Bruxism, a disorder that involves our team grinding and clenching our teeth, could lead to damage to your teeth and major complications, including cavities and even tooth loss. But we can help prevent further damage from bruxism with an oral appliance. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist can offer a solution to your bruxism!
The Onset of Chronic Teeth Grinding
With bruxism, a patient grinds or clenches their teeth at night on a regular basis. This constant pressure can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and even damaged teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and even dental infection. Which is why we need to seek treatment to stop the grinding and clenching episodes and prevent further damage to your smile! This could be caused by issues like tooth loss, dental misalignment, injury to the face or jaw or complications with the growth of the jaw or the eruption of your teeth. Issues like wisdom tooth eruption and TMJ disorder could also lead to grinding and clenching episodes. Symptoms include tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink, toothaches, and pain in the face or jaw. You could experience headaches and jawbone too.
The Damage to Your Teeth
The pressure could wear down the teeth so they appear shorter than usual, which alters the appearance of your smile. This damage, along with any chips or cracks that occur, could also lead to the onset of tooth decay and infection, causing further pain and risking the stability of your smile. Our custom oral appliances can help stop further damage, but what about the injuries that have already occurred? With dental bonding, we could correct minor damage in one sitting. We can also take on more substantial injuries with our custom and lifelike dental crowns. Regardless of which option we use, your restorations will be lifelike in appearance!
Help with a Custom Oral Appliance
How does a custom oral appliance stop your teeth grinding? The appliance will look and fit like a mouthguard, but is actually custom-fitted to help shift the jaw and address any underlying issues with the balance of your bite. The appliance then places a soft barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth, which helps prevent further damage to your bite! The appliance is easy to use, and you can clean and store it with ease as well. It can travel with you too if you hit the road for a summer vacation!
If you have any questions about treating bruxism then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Talks About Stopping Teeth Grinding
Our team is ready to offer treatment to manage your bruxism and keep your smile intact. To schedule your next dental visit with our team, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
