How do you stay on top of protecting your oral health? When you take time to select a healthy diet, you can avoid sugary snacks and drinks that can erode the enamel surface layer of your teeth. You also brush and floss your smile daily to remove particles of food that form oral plaques and lead to cavities and gum disease. But what can you do to stop dangerous behavior that happens while you sleep? If you grind or clench your teeth at night, you may be quickly wearing away at the natural material of your smile without even knowing it. Many people with this condition do not learn about it until they have already done significant damage to their teeth. Also known as bruxism, this habit can bring your bite out of alignment and lead to a variety of other oral health problems. Losing enamel can lead to cavity formation, and an unaligned bite can put serious strain on your jaw.
At your Prarie Village, KS dental practice, we can help you identify and treat your bruxism habit. When you come in for a general checkup, we will examine your smile for signs of wear and tear. If we believe you to be grinding at night, we can design a custom oral appliance to protect your teeth while you sleep. By separating each row of teeth from one another, you can prevent wear and reduce the pressure of constant biting force.
Discovering Your Bruxism Problem
The first step to treating your grinding and clenching problem is detecting it in the first place. If you suspect you are performing this habit at night, consider asking a loved one to watch over you while you sleep. They may be able to see you biting or hear the sounds of your teeth gnashing together. You may also detect the issue if you wake each morning with significant strain in your jaw joint or facial muscles. When you experience these symptoms, let us know right away so we may provide desirable relief.
Repairing Your Smile
After designing your oral appliance to protect your smile, we can discuss cosmetic solutions to return your smile’s original beauty. If years of bruxism have worn down the height of your teeth, we could place porcelain veneers to restore their height and cover any associated cracks, chips, or discoloration.
Talk To Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About Treating Your Nightly Grinding Habit
Although this condition may be hard to detect in its early stages, regular dental checkups can help you discover it soon. By wearing an oral guard while you sleep, you can halt bruxism and enjoy a more comfortable night’s rest. For more information about treating this problem, please contact your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at (913) 901-8585.
