Institute, over 60% of 2,299 dentists surveyed saw an increase in chipped & cracked teeth among patients1. This increase is directly linked to over 70% of dentists seeing a rise in grinding and clenching2. Stress-related bruxism often leaves teeth darker, shorter and cracked and if this is left untreated, it may lead to muscle and joint problems in the jaw, among other consequences. While the main treatment lies in eliminating the stressors, teaching stress-management techniques and using night guards, botox and/or medicine for preventative measures - the enamel previously affected will still need to be restored.

Gems and pearls. Let Summer begins! A special request from a young lady patient.

https://www.nytimes.com//wellness-pandemic-toothbrush-chal

https://www.nytimes.com//w/live/pandemic-pod-break-up.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/10/style/plant-milk.html