Bruxism is a disorder that occurs when people grind their teeth or clench them on a near nightly basis. While we sometimes grind our teeth occasionally, this normally is a rare occurrence. But persistent episodes could mean damaged teeth and serious consequences for your oral health. Fortunately, your Overland Park, KS, dentist has a solution!
Bruxism and TMJ Disorder
Our jaw joints control the movements needed to eat and speak, and when they undergo excessive pressure, then TMJ disorder could develop. This issue could make opening and closing the mouth difficult, and lead to a greater risk of bruxism. In addition, untreated bruxism could strain the jaw joints and lead to TMJ disorder. Bruxism also places pressure on the teeth, wearing down structure and increasing the risk of tooth decay and infection in the process. For some, this could make the teeth appear small, or even crack or chip them. Along with untreated TMJ disorder, other causes of teeth grinding include poor bite balance, misalignment, tooth loss, stress, and injury to the face or jaw.
Signs of Trouble
If you don’t have anyone telling you about your grinding episodes, then you may need or rely on other warning signs. Common indicators could include headaches and migraines, soreness in the face or jaw, or aches in the neck and shoulders. You could also experience tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks, as well as prolonged toothaches. If you begin to experience any pain in and around your face, or ache sin your teeth or changes to structure, then please contact our team today. We will examine your smile for signs of wear and friction, along with other warning signs of teeth grinding.
Oral Appliance Therapy
We will take detailed impressions and measurements of your smile, which we use to create a device that will look a lot like a mouthguard. Worn at night, this unique oral appliance is designed to reposition the jaw, improving bite balance and relieving pressure on the jaw joints. This could help stop symptoms related to bruxism and TMJ disorder. In addition, the appliance also places a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth, a barrier that could help prevent further damage. If you have any questions about treating teeth grinding, let us know. If your teeth have already sustained damage, then we can often repair them with dental bonding or a custom restoration.
Ready to Stop Grinding Your Teeth?
If you grind and clench your teeth on a regular basis, you could end up damaging your smile! Remember that we can help with a custom oral appliance. To learn more about preventive dentistry, schedule your consultation by calling Family First Dental in Overland Park, KS, today at 913-381-2600.