Most of us grind at teeth in childhood, or only occasionally as adults. However, with bruxism, the issue occurs on a nearly nightly basis, regular enough to damage teeth and threaten oral health. When should you see your Omaha, NE, to address your bruxism? How do we treat the issue and prevent further damage to your smile?
The Causes of Teeth Grinding
Why do we grind or clench our teeth? The causes vary from person-to-person, but may include high levels of anxiety in daily life, untreated TMJ disorder, tooth loss, misalignment, bite imbalance, or injury to the face or jaw. Over time, the pressure begins to wear down tooth enamel, or cause cracks and chips to appear. When the sensitive inner layers of tooth structure are exposed, this increases the risk of tooth decay and infection, threatening the health, comfort, and stability of your smile.
When to Be Concerned
If your partner lets you know that you grind your teeth frequently, be sure to schedule an appointment so we can examine your smile. Otherwise, you may need to pay attention to the common warning signs that occur in the daylight hours, such as headaches, jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, toothaches, and aches in the neck or shoulders. Don’t ignore these warning signs, as the pressure and damage could seriously threaten your smile’s health and appearance.
Stopping Bruxism
To stop your bruxism, we need to understand the cause and severity. We accomplish this with an exam, in which we look for signs of wear and friction to assess the disorder. For most cases, we will create a custom-made oral appliance. The appliance will be worn at night and fits much like a mouthguard. The device actually places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth, preventing further damage to the smile. The device also reduces strain on the jaw joints, to prevent further grinding episodes. Other treatment options could include placing a crown or other restoration to improve bite balance, or using orthodontics, such as clear aligners, to correct misalignment and ease strain on the jaw joints and imbalance. If you have any questions about identifying and stopping teeth grinding, then contact your team today. Don’t let our bruxism impact your smile’s health and beauty, and don’t continue to live with uncomfortable symptoms!
Pacific Hills Dental Treats Teeth Grinding
At Pacific Hills Dental, We understand how teeth grinding can damage smiles and offer a host of treatment options to return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty. To schedule a visit for your preventive dental care concerns, call our Omaha, NE, dental office today at (402) 330-2243. We proudly treat individuals in Omaha, NE, and all of the surrounding areas, including Papillion, La Vista, and Millard.
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