Bruxism or also commonly known as habitual teeth grinding or teeth clenching affects millions of people is characterized by the grinding of the teeth and is typically associated with jaw clenching which can lead to morning migraines, headaches, enlarged jaw muscles, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain. For some, unconscious teeth clenching and grinding, either while awake or asleep, can lead to severe dental problems and or damaging your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When your temporomandibular joint is healthy, you might not even be aware that it’s working hard to take care of you. Its function is to stabilize your lower face in relation to your skull. This is very important for chewing, breathing, and speaking. When there is damage to the jaw joints because of excessive teeth clenching or grinding, it can make simple, everyday tasks like speaking, chewing, quite painful.
Luckily, the professionals at Sloan Creek Dental in Fairview, TX can assess you for symptoms of teeth grinding, and come up with a solution before it’s too late. Dr. Feng can conduct a full exam, fix the effects of teeth grinding, and may recommend TMJ therapy for relief.
Teeth grinding can be very disruptive to your life. In addition to causing pain and discomfort, you may also experience damage and the potential for a serious dental problem. Most individuals who experience teeth grinding do not realize they grind their teeth until they visit the dentist or until they notice pain during normal everyday tasks such as speaking and chewing. Which is why it is important to schedule regular dental checkups at least twice a year so that Dr. Feng can examine your smile and treat your teeth before more complex dental problems develop. If you are noticing worn teeth, jaw pain, fractured teeth, and frequent headaches (especially in the morning), you may want to schedule an appointment to visit Sloan Creek Dental.
Signs of teeth grinding may include:
During the exam, Dr. Feng will examine your smile, address any dental concerns you may have, and discuss your dental goals. If we notice teeth clenching or teeth grinding, we will help diagnose this condition as early as possible. Visiting us regularly can help us detect early signs of bruxism, before it causes major damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. We can notice irregular wear on teeth and help you diagnose the cause of facial or jaw pain. If you have bruxism, we have a few potential solutions.
One solution is a custom-made dental oral appliance such as a mouth guard or night guard to wear while you sleep. A mouth guard is made out of acrylic and is designed from your teeth impressions to minimize the abrasive grinding or clenching action while you sleep. A custom mouth guard is safe and easy way to save you thousands of dollars in dental damage, and significant pain.
If you continuously grind your teeth at night, it can lead to problems with the structure of your teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. Untreated bruxism will slowly remove the enamel of your teeth and grind the top of the teeth often leading to chipping and cracking. Once the enamel has been worn down, there is a higher risk of tooth decay. If the problem worsens, your clenched jaw can lead to unnecessary chronic pain in your mouth, face, neck, and costly dental treatment.
If you already see symptoms of bruxism or notice some unusual wear on your teeth, we are here to help. After successfully addressing your condition, you can undergo cosmetic dental care to hide the damage. Many people who want to address their dental problems will be impressed with the improvements provided by porcelain veneers or dental crowns, depending on the severity of the damage.
Patients who suffer with teeth clenching or grinding need long-lasting solution. Contact us at (972) 468-1440 today to discuss how a dental oral appliance such as a mouth guard or night guard might benefit you and your smile.
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