Not every threat to your smile is obvious. For example, even the most common threats (the oral bacteria that make up plaque and tartar) can’t be seen until there’s enough of them to lead to serious complications. Bruxism, or constant teeth-grinding, is another common but not always obvious threat. If left unchecked, the immense amount of pressure and friction your teeth are exposed to will quickly wear them out, making them weaker and more likely to break. At our El Paso, TX, dental office, we can custom-design a solution, such as a bruxism appliance, to help you address your teeth-grinding before your teeth are substantially damaged.
A few things about bruxism
Bruxism doesn’t just mean to grind your teeth. In fact, most people do that every now and then. On the contrary, bruxism means that you grind your teeth excessively and, often, unconsciously. It can result from an imbalance in your bite, such as crooked teeth, or from an excessive level of daily stress. For many people, it’s also closely tied to jaw dysfunction, or TMJ disorder, which affects your jaw joints’ ability to move properly. Depending on the exact nature and extent of your bruxism, treating it might also include treatment to restore the health and proper function of your jaw joints.
What worn down teeth can lead to
One of the biggest dangers of bruxism is the tooth wear and damage that it can lead to when left untreated long enough. Healthy, natural teeth are incredibly strong and resilient, but when repeatedly forced against each other, even healthy teeth can wear down from the stress. As the chewing surfaces of your teeth wear down from it, the changes can affect how well your bite functions, placing further stress on your jaw joints, as well. Untreated bruxism and increasingly worse tooth wear can lead to a host of dental health issues beyond TMJ disorder, including increased risks of tooth decay, malocclusion, and more.
How to stop wearing your teeth out
The good news is that, if you’re diagnosed with bruxism, then we may be able to help you avoid its potential consequences with the help of a custom-designed appliance. Wearing the appliance while you sleep at night will stop your teeth from grinding and wearing each other out. If your teeth have already experienced damage, then your treatment could also include an appropriate restoration to rebuild your healthy tooth structure.
Find a custom solution to your bruxism
If you do it often enough, then grinding your teeth could be the biggest thing stressing them out and wearing them down right now. To learn more about custom bruxism treatment, schedule an appointment by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We also have offices in Chaparral, Canutillo, and Vinton so we can easily serve patients throughout all surrounding communities.