Currently, stress is spreading throughout the country due to the uncertainty and disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It can impact both your mental and physical health. But do you know the impact it can have on your oral health? Dr. Mohammad Izadi, an orthodontist in Cockeysville, MD, discusses what you need to be on the lookout for.
Teeth Grinding and Clenching
When people are stressed, even if they didn’t previously have an issue with grinding their teeth, they tend to develop the habit. This can lead to a variety of concerns with your teeth, due to the pressure they’re put under. Teeth can get worn down much quicker than they normally would be. They can also be more susceptible to chips, cracks, and breaks.
If your teeth get too worn down or you have a severe break, you may need to have a tooth extraction to remove the remainder of the tooth. Teeth grinding can also be a sign of a TMJ disorder, which can come from misalignment of your jaw. This can require orthodontics work to fix and get your jaw back into the proper alignment.
Broken Orthodontics Equipment
If you already have braces, teeth grinding and clenching may lead to you go as far as breaking a wire on your braces. During the time that your wire is broken, the braces aren’t working the way you should. This means that you’re probably going to have to wear the braces longer than you would originally.
Many times, teeth grinding or clenching is more common at night. If you’re sleeping with a retainer in, it could cause issues with the way it fits, or even damage it. Grinding your teeth has the potential to move and reposition them. You want to keep your teeth the way they were when you finished with braces. You may have to get fitted for a new retainer if they move too far out of their original position.
Your Orthodontist in Cockeysville, Maryland
Stress can definitely have an impact on your teeth. If you have broken braces or a damaged orthodontic device, we want to make sure that’s taken care of. We can also evaluate your need for orthodontic care after this pandemic. Call us or schedule an appointment online for the future. We hope to see you soon!