If you wake up with a sore jaw in the morning, it may be a sign that your jaw is working overtime overnight. When you grind your teeth in your sleep, this is a condition known as bruxism, and it can be significantly harmful to your smile. With bruxism, you may shift the location of your teeth along your oral ridge, affecting your alignment, or your condition could affect the shape and health of your teeth.
With our team of dental experts in Ankeny, IA, you can take positive steps in the treatment of problematic sleep bruxism with the use of an oral appliance. This is a simple device that you wear overnight, and it prevents your teeth from contact while you sleep. Oral appliances are a comfortable way to improve the quality of your sleep and keep your smile safe, so if you have been living with undiagnosed sleep bruxism, come into the office for a consultation!
Bruxism Can Lead To Serious Problems With Your Smile
Unconscious teeth grinding is a highly common activity, and for most, it is not a serious cause for concern. When this happens during sleep, however, you are not able to transfer that action into chewing healthy snacks. Instead, your jaw puts undue stress on your teeth, and this can become devastating for your smile.
Patients with bruxism can experience enamel erosion, which is the loss of the durable outer coating of your teeth. This can affect the appearance of your smile, flattening your molars and shortening your incisors. If you wear completely through your enamel, you become at risk of serious internal tooth infection, which can place you at risk of requiring a root canal or even losing a tooth. Don’t take your bruxism lightly, and instead, reach out to a trusted team of dental professionals to learn about your options.
Dealing With Teeth Grinding? Learn More About A Custom Oral Appliance For Your Bruxism
If you are struggling with your overnight teeth grinding, it is time to talk to your dentist about ways to improve your sleep and maintain your smile. One of the ways that you can do this is through the use of a custom oral appliance. This soft BPA-free guard helps to prevent your teeth from colliding overnight, limiting the amount of damage that you can inflict upon your smile. These are comfortable, as well, so you can rest easy knowing that you are caring for your smile.
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When you need to talk to someone about your overnight teeth grinding, talk to our team. For more information about bruxism or to schedule your consultation, give us a call at your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515) 207-6182 to schedule a visit.