Why should you say something to your dentist about your tendency to grind and clench your teeth while you sleep? If you let the problem go without treatment of any kind, you will continue to put pressure on your joints and muscles, something that can lead to worrying problems with pain and stiffness that limits your jaw movement. You can also experience serious wear and tear on your enamel that results in problems with teeth being chipped and cracked. Our Virginia Beach, VA dentist’s office is prepared to help you protect your smile by providing a custom guard that can keep your teeth safely apart while you rest.
Why Grinding Your Teeth At Night Should Concern You
The more nights you spend unconsciously grinding and clenching your teeth, the more wear and tear you inflict on your teeth. As this problem worsens, it can result in the formation of chips and cracks as well as noticeable changes in tooth shape. Another concern is that by putting more pressure on your jaw, you can experience problems with TMJ disorder that affect your bite function and cause you daily discomfort. The repeated issue of grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, is something that your dentist can address by providing you with a custom guard to wear while you sleep.
Using A Custom Guard To Protect Your Smile From Serious Wear And Tear
By providing a sleep guard that is carefully made to fit your smile and stay secure, our practice can protect you against the potentially serious harm done by bruxism. Wearing it will keep your upper and lower rows of teeth separated so that they cannot grind or clench as you rest. In addition to stopping friction from this kind of wear and tear, your appliance can reduce stress on your joints and muscles!
Dealing With The Damage Already Done By Bruxism
By the time some patients reach out for help with teeth grinding, they can already have damage that needs to be addressed for the sake of their smile. In some cases, that harm can be so serious that they need dental crowns to provide cosmetic as well as functional protection. In other cases, we can make corrections more conservatively by recommending dental bonding and contouring treatment or the placement of porcelain veneers.
Talk To Your Virginia Beach, VA Dentist About Treating Nightly Teeth Grinding
By taking up the issue of nightly teeth grinding with your dentist, you can make sure that you have protection against this issue. We can offer care to prevent further harm, and we can also address any issues with enamel damage that stems from your difficulties with bruxism. If you would like to find out more about how we can help you, please reach out to Absolute Dental Care in Virginia Beach, VA at 757-428-7440.
