Are your teeth safe while you sleep? While your nightly oral hygiene routine safeguards against the bacterial buildup that causes cavities and gum disease, an unconscious habit may be harming your smile. When you grind and clench your teeth at night, you can cause damage to your teeth that puts your entire oral health at risk. This is because your habit, otherwise known as bruxism, wears away at your surface enamel to reveal the inner layers of your teeth. As you lose the protection of your enamel, you become more at risk for decay and can begin to see your bite shift out of alignment. The uneven height of your teeth can cause even more complications as certain teeth take disproportionate force and wear from your bite. If you suspect you experience this behavior, please let your dentist know right away. Left untreated, the loss of your enamel can cause your teeth to look yellow and quickly age your appearance.
At your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office, we help you protect your smile around the clock. We know how difficult dealing with a problem that happens while you are unconscious can be! This is why we offer a nightly oral guard to protect you while you sleep. Wearing this device at night will separate each row of teeth from wearing the other and prevent the erosion of your enamel. Gain peace of mind knowing that your smile is safe when you wear your oral guard!
Detecting Your Bruxism Habit
Detecting a habit that only happens when you are asleep may take some creativity. While advanced cases are easy to see when they cause significant wear and tear to the surface of your teeth, waking up each morning with stress in the muscles of your jaw may indicate constant clenching. Consider asking a family member to watch over you at night to listen for the sounds and see the motion of grinding your teeth. Report these signs to your dentist so we can provide protection.
Providing Treatment For Teeth Grinding
We can provide an oral appliance to protect your teeth while you sleep. By wearing a BPA-free custom-fit night guard, you separate each row of teeth to prevent damage from your bruxism habit. The relief extends to your facial muscles as your guard lessens the severity of your clenching as well. For existing damage to your smile, we can discuss cosmetic treatments such as dental bonding to repair your smile. This treatment builds up cracks, chips, and lost height in your worn-down teeth.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Wearing An Oral Guard To Protect Your Teeth From Bruxism
Wearing a nightly oral guard can help you prevent the wear and tear caused by grinding your teeth. For more information on this condition or to schedule a visit, please contact your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at 515-207-6182. We proudly serve patients from Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and any other surrounding community.
