Treating Your Teeth Grinding With An Oral Appliance

cleveland bruxism treatmentBruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, is a common oral health issue and one that unless treated, could lead to serious trouble for the health, function, and beauty of your smile. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist wants to help treat your bruxism, and to also repair any damage that has developed due to the pressure of your grinding or clenching teeth.

The Causes of Bruxism

Why do we suddenly begin to grind our teeth so frequently? The issue often develops when issues arise that alerts the balance and fit of your bite. For example, tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, damaged teeth, and misalignment could all be factors. In addition, untreated TMJ disorder could be a factor. High levels of stress in your daily life, which has become more common throughout the pandemic, could also mean higher risks of grinding and cleaning your teeth.

Symptoms and Dangers

People with the disorder may have family members or significant others let them know about their grinding and cleaning at night. Other symptoms include headaches, migraines, jaw pain, and aches in the face and neck. You could also experience tooth sensitivity and toothaches. Over time, the disorder could damage your teeth and wear away enamel, the resulting cracks and chips increasing the risk of tooth decay and dental infection. To avoid worsening discomfort or even the loss of one or more of your teeth, you need to seek treatment.

Possible Treatment Options

Treatment options could vary. For example, we may suggest orthodontics to correct misalignment and improve bite balance. Repairing damaged teeth with a lifelike restoration could help, as could replacing missing teeth with a custom-made prosthetic. However, the most common option is to create an oral appliance that is custom-fitted for your smile. The device will be created based on the detailed digital images and measurements we take of your smile. When worn at night, the device will fit like a mouthguard and help correct the positions of your jaw, easing pressure. The device also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth, a barrier that helps prevent further damage to your smile.

If you have any questions about how we diagnose issues like bruxism, or about treatment options, then please let us know. We don’t want your smile’s health and beauty to suffer, we’re ready to help!

Your Cleveland, TX Dentist’s Office Helps Prevent Poor Oral Health

Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX is ready to help you avoid long-term complications due to teeth grinding. To find out more about how we repair smiles and prevent further damage with our preventive and general treatment options, then contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today.