Bruxism isn’t like most of the common dental health issues you may be familiar with. For instance, unlike tooth decay and gum disease, it can’t be prevented as easily as brushing and flossing your teeth every day. It also may not be as obvious at first, at least not until you begin to exhibit signs like tooth wear and damage. Bruxism, which describes constant teeth-grinding, can be the result of one or several different factors. Therefore, protecting your smile from bruxism means finding out why it’s occurring so that your dentist can restore harmony to your bite’s function.
What Bruxism Does
Bruxism is only considered bruxism when you grind your teeth consistently and, often, unconsciously. For many patients, it happens most frequently at night as they sleep, making it even more difficult to detect. When it develops, however, bruxism can cause severe wear and damage to your teeth, which can change your bite’s alignment, make your teeth weak and susceptible to disease, and much more. As a symptom of many potentially serious underlying dental issues, bruxism only grows worse the longer it is left untreated.
How to Treat It Effectively
While detecting bruxism can be challenging, treating it once your dentist diagnosis it is often simple and straightforward. For instance, if your teeth have not yet been damaged, then you may be able to alleviate your bruxism with a custom-designed oral appliance, or nightguard. The appliance slightly resembles a sports mouthguard, but is smaller and more comfortable so you can sleep soundly while the appliance is in place. If your teeth have been damaged, then your treatment could include a customized restoration to rebuild the damaged tooth structure.
Find Out How to Stop Bruxism
If you have bruxism, then find out how your dentist can help you protect your smile from it. To learn more, schedule an appointment with your dentist by calling Keelan Dental in Butler, PA, at (724) 285-4153. Our Smile Certified experts happily serve patients from Butler, Cranberry Township, Mars, Pittsburgh, Butler County, and all surrounding communities.