Bruxism is a disorder that impacts many of us, and could lead to grinding and clenching on a nightly basis. The pressure on your smile could eventually begin to crack or chip teeth, leading to issues like tooth decay or even dental infection. To put a stop to your teeth grinding and protect your oral health, you may need a custom oral appliance from your Garland, TX, dentist.
The Dangers of Bruxism
What makes grinding and clenching your teeth such a danger for your oral health? The pressure could eventually wear down tooth structure so your teeth appear short and uneven. The pressure also damages the outer enamel in the process, and could even crack or chip one or more of your teeth. This damage, even if it appears minor, could expose the sensitive inner dentin to bacteria and enable cavities and infection to develop. The factors behind teeth grinding could include tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, high levels of stress in your daily life, bite imbalance, misalignment, and untreated TMJ disorder.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Your significant other could alert you to any grinding or clenching you may experience, otherwise you may need to be aware of common warning signs that occur during waking hours. Common symptoms could include headaches and migraines throughout the day, pain in the neck, shoulders, or jaw, facial aches, and toothaches or tooth sensitivity. If you experience one or more of these common warning signs, then contact our team. We will examine your smile witha advanced digital technology to diagnose the causes and extent of your poor oral health. Next, we choose the right treatment for you!
Treatment Options
For some, we may need to correct misalignment with treatments like Invisalign® aligners or braces. Our team could also improve the balance of your bite by placing one or more dental crowns. But the most common route to better oral health and a more balanced bite is an oral appliance. The device will look and function like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep during the night. The appliance actually repositions your jaw to ease any pressures or strain. The appliance also helps prevent further injury to your smile by placing a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth. If you have any questions about our treatment options, then contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS?
Our team offers care to provide relief and protect your oral health from major complications. To learn more about keeping your smile free of bruxism, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
