When you have a tendency to grind or clench your teeth, you can catch yourself doing so in the course of your day. Consciously relaxing your jaw can help during the daytime, but what you can have a difficult time preventing is grinding and clenching that happens at night while you sleep. Nightly problems with bruxism can cause worsening pain and stiffness in your jaw, and it can lead to concerns over damage to your enamel. At our Virginia Beach, VA dentist’s office, we can provide protection with a custom oral guard that you wear during your nightly rest. Its presence both separates teeth and helps to protect against worsening pressure that your grinding and clenching can put on your jaw.
How Much Harm Can Bruxism Cause?
If bruxism is not addressed, it can do significant damage to teeth over time. The friction from the grinding and clenching that take place while you sleep can lead to your enamel becoming chipped and cracked. If too much pressure is put on them, they can break, which can lead to more significant trouble with your oral health as well as your appearance. The good news is that you can identify signs of trouble and seek help before the damage is serious. You can also keep up with regular dental exams, which give your dentist opportunities to evaluate your teeth and look for warning signs of excess wear and tear.
Using A Custom Guard To Protect Your Teeth While You Sleep
A custom oral guard is capable of keeping teeth apart while you are asleep. As bruxism causes you to unconsciously grind and clench your jaw, its presence can stop wear and tear from occurring by keeping your teeth apart. This separation can also help to reduce pressure on the joints and muscles, which can reduce discomfort that you feel.
Bruxism Can Be Connected To Problems With TMJ Disorder
People who grind their teeth often have related issues with TMJ disorder. This is a problem that concerns the alignment and movement of your jaw. When your joints are not in alignment, the pain you feel can cause difficulties for your face, head, neck, and shoulders. We can assess your bite function and determine if TMJ therapy should be part of your overall care to help with teeth grinding.
Talk To Your Virginia Beach, VA Dentist About Your Teeth Grinding Concerns
Teeth grinding concerns should not be taken lightly. Remember that the longer it takes you to do something about the matter, the more likely it is that you will experience permanent dental damage! If you would like to find out more, please reach out to Absolute Dental Care in Virginia Beach, VA at 757-428-7440.
