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Page 14
Female Focus
The Aging Mouth Part II
We all know that stress accelerates the aging process. Stress can influence our hormone levels which in turn affects our gums and so the support of our teeth becomes compromised. Our teeth start to move, our gums bleed every time we brush them but, having these problems seen to earlier rather than later can save teeth and prevent future serious problems.
A byproduct of stress is grinding or clenching of teeth, a habit known as BRUXISM.
We may grind or clench our teeth in our sleep or often without realising it whist driving, in front of the computer, in the gym or simply during deep concentration.
We have a tendency to think that our teeth are breaking due to age but more often than not there is a precursor.
The first symptom can perhaps present itself as a chipped tooth or filling but if a full history and examination are carried out by our dentist at this point, there may be evidence of constant debilitating and detrimental wear on our teeth which has led to: • Loss of facial height (a shorter face which results in an older appearance).
• Headaches or neck and shoulder pain (due to the tension in the muscles of the jaw as well as the trapezius over the shoulder blade). • Shorter and flatter teeth due to them being worn by the constant grinding/ clenching action. • Sharp and “see through” teeth (this is when bits of teeth fracture off as the enamel is being worn down). • Broken crowns or fillings which fracture or fall out again and again. The resonnance created by the constant grinding/ clenching action as well as the extreme force that a jaw is able to exert on the teeth will break the porcelain off metal and ceramic crowns and debond white fillings, create hairline fractures in teeth leading to infections and toothache. • Loose teeth due to excess load created by the clenching or grinding.
TREATMENT.
• DIAGNOSIS. Once the habit has been diagnosed in its early stages, the treatment can be as simple as wearing a protective appliance at night or whenever it is that you are “bruxing” and to repair or smooth any minor fractures. It is often difficult to convince an older patient that he /she has this habit as people assume that worn or fractured teeth are normal ageing phenomenons! The longer the habit takes to be addressed the more costly and lengthy the future treatment. • MUSCLE RELAXANTS to relax the jaws and neck muscles can be prescribed for night time bruxists. Botox placed in the jaw muscles can help to decrease headaches and to prevent the subconscious daily clenching which is very difficult to treat with an appliance. • FULL MOUTH REHABILITATION to restore the mouth to its original height with crowns of extreme strength e.g.
e.max and implants or dentures to replace lost teeth can often be the only solution if the problem is left untreated for too long. • Finally RELAX - DESTRESS - SMILE let that tension drift away and watch your face transform into its younger self!
By Dr. Carolyn Carbasse B.D.S. (Guy’s London)
Specialist Aesthetic Dentist. Digital panoramic xrays, veneers and all specialist treatments are all available at Clinica Dental Zen Tel: 96 642 5485.
Read Part III of IV in next month’s article.
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