Things You Might Not Know About Your Bruxism Habit

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Not everyone who has bruxism (chronic teeth-grinding) knows that they have it. That’s because the consistent grinding that marks the condition occurs subconsciously throughout the day, and often, throughout the night. However, the symptoms of bruxism can become obvious before long if it’s left untreated. At our Cleveland, TX, dental office, we can help you determine if you have bruxism, and provide customized treatment to help you stop grinding your teeth, if necessary.

It happens even more often than you realize

The problem with bruxism isn’t just that you grind your teeth a lot; it’s that the cause of your teeth-grinding isn’t always obvious. Many times, you may grind your teeth forcefully for several moments or more before realizing it and force yourself to stop when you do, only to catch yourself grinding your teeth together again later. For many patients, their bruxism is a nighttime condition, meaning they grind their teeth most often and most forcefully while they sleep at night. This can make it extremely difficult for you to know you have bruxism until the symptoms become obvious.

There are no long-term home remedies that work

One of the most prominent symptoms of bruxism is the increasing sensitivity of one or more teeth. If you don’t realize that your teeth are sensitive because you’re grinding them together, then you may try a few home remedies in order to alleviate the discomfort. However, you’ll continue grinding and wearing down your teeth, and the sensitivity will only grow worse the longer you wait to seek professional treatment. The damage to your teeth will also grow worse, increasing your chances of needing one or more restorative dentistry procedures as part of your treatment plan.

Treating bruxism could be simpler than you expect

The good news for many patients is that treating bruxism is often more convenient than they realize at first. For instance, if you seek treatment before your teeth become seriously worn down or damaged, then you may be able to stop grinding your teeth with the help of a custom-designed oral appliance. The bruxism guard can be worn at night and will protect your teeth from the pressures of grinding, reducing your risks of needing more extensive treatment later.

Learn more about dealing with your bruxism

Having bruxism can be more devastating for your smile than you realize at first. To learn more about how we can help you treat it, call our Cleveland Family Dentistry office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We proudly serve patients and their families from Cleveland, Kingwood, New Caney, Conroe, Livingston, Huffman, and all surrounding communities.