Saving Teeth From The Impact Of Grinding

When you have bruxism, this means you grind your teeth on a regular basis. Without treatment, this disorder could eventually damage teeth and lead to major complications. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about treating bruxism to prevent damage from chronic grinding and clenching.

The Causes of Bruxism

Bruxism often develops when the pressure is placed on the jaw joints, upsetting bite balance. High levels of stress and untreated TMJ disorder could be factors as well. Common causes could include tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, or complications with the growth and development of the jaw and the eruption of the teeth. Dental misalignment could be a potential factor too. As part of the treatment process, we will diagnose the potential causes and assess the severity of your disorder, choosing the most appropriate solution.

Possible Warning Signs

You should be aware of the potential warning signs. First, a significant other could let you know that you grind your teeth at night. You could also develop warning signs like headaches, jaw pain, migraines, or aches in the face and neck. Tooth sensitivity and toothaches could be factors as well. When you encounter one or more of these possible warning signs, please let us know right away! The sooner we can administer treatment, the sooner we can protect your smile from major complications, including damaged teeth and an increased risk of tooth decay and dental infection. Changes to the smile’s appearance, as teeth can appear short or uneven, are possible too, so don’t ignore any warning signs!

Treatment Options

For some, treatment could involve replacing missing teeth with a lifelike prosthetic, or even using orthodontics to correct misalignment. We could improve bite balance with a crown, or with boding or contouring too. But the most effective treatment option is often an oral appliance. The device will be crafted based on detailed digital images taken of the smile from multiple angles, and used to create a dental impression. The device will fit like a mouthguard and be worn as you sleep at night. The device helps shift the jaw to ease pressure on the jaw joints, and also prevents further damage by putting a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth.

If you have any questions about how to diagnose and treat bruxism, or about using your remaining 2022 dental insurance benefits before they expire, then contact our team today.

Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Protecting Your Smile

Our team is ready to help you avoid chipped, cracked, and worn-down teeth. For more information about avoiding the danger of grinding and clenching your teeth, then contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.