Are your teeth safe from harm while you sleep? It may seem odd to think about your time at rest as a period that can be hard on your smile. However, if you are someone who suffers from bruxism – habitual teeth grinding – damage while you sleep can occur. This is because you can unconsciously grind and clench your teeth throughout the night, wearing down your enamel and making you vulnerable to real oral health problems. Our Allen, TX dentist’s office can help you address this issue. By providing you a custom oral appliance, we can give you the means to stop bruxism from doing damage to your smile while you are asleep!
Do You Grind Your Teeth While You Sleep?
There are certain signs of teeth grinding that you should be aware of, and should watch out for, for your smile’s sake. Waking up with a sore or stiff jaw, or issues with tooth pain and sensitivity, can point to issues with bruxism. This habit also makes you more likely to experience jaw pain and stiffness during the day, as it can raise your risk for TMJ problems. You may also notice that your teeth are starting to look worn, as the friction from grinding can take a toll on your enamel. If you do not act in time, that wear and tear can worsen, and you can find yourself in need of restorative dental work for a chipped or cracked tooth!
Discussing Treatment With A Custom Oral Appliance
By providing you with a custom appliance to wear while you are sleeping, our practice can help you avoid difficulties with bruxism. The guard that you receive will be carefully made to fit you comfortably and provide security and comfort. While you sleep, it will keep you from grinding or clenching, which can reduce stress on your jaw and protect your enamel.
Dealing With Problems Caused By Nightly Teeth Grinding
Unfortunately, some people will not seek help with bruxism until after they have permanent dental damage that needs to be addressed. We can evaluate your smile to see if you should move forward with restorative or cosmetic dental treatment to address unwanted changes in your appearance. The reason we may need to recommend restorative work is that damage to your smile can be serious enough to impact your oral health and interfere with your ability to bite and chew. With custom dental crowns, we can protect teeth that are in a vulnerable state.
Talk To Your Allen, TX Dentist About Your Issues With Bruxism
By dealing with bruxism, you can prevent problems with your smile and oral health in order to avoid unwelcome smile changes as well as problems with daily discomfort. To find out more, contact your Allen, TX, dentist, Dr. Torrens-Parker, by calling 469-342-6644.
