In our last blog, we looked at how a custom oral appliance provides relief for people suffering from TMJ disorder. But what if you grind your teeth? Regular teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, could damage your smile and lead to major oral health complications. Fortunately, your Omaha, NE, dentist may be able to stop grinding and clenching with a custom mouthguard.
The Danger of Bruxism
When we grind and clench our teeth on a near-nightly basis, this places enormous pressure on our smiles. Eventually, this pressure could wear down enamel and tooth structure, and even crack or chip a tooth. The damage and compromised enamel mean bacteria can now reach the inner layers of tooth structure, enabling decay and eventually infection to develop, causing severe pain and in extreme cases, the risk of tooth loss. Treating the issue also prevents the onset of complications, such as TMJ disorder and headaches/migraines.
Why Do We Grind Our Teeth?
A number of causes could lead to persistent teeth grinding. For example, you could be experiencing high levels of stress in your daily life, have untreated TMJ disorder, or may have lost one or more of your teeth. Bite imbalance and misalignment could be the culprit, as well as an injury to the face or jaw. If you begin to experience pain in and around your smile, including jaw pain and toothaches, then let us know. Headaches are also common, as is facial discomfort. We will examine the wear and friction on your teeth to assess the cause and severity, and then recommend the most appropriate treatment option.
Custom Mouthguard Treatment
Often, we will address the issue with a custom-made mouthguard. The device will be created based on detailed impressions we gather of your smile, as well as measurements and x-ray images. We then craft a mouthguard that is worn at night as you sleep. The device repositions the jaw to ease strain, and also places a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth to help prevent further damage. You can also avoid chewing on hard or chewy foods/objects, cut back on caffeinated drinks, and use a warm compress against the side of the face to ease strain. If you have any questions about treating teeth grinding, then contact our team today. We’re here to help return your smile to optimal health and function.
Do You Grind Your Teeth?
Our team would love help find the best solution for your teeth grinding and jaw clenching. To learn more about our preventive and general treatment options, schedule a consultation by calling Pacific Hills Dental in Omaha, NE, today at (402) 330-2243. We also serve the residents of Papillion, Elkhorn, La Vista, Millard, and all surrounding communities.
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