Sometimes, patients are plagued with somewhat general, hard-to-pinpoint oral health problems for months or years before they seek treatment. These issues are often connected to structural problems with the patient’s smile: specifically, bruxism.
Our Glendale dentists offer effective and patient-friendly treatment for bruxism, which is chronic dental grinding and clenching. Keep reading to learn more about how bruxism manifests. The sooner that you identify this issue, and seek treatment, the better your long-term prognosis.
When a patient’s top and bottom teeth do not come together evenly and naturally, the top and bottom teeth can grind and clench; this is your jaw trying to find a comfortable resting place.
The first thing that you may notice is jaw soreness or tension. This is a sign that you’re putting too much pressure on your temporomandibular joints.
Because many people grind their teeth when they are asleep, it’s common for bruxism sufferers to wake up with sore teeth.
Bruxism can also cause headaches upon waking. These tension headaches often dissipate as the day goes on, but they’re an unfortunate way to start the day.
When bruxism is left untreated, it leads to dental damage down the road. The tooth-on-tooth contact of bruxism causes dental enamel to thin and become weaker. You may find that you develop cavities more frequently, as well as chipped and cracked teeth. Thin enamel will also make your teeth look yellow and dull.
Depending on the underlying cause of your bruxism, our dental team may recommend a number of different treatments. In some cases, orthodontic treatment, dental bonding, and even customized restorations can help to bring the smile into balance. Some people will benefit from wearing protective oral appliances at night; these mouth pieces protect the enamel.
If you think that you’re dealing with bruxism, please reach out to our Glendale dentists for a consultation!