Bruxism is a disorder in which a person grinds or clenches their teeth on a regular basis at night. Without treatment, the pressure could wear down and even damage the teeth. But we can help! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about treating bruxism with a custom oral appliance.
The Causes and Dangers of Bruxism
Why do some of us grind or clench our teeth on a nightly basis? Bruxism could develop as a result of a higher than normal stress level in your daily life. Untreated TMJ disorder could be a factor, as could issues like tooth loss, malocclusion, injury to the face or jaw, or complications with the growth of your jaw or the eruption of your teeth. Without treatment to stop teeth grinding, the grinding and clenching could wear down teeth and even crack or chip them. The damage then increases the risk of tooth decay and infection, leading to further pain and even the risk of tooth loss. But we can offer help!
When to Seek Treatment
When should you contact our team about treating your teeth grinding? If your significant other lets you know that you grind your teeth, make an appointment with our team. There are also symptoms you could experience yourself during waking hours. For example, headaches and migraines, jaw and facial pain, and toothaches and tooth sensitivity. Don’t ignore these possible symptoms, see us right away! If you attend six-month checkup and cleaning visits, then we can likely catch the early signs of wear and friction on your teeth and offer treatment.
Our Bruxism Appliances
Treatment is possible with a comfort and noninvasive solution. We will take detailed digital images and impressions of your bite, which we use to custom-fit an oral appliance. The device is then sent home with you and worn while you sleep. Once in place, the oral appliance helps reposition the jaw, easing any underlying stress in the joints. The device also places a soft barrier between both the upper and lower sets of teeth, which helps prevent further damage from occurring. The device is easy to use and clean, and it can travel with you on your summer vacation. Any damage that has occurred can be repaired with dental bonding or custom crowns!
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat teeth grinding, or if you think you need an oral appliance for your teeth grinding, then contact our team today to learn more. We look forward to helping you avoid the risks of untreated bruxism!
Dental Impressions Offers Treatment for Teeth Grinding
You don’t have to risk damage to your smile from chronic grinding and clenching! To schedule your appointment for oral appliance therapy, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
