Stress definitely plays a role for me too... thought I was imagining it at first, but nope, it's real. My dentist mentioned that stress can cause teeth grinding or clenching at night, which wears down enamel even more. I've started using a cheap mouthguard from the drugstore—nothing fancy, but it helps. Might be worth trying if you haven't already. Hang in there, you're definitely not alone with this!
"My dentist mentioned that stress can cause teeth grinding or clenching at night, which wears down enamel even more."
Glad I'm not imagining things either... I swear my jaw feels like I've been chewing gum all night sometimes. Tried one of those drugstore mouthguards too, but I kept waking up feeling like I was choking on a hockey puck, lol. Maybe I just got the wrong size? Anyway, finally booked my first dental appointment in years—super nervous about it tbh, but hoping it'll clear things up. Fingers crossed they don't judge me too hard for waiting so long...
Totally get what you mean about those drugstore mouthguards, haha. I tried one once too—felt like I'd shoved a giant gummy bear in my mouth and couldn't breathe properly. Definitely not ideal. Eventually, my orthodontist recommended a custom one, and honestly, it was a game changer. Took some getting used to, but way less bulky and awkward.
And hey, don't worry too much about the dental visit... I went after skipping checkups for years and was convinced they'd lecture me or something. But surprisingly, they were really understanding and just happy I finally showed up. Turns out dentists see this stuff all the time, so you're definitely not alone in putting it off. Good luck with your appointment—hope it brings you some relief!
"Turns out dentists see this stuff all the time, so you're definitely not alone in putting it off."
Haha, that's reassuring to hear. I had a similar experience with those drugstore mouthguards—felt like I was trying to sleep with a hockey puck in my mouth. Eventually, I went for a custom one too, and it made a huge difference. Definitely worth the investment if you can swing it.
About dental checkups... honestly, I've learned it's totally okay to seek second opinions if something doesn't feel right or you're unsure about a recommendation. I once had a dentist suggest some pretty extensive work that didn't sit well with me. Decided to get another opinion, and turns out the first dentist was being overly cautious. The second dentist explained things step-by-step, showed me exactly what was going on, and we ended up taking a much simpler route. So yeah, don't hesitate to ask questions or even see someone else if you're feeling uncertain. Good luck at your appointment—hope everything goes smoothly!
Totally agree about second opinions. Had a dentist once insist I needed multiple fillings ASAP, but something felt off, so I got another dentist to check it out. Turns out most of them were just surface stains—not cavities at all. Made me realize it's always worth asking questions if something doesn't sit right. Custom mouthguards are legit though...mine was pricey but way better than waking up sore every morning.
