If you have bruxism, which refers to chronic teeth grinding, then you need treatment. Over time, the pressure on your smile could wear down teeth and lead to complications like tooth decay! In today’s blog, Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about how we treat bruxism.
The Dangers of Chronic Teeth Grinding
When we grind and clench our teeth on a regular basis, this places enormous pressure on them. Over time, this wear crack or chip the tooth structure, or even wear down the outer structure. Teeth can appear shorter and these injuries can expose the sensitive inner tissues to harmful oral bacteria, leading to tooth decay and infection. You then suffer from discomfort and even risk the stability of your smile! Which is why at the first signs of trouble, we want to see you right away!
Recognizing Your Bruxism Symptoms
How do you know if you have bruxism and need treatment? For some, a significant other could alter them to their nightly grinding and clenching habits. But there are other symptoms you may recognize. For example, you could experience tooth sensitivity when you eat or drink, or a persistent toothache that does not pass with time. You could also experience painful headaches and migraines, jaw and facial pain, and if the issue is related to TMJ disorder, a popping or crackling sensation in the jaw. Don’t ignore these potential symptoms, please reach out to our team today to learn more and start treatment!
Oral Appliance Therapy and Lifelike Restoration
For many people, we can offer relief with an oral appliance. The device will look similar to a mouthguard and will be worn as you sleep at night. When in place, this helps ease the stress and strain your jaw to correct the underlying causes. The same oral appliance also puts a soft barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further pain and injury. The oral appliance is easy to use and clean, and when you hit the road for a vacation this summer, the oral appliance can travel with you.
What if your teeth grinding has damaged your teeth? For minor injuries, we could offer repair in one visit with dental bonding. If you have more substantial injuries, we could help with a custom crown. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat bruxism, or about how we repair your teeth with restorative dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more and start your treatment journey!
Dental Impressions Provides Lifelike Repair
We want to help treat teeth grinding to protect your smile from major complications. To schedule an appointment and stop teeth grinding, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
