Bruxism Could Damage Your Smile
When you grind your teeth on a regular basis, or clench them, this could wear down and damage teeth. Known as bruxism this is a common but serious oral health concern. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about bruxism could damage your smile, and how we can offer a noninvasive solution.
The Causes of Chronic Teeth Grinding
Why do some of us begin to grind our teeth on a regular basis? Well, for many this is due to changes in the balance of the bite, which strains the jaw joints. This could include untreated TMJ disorder, tooth loss, malocclusion, injury to the smile, or even complications with the growth and development of the smile. A high level of stress in your daily life could be a factor too. Warning signs include tooth sensitivity, toothaches, headaches and migraines, jaw pain, and aches in the neck and shoulders. If you encounter one or more of these potential symptoms on a regular basis, then let us know right away.
The Impact on Your Smile
The pressure from grinding and clenching your teeth could begin to wear down tooth structure so your teeth appear shorter or more uneven. The result could be cracked or chipped teeth, which in turn increases the risk of tooth decay and infection in the months to come. Which is why seeking treatment is so important!
Treatment with an Oral Appliance
Our team will first take detailed digital images of your smile from multiple angles. We then combine them to create a 3D impression. Using the impression, we will design and craft an oral appliance that is worn as you sleep. Fitting like a mouthguard, this prevents further damage to your smile by placing a barrier between the upper and lower teeth. The appliance also repositions the jaw to ease the underlying factors as well, and prevent grinding/clenching episodes. We could also help by replacing missing teeth with a lifelike prosthetic, correcting misalignment with orthodontics, or even improving bite balance with bonding/contouring or dental crowns.
Repairing Your Teeth
If damage has occurred, we can often use dental bonding or a custom crown to correct this and reshoe your teeth, improving bite balance and chewing function in the process. Your smile can look as it did pre-bruxism, and you can enjoy better oral health and bite function too. If you have any questions about how we treat issues like bruxism or about avoiding damaged teeth, then contact our team today to learn more.
Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Treating Bruxism
Our team is eager to treat teeth grinding and restore your smile. For more information on avoiding damaged smiles, then contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.