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Monthly Archives: July 2021

bruxism_dentist_Laguna_Hills

Bruxism More Common than You Think

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Bruxism; if you have never heard the word, you are not alone. With that being said, you may be one of the billions of people on the planet that suffer from the condition.

According to Saddleback Dentistry in Great Laguna Hills grinding and clenching teeth is quite common with more and more people scheduling dental appointments to combat bruxism.

What is Bruxism?

Bruxism is involuntary and causes a person to grind and clench teeth. Bruxism can happen while you are awake and at night. In fact, you probably won’t be aware that you are clenching or grinding your teeth while you are sleeping.

Whether you grind at night or during the day it can have dangerous consequences to your teeth and your bite.

bruxism_dentist_Laguna_HillsWhat Causes Tooth Grinding?

Although researchers aren’t sure what causes bruxism, they do know it can lead to clenching and eventual teeth grinding.

While it is impossible to narrow down one single cause, there are several reasons a person may clench and grind teeth.

Stress and anxiety are the biggest cause for concern. People tend to clench and grind when faced with an unpleasant or negative situation as well.

Dr. Dean Garcia also explains that people with high levels of stress tend to grind teeth more frequently. If you have a change in sleeping patterns it could also be the reason you clench your jaw.

Studies show that grinding teeth is preceded by an escalation of cardiovascular and brain activity. This might explain why grinding and clenching is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes a person to stop breathing while sleeping.

More Cases in Laguna Hills

Dr. Dean Garcia and Dr. Ryan Conkle from Saddleback Dentistry have seen a higher percentage of bruxism cases lately. You certainly can’t argue the fact that most people have had to deal with an incredible amount of stress over the past 18 months.

Everyone copes with anxiety differently and sometimes your jaw and your teeth take the majority of the stress whether you know it or not.

Other Factors Include:

  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Bite Issues
  • Problems with your TMJ, Jaw Joints
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Snoring
  • Depression

More research is need to understand the connections between the factors and why they affect clenching and grinding.

Teeth and Bruxism

Both clenching and grinding cause extreme stress on your jaw and teeth. If Bruxism is not treated by your dentist in Laguna Hills the condition will probably get worse.

You May Have Bruxism if You

  • Clench and Grind Teeth
  • Have Teeth that are Worn
  • Experience Jaw Pain
  • Have Facial Pain
  • Experience Earaches
  • Have Headaches
  • Are Dealing with Jaw Stiffness
  • Have Pain in Your Temporomandibular Joints, Jaw Joints
  • Suffer from a Lack of Sleep

Help for Bruxism in Laguna Hills

If you or someone you know is clenching and grinding, call and schedule an appointment with Saddleback Dentistry. The bruxism experts are able to diagnose and treat the condition giving you peace of mind and a better night’s sleep.

Call or send a text and schedule your dental appointment in Laguna Hills today.

smile_makeover_dentist_Laguna_Hills

A Smile Makes You Feel Good

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Everyone knows how much better it feels to smile, but did you know that even faking a grin can make you feel better? According to Saddleback Dentistry, your smirk or grin boost the feel good receptors in your brain, but there are also a few other benefits to putting on a happy face.

Research indicates that kids do it about 400 times every day while average adults who usually grin do it about 50 times every day. Typical adults only ever smile around 20 times each day. It seems that as people age smiling is less common, which is really a shame.

Why Smiling is Good for You and Your Health

Smiling:

  • Reduces Blood Pressure
  • Increases your Endurance
  • Makes you More Likeable
  • Reduces Stress and Pain
  • Strengthens your Immune System
  • Makes you Appear More Courteous and Friendly
  • A Smile is Contagious and Helpful

People who smile are more apt to get the job or promotion because they appear, and actually are, more confident. Self-confidence is a real plus when it comes to impressing people, especially those in charge.

Smiling also boosts the endorphins in your brain. You’ll notice that when you turn up the corners of your mouth, everyone else will as well, even if your smile isn’t so genuine.

Don’t have the energy or teeth and gums to smile? No problem. Saddleback Dentistry specializes in restorative and cosmetic dentistry and has just the solution for your cracked, chipped, stained and missing teeth.

Whatever the problem, you can feel confident when you become a patient of the best dentists in Laguna Hills.

Some of the procedures your cosmetic dentist might recommend include:

  • Dental Implants
  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Cosmetic Dental Bonding
  • Enamel Shaping
  • Gum Lift
  • Oral Appliance Therapy
  • Orthodontics
  • TMJ Disorder Therapy
  • Professional Teeth Whitening
  • Inlays
  • Onlays
  • Tooth Colored Fillings
  • Clear Braces
  • Complete Mouth Makeover

Of course, some may only need one of the above procedures to boost confidence while others may need several or most of the procedures above.

Smiling Makes You Happy

Did you know that smiling also makes others around you feel better about themselves as well? According to your Laguna Hills cosmetic dentist a smile a day really does keep the doctor away.

Keep Your Smile

If you would like a smile makeover consultation or are happy with your smile, but need a dental checkup in Laguna Hills, call; send a text or a direct message to a team member from Saddleback Dentistry.

Your new smile is waiting. All you have to do is pick up the phone and make the call. You’ll be happy you did and so will your friends, family and strangers you meet on the street.

Call today.