The Dangers of Grinding Your Teeth

man clenches teethWe are sometimes unaware of oral health problems until serious complications develop. One such problem is the unconscious grinding and clenching of our teeth known as bruxism. Left untreated, this disorder may flatten and chip your teeth and gradually wear down the enamel that provides critical protection. While it may be hard to identify a habit that occurs when you are asleep, the staff at your Prairie Village, KS dentist is here to help. We can examine your bite and recommend interventions to prevent further damage. Additionally, we offer both cosmetic and restorative solutions to improve the appearance and function of your teeth.

Identify The Damage And Put It To A Stop

As time progresses, the symptoms from the constant grinding of your teeth can become worse. You are more likely to develop jaw pain and stiffness in your facial muscles. Your teeth can appear older as they wear down and the enamel is eroded. Your bite may even misalign as cracks and chips arrive. Fortunately, our staff can identify this damage and intervene to guard your smile.

Wear A Custom Oral Guard At Night For Maximum Protection

To prevent the surface of your teeth from gnashing each evening, we can design a custom mouthguard uniquely shaped to fit your individual bite. This device, when worn every night, will secure your teeth strongly so that they do not rub back and forth for hours. In addition to preventing harm to the enamel, the mouthguard alleviates pressure placed on your  jaw joints and muscles. This can relieve the chronic headaches and migraines brought upon by TMJ disorder, which affects your temporomandibular joints.

Repairing Existing Harm To Your Smile

After we take a look at your condition, we may determine if restorative or cosmetic dental work can improve the damage from your teeth grinding problem. Cosmetic solutions, such as porcelain veneers, target the esthetic concerns of your smile. The placement of a veneer can cover the chips and cracks brought upon by bruxism. They can also rejuvenate discoloration issues caused by the wearing of your natural enamel. Our office also offers bonding and contouring work, which provides dramatic results without greatly altering the structure of your teeth.

Our office will seek the most conservative approach to address your dental concerns, but sometimes a restorative procedure is necessary. If grinding cracks or breaks one of your teeth, you may need a dental crown. The placement of a crown will restore your tooth’s strength and mimic its original function.

Speak With Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About Treating Teeth Grinding

By treating your bruxism, we can help avoid serious dental damage and improve your quality of life. For more information, contact your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at 913-901-8585.