Recently I had written an article about stress and how it related to your dental health.

Clenching and grinding can be a disease process with the cracking and wearing of the
teeth requiring major reconstruction. Lifestyle trends, medications, and habits can all be
contributors to the problem.

Another method to control the clenching and grinding can be the use of muscle relaxers
in the form of botulism toxin (BOTOX). It has been used for years in its present form
with a long track record for safety. Botox is used to treat headaches, muscle spasms, muscle
tension, as well as helping relax the muscles that produce the lines and wrinkles in your
skin.

There is an increasing trend for the use of Botox with the younger generation. People in
their early 30’s and 40’s are using Botox to prevent wrinkles and lines from creating
the deep folds in the face, as well as headaches from muscle spasms.

Stress can be a real problem for oral health as well as your quality of life. Relaxing the
muscles of the face can have significant health and lifestyle benefits.

Stress….It seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. Stress from the weather.
Stress from traffic. Stress from teenagers. Stress from job. Stress from lack of sleep.

Our mouth can be one of the first places stress takes its toll. Gums that bleed, jaw
joints that ache from clenching, teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold are just a few of
the ways stress manifests itself. The pressure from clenching for instance can be equal
to a force of 300 lbs per square inch and focused on a tooth or two can be devastating to
your tooth enamel, ultimately resulting in major damage or tooth loss.

For the record about 70% of people who show the damage signs from clenching
are TOTALLY unaware of it happening. With the use of a tiny camera that shows your
tooth the size of a computer screen, it’s easy to see the damage in early stages- that is the
ideal time to catch it, often on your cleaning visit.

So how does conservative, comfortable dentistry fit into this stressful
environment? It’s about early recognition and simple treatments. It’s “taking a look
under the hood” before you have pain and discomfort. Patients who stay engaged with
their dentist and hygienist on a regular basis enjoy their dental health. Still it is a matter
of choice…stressful times require us to prioritize what is important to us. Good dental
health is so important to our general health and well being.

1. “It’s so unbelievable- all this time I thought wire braces were my only solution to getting a straight smile.”
2. “I had no idea I could straighten my teeth in only 6 months!” “For the first time in my life I get compliments on my smile.”
3. “I no longer hide my smile- I show it off all the time.”

Visit our Rockwall Dental Office anytime now through the end of February for a complimentary consult and receive free whitening (a $350 value) with your Invisalign treatment. We have negotiated an easy payment plan for you so your monthly budget will thank you! But you will be much more thankful for a lifetime of smiles that you have always wanted.

Offer expires February 29, 2012.