What steps do you take to maintain a healthy smile? By brushing and flossing your teeth each morning, you remove bacterial deposits that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Making healthy choices at mealtime can promote your oral health when you reduce sugar consumption and increase fruit and vegetable intake. But what can you do if you unconsciously grind your teeth together while you sleep? This unfortunate condition can be difficult to detect until it causes significant wear to the surface of your teeth. As nightly gnashing breaks down your enamel, your teeth become more susceptible to cavities, and your alignment comes out of position. Left untreated, a grinding problem can lead to problems with your jaw joint, causing pain when opening and closing your mouth.
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we can design a custom oral appliance to protect your teeth while you sleep. By taking images of your smile, we can create an oral guard that fits comfortably to your unique bite. By separating each row of teeth at night, you do not need to worry about bruxism wearing away their enamel. Because a guard relieves pressure as well, you may wake up feeling more refreshed and without soreness in your facial muscles each morning.
Detecting Your Grinding Problem
Learning that you clench your teeth while sleeping may require assistance from others. Consider asking a loved one to watch you while you sleep to detect grinding. They may be able to hear your teeth gnashing or see consistent movement in your mouth. When you schedule your next dental cleaning, we will examine your smile for signs of wear and tear. If we discover damage from bruxism, we can begin designing a treatment plan at the same visit.
Protecting Your Smile With An Oral Guard
We could design an oral appliance that separates each row of teeth from touching while you sleep. When you visit our office, we can take measurements of your bite to custom-create a guard that fits your unique smile. Simply wear your guard on each row, each night before bed. After creating your night guard, we can discuss cosmetic solutions to restore damaged teeth. Procedures such as dental bonding and porcelain veneers can build up worn-down height on ground-down teeth.
Speak With Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Protecting Your Smile From Bruxism
If we discover wear on the surface of your teeth, we could create an appliance to protect your smile while you sleep. By wearing a night guard, you receive valuable relief each night before bed. To learn more about the effects of bruxism or to schedule a visit, please call your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515) 207-6182. We also serve patients from Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and nearby communities.
