{"id":180,"date":"2019-07-15T20:44:11","date_gmt":"2019-07-15T20:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vollersmiles.com\/blog\/?p=180"},"modified":"2019-08-19T20:46:48","modified_gmt":"2019-08-19T20:46:48","slug":"dentist-in-kittanning-teeth-grinding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vollersmiles.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/15\/dentist-in-kittanning-teeth-grinding\/","title":{"rendered":"Dentist in Kittanning: Protect Your Teeth While You Sleep!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You think you take\npretty good care of your teeth; you brush and floss after every meal, and you\nsee the dentist in Kittanning regularly. But at your last appointment, you\nfound out that despite your strict routine, your teeth are starting to wear\ndown! How did this happen? You may be surprised to learn that it may very well\nhave been while you slept; here\u2019s why your pearly whites might be at risk while\nyou\u2019re getting some shut eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Do Teeth Wear Down?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The outer layer of the teeth is enamel, which is far harder\nthan your bones. This layer protects the teeth from the daily stresses of\nchewing and biting. The downside is that enamel isn\u2019t living tissue, so it\ndoesn\u2019t grow back if gets damaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyday wear and tear (as well as tooth decay) can cause\nyou to lose enamel. There are ways for the body to remineralize the teeth and\nkeep them strong, but only to an extent. If too much enamel is lost, it can\u2019t\nbe recovered, and the tooth will be more vulnerable to cavities and other forms\nof physical damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Could Be Wearing My Teeth Down at Night?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Oftentimes, the culprit behind nighttime wear and tear of\nthe enamel is bruxism, a condition where you grind and clench your teeth while\nyou\u2019re asleep. This could be a result of stress, anxiety, or general anger and\nfrustration. It might also be due to other dental issues, such as a misaligned\nbite or crooked teeth; it could even be a side effect of a severe sleep\ndisorder such as sleep apnea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to damaging your teeth, bruxism can also cause\nheadaches and severe facial or jaw pain. You could eventually develop a\ndisorder of the temporomandibular joints that connect the jaw to the head,\ncausing lockjaw or clicking sounds when you speak or chew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can I Do If I Grind My Teeth at Night?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Usually your dentist in Kittanning will give you a mouth\nguard to wear at night to protect your teeth from the stresses of grinding.\nThere are several steps you can take at home as well, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n