You can do more harm by grinding your teeth than you might realize. At first, a problem with nightly teeth grinding, often known as bruxism, can cause discomfort when you wake up. You may feel pain or stiffness in your jaw, or find that your teeth are sore. If the discomfort you feel begins to last throughout the day, it can be a sign that your teeth grinding has led to TMJ disorder, a problem with your jaw alignment that can leave you in considerable discomfort and cause chronic headaches. Eventually, wear and tear from bruxism can change the shape and condition of your teeth, or even cause serious chips and cracks! Your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office is prepared to help. In addition to taking care of teeth that have already been damaged, we can provide an appliance to stop your teeth grinding issues and protect your smile!
Problems With Teeth Grinding Can Lead To Serious Consequences
Bruxism’s effect on your smile will worsen as time passes. The persistent wear and tear from grinding can lead to changes in the shape of your teeth – they may appear flattened, dull, or misshapen. They can even begin to show signs of chipping and cracking! Bruxism is not just a problem for your teeth. Problems with your jaw joints and muscles can lead to pain and stiffness when you try to bite, chew, or speak, which can hurt your quality of life.
What Sort Of Treatment Can Help With Wear And Tear From Grinding?
After an evaluation of your teeth, your dentist can determine how your problems with bruxism should be addressed. If the damage you have suffered is only superficial, we can recommend cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic services like bonding and contouring or the placement of porcelain veneers can positively change your smile by restoring the shapes and sizes of teeth. If the damage is serious enough to affect your dental health, the right treatment can involve the placement of dental crowns to preserve your bite and protect you against further enamel damage.
Protecting Your Teeth From Further Harm
In addition to resolving problems already caused by teeth grinding, we can provide protection for your teeth so that you no longer have problems with bruxism while you sleep. With a custom mouth guard, we can keep your teeth separated and safe throughout the night. Wearing this appliance on a nightly basis can keep your enamel safe, and it can reduce pressure on your jaw created by teeth grinding.
Talk To Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist’s Office About Restoring Teeth Affected By Bruxism
If you are experiencing problems with bruxism, Dr. Browne is ready to help! Through the right treatment, we can restore the shapes and sizes of teeth that have been worn down. To learn more about these services, and to discuss protection against nightly teeth grinding, contact our Prairie Village, KS dental office today at 913-901-8585.
