If you suffer from bruxism, in which you grind or clench your teeth at night, you should know that you’re at an increased risk for a plethora of serious oral health issues. Not only is this condition detrimental to your pearly whites; it can also make you appear much older! But luckily, teeth grinding is treatable with the help of your dentist in Chardon, and you can easily ensure that your teeth are healthy, and your face looks youthful! Here’s more about how teeth grinding contributes to aging and some things you can do to prevent it.
How Does Grinding My Teeth Make Me Appear Older?
Typically, we attribute things like wrinkles to smoking, sun damage, or simply getting up there in age—we rarely think of our teeth as the cause for an older appearance. But one of the main reasons for premature wrinkles around the mouth is due to a collapse in the bite caused by clenching or grinding your teeth.
And this issue is quite common; in fact, it’s estimated that twice as many Americans clench and grind their teeth over smoking! Even though facial muscle tone decreases as we age, this process is actually accelerated in patients with tooth and bone loss. Since facial muscles are attached to facial bone, bone loss severely affects these muscles and their function. Ultimately, the facial skin begins to sag, and the lips appear to be longer than usual. This combination of sagging muscles and skin, long lips, and a smaller chin ultimately make an individual appear prematurely aged.
How Can I Prevent Teeth Grinding?
Even though your muscles will weaken, and your skin will loosen as you age, you don’t have to settle for a collapsed bite due to bruxism! Consider the following to help prevent teeth grinding:
- Watch what you eat – You should stick to a diet of vitamin- and nutrient-rich foods, as well as foods that won’t damage your teeth! Be mindful of things like nuts, citrus fruits, peanut butter, and coffee—all can potentially weaken your enamel further, making your teeth more vulnerable to the effects of bruxism.
- Wear a nightguard – Since bruxism often occurs during sleep, wearing a night guard can offer a great amount of protection. These devices are custom-made and can easily put a stop to the damage occurring to your enamel while also reducing the impact the condition has on your bite and facial appearance.
- Don’t bite your nails – Biting your nails can actually cause the same type of microfractures that bruxism causes in your enamel.
- Visit your dentist – Regularly visiting your dentist will allow them to clean your teeth and address oral health issues such as bruxism.
If you’ve noticed that you’re grinding or clenching your teeth you should consult your dentist for assistance; not only can this issue impact your oral health, but it will certainly make you appear older!
About the Practice
The Chardon Smile Center is honored to serve patients and families in the Chardon, OH community under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Phillips and Dr. Brian Titus. Their practice is pleased to offer a wide range of services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange an appointment, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (440) 286-2474.