When you grind and clench your teeth on a regular basis, this can do more than just irritate your significant other. The pressures could actually damage your smile and leave it vulnerable to cavities and infection! In today’s blog, your Virginia Beach, VA, dentist talks about bruxism, and how we can help you stop grinding your teeth.
The Factors Behind Teeth Grinding
Bruxism can occur for a number of different reasons. We may grind our teeth due to high levels of stress in our daily life. This could also be due to untreated TMJ disorder or issues that upset bite balance, such as missing teeth, dental misalignment, or injuries to the face or jaw. Complications with the growth and development of your jaw could be a factor too. Warning signs vary, but may include toothaches and tooth sensitivity, jaw and facial pain, and aches in the neck and shoulders. Don’t ignore these potential symptoms, please see our team right away!
The Impacts on Your Smile
Over time, the pressure on your smile could wear down enamel or even crack or chip the tooth, which increases the risk of tooth decay and infection. This could also alter the appearance of your smile, making your teeth appear short or uneven. Without treatment, cavities and infections could eventually lead to tooth loss and further harm to your smile. Our team can offer treatments to stop grinding episodes and prevent further damage. In addition, with dental bonding and custom crowns, we can repair your tooth and offer a lifelike appearance too, often in as little as one visit.
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
An oral appliance is a device that looks and functions like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep. However, the appliance is designed to actually reposition the jaw to ease pressure on your joints and reduce the risk of grinding episodes in the future. The custom fit means it fits comfortably and offers care with precision. When in place, the appliance also places a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth to help prevent further damage to your smile. If you also have TMJ disorder, then this can ease pain in your jaw. If you have any questions about how we protect your smile with an oral appliance, or about preventing issues like bruxism, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy good oral health and a comfortable smile!
Talk to Our Team About Treating Bruxism
To learn more about how we put a stop to chronic teeth grinding, then give us a call at Absolute Dental Care in Virginia Beach, VA at (757) 428-7440 to schedule an appointment. We have a comfortable and noninvasive treatment option to bring relief!
