Many people already know that certain things, like sugary snacks and acidic substances, can damage oral health over time. However, there are other, lesser known, oral health threats that are equally important to address. One of these is bruxism.
Bruxism is a term that we use to refer to chronic dental clenching and grinding. For some people, bruxism pops up episodically in times of stress. Others experience chronic bruxism. You may even be grinding your teeth at night when you are asleep.
Bruxism puts an enormous amount of pressure on your jaw joints, and, thus, can contribute to TMJ dysfunction. Additionally, the tooth-on-tooth contact caused by bruxism causes dental enamel to thin over time. This leaves your smile vulnerable to developing cracks and chips.
The goals of bruxism treatment are twofold: first, to address the root cause of clenching to minimize bruxism, and then to protect teeth for those times when grinding does occur.
If your top and bottom teeth do not come together naturally and evenly, you may grind your teeth in your sleep, because your jaw cannot find a comfortable resting position. Some patients will benefit from orthodontic treatment or dental bonding/restorations that help to improve bite alignment.
Our dental team also creates custom oral appliances for bruxism sufferers to wear at night. These oral appliances help to guide the patient’s lower jaw into a healthy position, and they work to protect the dental enamel from tooth-on-tooth contact. Because these mouth pieces are customized to suit the patient’s needs, they fit comfortably, and stay in place throughout the night.
Bruxism, if left untreated, can increase your risk of developing a number of additional oral health issues. That is why our O’Fallon dentists encourage our patients to seek prompt treatment as soon as they notice dental grinding or clenching in their own lives.
If you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth at night, you may notice a few symptoms that point to bruxism. Patients with bruxism often have headaches upon waking—a result of the tension created by nighttime bruxism. You may also develop TMJ problems over time, including soreness, limited jaw mobility, and bite changes.
As always, our O’Fallon dental team is here to answer any questions that you may have, and to support you in getting the treatment you need. Give us a call to get started!