When you develop a tendency to grind or clench your teeth during the night, you can become vulnerable to both dental damage and problems with jaw pain. This issue, known as bruxism, is something that you should address if you want to preserve a healthy, confident smile. At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we can help you address this and other oral health concerns. For bruxism, we can recommend oral appliance therapy, which will see you guard your smile with a custom guard. Other poor habits, like inconsistent or poor smile care, can be addressed through adjustments to your daily routine.
Ignoring A Nightly Teeth Grinding Habit Can Hurt Your Smile
Bruxism can lead to dental damage, oral health trouble, and difficulties with jaw pain and stiffness. To help you put this habit behind you, we can recommend that you wear a custom appliance during your nights. When this appliance is in place, it will keep your teeth separated so that they cannot grind against each other as you rest. By stopping grinding or clenching from occurring, you can avoid enamel damage, prevent tooth chipping or cracking, and reduce stress on your jaw joints and muscles.
Are You Leaving An Important Step Out Of Your Oral Hygiene Routine?
While bruxism is an unconscious habit that can hurt your smile over time, there are other habits you can fall into that you can correct through behavioral changes. It is important that you stick to a consistent brushing and flossing routine, one that sees you clean your teeth thoroughly. You should brush for at least two minutes to remove all of the bacteria present in your mouth, and take care to floss at your gum line to remove harmful microbes before they can cause periodontal problems. When you have a good routine, maintain a healthy diet, and see your dentist regularly, you can avoid trouble with tooth decay and gum disease.
Your Dentist Can Keep You Informed About Your Oral Health
Even if you have a smile care routine that you feel confident in, you should consistently schedule and attend regular oral health checkups. At these appointments, you can receive early warnings about problems that you are not aware of, and that means you can enjoy treatment before there are complications.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist To Learn How You Can Address Harmful Oral Health Habits
Your Ankeny, IA dentist is ready to help you take on active problems, and we can help you avoid future troubles. One thing we can do is treat your troubles with bruxism by providing a custom oral appliance to wear at night. We can also help you stay healthy by recommending good habits and providing important preventive care. To find out more, please contact Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
