O’Fallon Dentist Offers Solutions To Bruxism Related Problems
If you are struggling with chronic dental grinding and clenching—referred to as bruxism—our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you manage this condition. There are many things that you can do to help protect your smile—keep reading to learn more!
If you’ve been diagnosed with bruxism, then you have shown symptoms of habitually grinding and clenching your teeth. Dental patients of many different ages suffer from bruxism, so you certainly aren’t alone!
There are actually a number of different of issues that can cause bruxism. The most common are:
· Stress and anxiety—some people only grind their teeth when they are scared or stressed—the grinding is a an unconscious stress-management habit
· Bite problems—if your bite surfaces do not come together evenly, you may grind and clench your teeth because your smile cannot find a comfortable “resting place” at night
· TMJ dysfunction—patients with damaged temporomandibular joints are also prone to dental grinding
Working with our dental team, you’ll be able to pinpoint the cause of your bruxism, so that we can tailor treatment to fit your needs. If, for example, you deal with stress-related bruxism, you may benefit from implementing some stress-reduction measures into your life. On the other hand, if your bite is misaligned, or your jaw is not functioning well, our dental team may recommend dental treatment to address these structural issues.
Custom crafted mouthpieces, for example, can really help dental patients suffering from bruxism. These mouthpieces not only protect dental enamel from grinding, they also help to guide the bottom jaw into a comfortable position under the upper jaw.
The sooner that you seek treatment for bruxism, the better off your smile will be in the long-term. As always, please feel free to call our O’Fallon dentists if you want more information or to schedule a personal consultation.