Several factors can contribute to the well-being of your dental health. Proper hygiene and prevention can keep your smile looking and feeling fresh. However, if you are feeling like you have constant tooth sensitivity or weak enamel, you may need help with more than typical care. Bruxism, or the chronic grinding of your teeth, can damage your teeth even when you keep up with your oral hygiene. Dr. Browne and his team in Prairie Village, KS, can help you address this problem and help you feel confident in your smile again.
Read more: Repairing Your Smile After BruxismCauses Of Bruxism
Unfortunately, there is no single cause for this condition. Factors such as your genetics, family history, health, stress, age, and more can all play a role in your likelihood of developing this disorder. Many patients experience this problem in their sleep, which can make it difficult to identify.
At your next checkup, your dentist may be able to see signs such as worn enamel or chipped teeth. These are common indicators of bruxism. This condition is also often linked to TMJ, so if you frequently experience headaches or tension, mention this to your dentist as well.
How We Can Help
Once the problem has been diagnosed, a treatment plan can be created. To prevent further damage from this disorder, a mouthguard can be created for you. This simple tool will be worn as you sleep and can protect against both TMJ and bruxism problems. For patients with TMJ, this appliance can provide more support for your jaw joints. A mouthguard can also help protect the teeth from scraping against each other.
Restoring The Damage
Because this disorder can weaken the enamel over time, teeth will be more susceptible to damage. If you suffer from cracks, chips, or broken teeth due to this disorder, we can help you repair your smile. It is important to first treat the disorder so that further harm is not done. Then, you can discuss your restoration treatments with your dentist.
Depending on your needs, we can offer crowns, bridges, implants, and more. A dental crown is a common solution for chips and cracks. A tooth-shaped cap will be bonded to the natural tooth. This will restrengthen the area and protect it from further damage.
In other cases, a prosthetic option such as an implant may be more helpful. If your tooth has been lost or is damaged beyond repair, replacing it could be the best option. An implant will be secured deep into the jaw and the new structure will blend in naturally with your smile.
Get Help With Bruxism Today
We can design an oral guard and treatment plan to protect your smile from this condition. To schedule a bruxism treatment consultation, please contact your Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office at (913) 901-8585.
