Dr. Erin Gustafson
Dr. Erin Gustafson was born and raised in northeast Texas, relocating to Lubbock to complete her undergraduate degree in Zoology at Texas Tech University.
Read more about Dr. Erin Gustafson
Find Us:
Dentist - Humble
9630 North Sam Houston Pkwy E. Bldg B
Humble, TX 77396
Find us
Patient Library
Find helpful information in our digital library.
Archive:
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- Welcome (1)
- celebrity smiles (79)
- oral hygiene (20)
- orthodontics (13)
- braces (17)
- gum disease (12)
- clear aligners (2)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- aging (1)
- orthodontic treatment (18)
- periodontal disease (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (10)
- oral surgery (2)
- oral health (23)
- gum recession (5)
- dental injury (5)
- mouthguard (1)
- dental emergency (2)
- nutrition (7)
- teeth whitening (6)
- pediatric dentistry (13)
- dental exam (1)
- toothache (3)
- tooth pain (4)
- root canal (5)
- bad breath (2)
- osteoporosis (2)
- dental care (2)
- dental implants (12)
- tooth grinding (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- tooth wear (1)
- endodontics (1)
- crowns (4)
- chipped teeth (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- palatal expander (1)
- facial pain (3)
- tmd (1)
- tmj (1)
- jaw pain (2)
- frenectomy (1)
- wisdom teeth (3)
- removable dentures (1)
- porcelain veneers (5)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- jaw surgery (1)
- tooth decay (6)
- trigeminal neuralgia (2)
- bone grafting (2)
- bonding (1)
- fluoride (1)
- retainers (2)
- oral appliance (1)
- night guard (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- sealants (2)
- pediatric care (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- veneers (2)
- extractions (1)
- chipped tooth (2)
- impacted teeth (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- oral cancer (2)
- retainer (2)
- dental cleaning (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- mouthguards (4)
- bone graft (1)
- bone loss (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- diabetes (1)
- x-rays (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- extraction (1)
- tooth loss (1)
- gerd (1)
- tmj disorders (1)
- root canal treatment (3)
- dental implant (1)
- fillings (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- dry socket (1)
Categories:
Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
It might seem that supermodels have a fairly easy life — except for the fact that they are expected to look perfect whenever they’re in front of a camera. Sometimes that’s easy — but other times, it can be pretty difficult. Just ask Chrissy Teigen: Recently, she was in Bangkok, Thailand, filming a restaurant scene for the TV travel series The Getaway, when some temporary restorations (bonding) on her teeth ended up in her food.
As she recounted in an interview, “I was… like, ‘Oh my god, is my tooth going to fall out on camera?’ This is going to be horrible.” Yet despite the mishap, Teigen managed to finish the scene — and to keep looking flawless. What caused her dental dilemma? “I had chipped my front tooth so I had temporaries in,” she explained. “I’m a grinder. I grind like crazy at night time. I had temporary teeth in that I actually ground off on the flight to Thailand.”
Like stress, teeth grinding is a problem that can affect anyone, supermodel or not. In fact, the two conditions are often related. Sometimes, the habit of bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding) occurs during the day, when you’re trying to cope with a stressful situation. Other times, it can occur at night — even while you’re asleep, so you retain no memory of it in the morning. Either way, it’s a behavior that can seriously damage your teeth.
When teeth are constantly subjected to the extreme forces produced by clenching and grinding, their hard outer covering (enamel) can quickly start to wear away. In time, teeth can become chipped, worn down — even loose! Any dental work on those teeth, such as fillings, bonded areas and crowns, may also be damaged, start to crumble or fall out. Your teeth may become extremely sensitive to hot and cold because of the lack of sufficient enamel. Bruxism can also result in headaches and jaw pain, due in part to the stress placed on muscles of the jaw and face.
You may not be aware of your own teeth-grinding behavior — but if you notice these symptoms, you might have a grinding problem. Likewise, after your routine dental exam, we may alert you to the possibility that you’re a “bruxer.” So what can you do about teeth clenching and grinding?
We can suggest a number of treatments, ranging from lifestyle changes to dental appliances or procedures. Becoming aware of the behavior is a good first step; in some cases, that may be all that’s needed to start controlling the habit. Finding healthy ways to relieve stress — meditation, relaxation, a warm bath and a soothing environment — may also help. If nighttime grinding keeps occurring, an “occlusal guard” (nightguard) may be recommended. This comfortable device is worn in the mouth at night, to protect teeth from damage. If a minor bite problem exists, it can sometimes be remedied with a simple procedure; in more complex situations, orthodontic work might be recommended.
Teeth grinding at night can damage your smile — but you don’t have to take it lying down! If you have questions about bruxism, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Stress & Tooth Habits” and “When Children Grind Their Teeth.”