Most people probably grind their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically referred to as bruxism, doesn’t usually cause many problems, however, when the grinding happens on a regular basis, your teeth can be harmed. Doctors don’t have the whole story as to what causes bruxism, but they speculate it may be caused by a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors. The cause for teeth grinding can be related to various behaviors and situations. Sometimes caused by stress and anxiety, bruxism often occurs at nighttime during sleep. This is usually due to an abnormal bite, missing or crooked teeth or perhaps by sleeping disorders.

Let’s take a look at the most common causes of teeth grinding.

Stress & Anxiety

When you experience an increased level of anxiety or stress, this can sometimes lead to teeth grinding. So can anger and frustration. Most commonly, if your teeth grinding is due to these heightened emotional states, you’re experiencing awake bruxism (day-time teeth grinding). This may be considered a coping strategy just like someone would bite their nails or bounce their leg. This will typically happen when you’re having to go through long periods of deep concentration. Since this type is happening subconsciously, it will likely take some effort to recognize the behavior in order to stop it.

Medication and Other Substances

Believe it or not, bruxism could be the uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications like certain antidepressants. This is mostly linked back to the suppression of stress, anxiety, and other feelings of tension. Smoking tobacco, drinking an abundance of caffeine or alcohol, or using any type of recreational drugs may also increase your risk of experiencing bruxism.

Medical Disorders

Night-time bruxism is considered to be a sleep-related, movement disorder. This ‘sleep bruxism’ may be a chewing related action caused by any disruption during sleep. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and disruptions in breathing (sleep apnea). Some doctors speculate that bruxism can be linked with other mental health issues and some medical disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, epilepsy, night terrors, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Avoid Teeth Grinding

If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask our office about options to help you reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, having a stable exercise routine, or looking into meditation are some options to look into. If you experience some type of medical disorder that’s causing your grinding, having it looked at and treated properly will probably reduce or get rid of the grinding habit.

In most cases, bruxism doesn’t cause serious complications and is usually a temporary issue due to certain behaviors or stressful situations. However, severe bruxism can cause serious problems like tension headaches, jaw pain, and even physical damage to your teeth. Because you may have a certain type of bruxism and could be unaware until noticeable symptoms develop, it’s important to seek regular dental care and express your concerns.

Teeth grinding or bruxism doesn’t have to be serious, but if it’s causing you concern or any pain, it’s best for us to take a look. To avoid any further issues with your teeth grinding, visit our professional and pleasant office here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557.

Of all the things people can do to make themselves feel better mentally as well as physically, laughing is near the top of the list. For years, doctors worldwide have raved about the numerous benefits people can experience from allowing themselves to laugh as much as possible each day. Whether it’s seeing something funny on television, watching a dog or cat at play, or getting the giggles after a friend or family member says or does something funny, these are just a few examples of why laughter is like medicine. If you’re ready to learn more so that you’ll have the green light to laugh as often as you like, here are some other benefits of laughing.

Relieves Anxiety and Depression

When you find yourself feeling anxious or depressed, try a good dose of laughter. When you do, you’ll be releasing stress-reducing hormones that will immediately begin to improve your gloomy outlook on life. Since laughing has been shown to help release neurotransmitters that are important to how our brain functions, you’ll find yourself feeling anger and tension slip away, being replaced instead with optimism.

A Great Physical Workout

Believe it or not, laughing can be considered a great physical workout for your body. While this doesn’t mean you should give up the treadmill and weights you’ve been using, you may be surprised to learn laughing has actually been shown to help strengthen the core muscles in our bodies. In addition, researchers have also discovered laughing regularly will help burn calories, lower blood pressure, help prevent heart disease, and even strengthen your immune system.

Don’t Avoid Laughing

Since laughter is like medicine, it’s best to laugh as much as you can. But despite its many benefits, large numbers of people actually avoid laughing. As to why, research from the American Dental Association found that almost 25% of adults avoid laughing because they are not happy with the condition of their teeth. In fact, many people state they are embarrassed or ashamed of how their smiles look due to having crooked teeth or other dental issues. Since laughing and smiling go together, some people often go to great lengths to keep from smiling and thus having their upper and lower teeth exposed for the world to see.

Better Quality of Life

Once you decide to start laughing more and more, you’ll find you start to experience a better quality of life. By being able to laugh at the world around you as well as yourself, you’ll start to feel not only more optimistic but also happier about all the little things in life you may have been taking for granted.

Now that you know how much laughter can change your life for the better, it’s time to make sure you have a smile you don’t mind sharing with the world. To make this happen, visit the comfortable and professional office here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557.

Often a part of our bodies that is given little thought or appreciation for its efforts, the human tongue is one of the most important parts of the human body. Along with letting us experience such tastes as sweet, sour, and spicy, it can also help us let others know what we’re thinking by helping us pronounce words. But along with these talents, there are plenty of other fascinating facts about the human tongue. If you’re on pins and needles with anticipation, here are five fun facts about your tongue that will leave you astounded.

Your Tongue Is Muscle-Bound

While it may look somewhat skinny when you stick it out, the fact is your tongue is quite muscle-bound. In case you haven’t noticed, your tongue is not only very flexible, but it also seems to never get tired, no matter how much you eat or talk. As to why, it’s because your tongue is comprised of eight different muscles.

Lots and Lots of Taste Buds

Despite its small size, your tongue can have plenty of taste buds. According to researchers, the average tongue can contain as few as 2,000 or as many as 10,000 taste buds. If you’re on the low end, you’re considered a non-taster. However, if you are near the 10,000 mark, scientists consider you to be a supertaster.

Rest in Peace, Taste Buds

Sad as it is, your tongue’s taste buds die off every few weeks. However, before you break out the Kleenex, the good news is that new ones come along as old ones die off. Therefore, your tongue is never at a loss for its taste buds.

A Fat Tongue?

Believe it or not, your tongue is capable of gaining weight. The more weight you gain, the fatter your tongue is likely to get. However, this is not a good thing for you and your health. Just as it is unhealthy for the rest of your body to be overweight, the same applies to your tongue. In many cases, people who are overweight and have fatter tongues develop problems with sleep apnea.

A Tongue All Your Own

Just like your fingerprints, your tongue is unique unto itself. As scientists learn more about tongues, there is even talk that your tongue may once be used as a method of identification. However, here’s hoping you won’t have to roll your tongue across an ink pad, as they do when taking fingerprints.

Now that you’ve learned so many fun facts about the human tongue, you’re also likely thinking about your teeth. Whether it’s time for your regular checkup, you have other dental work needing to be done, or you just want to show off all you know about your unique tongue, give us a call here at Mountain View Dental. Once you arrive at our comfortable and professional office, we’ll take care of you and answer all of your questions. To schedule your appointment, call us today at 385-324-3557.