When most people think about “dental damage” they think about cavities. Dental infections can certainly damage your smile in a very real way. However, there are also a number of other dental issues that can degrade your oral health.
Today our Glendale dentists are reviewing one of these issues—chronic bruxism. Bruxism is surprisingly common, and many people do not even realize that they are living with this problematic, often unconscious, habit.
Keep reading to learn what bruxism is, and how it can negatively affect your smile.
Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by chronic dental clenching and grinding. People are more likely to exhibit these behaviors when they are stressed or frustrated. It is also very common for a person to grind or clench his or her teeth at night. These people may not even realize that they are doing this until they start to see dental damage as a result.
So, what kind of damage are we talking about?
Keep in mind that every time that you grind and clench your teeth, your enamel is put under an enormous amount of pressure, and it is scraping against other enamel. Over time this causes micro-cracks and chip in the patient’s dental enamel. As enamel weakens, it is more likely to fracture. Weak enamel is also more susceptible to infection than healthy enamel.
If you think that you may be suffering from bruxism, talk to our dental team. There are treatments available that will help you protect your teeth, and even minimize the instances of bruxism that you experience.
Want more information about preventive dentistry in general, or bruxism solutions in particular? Our Glendale dentists are here to help you! Please feel free to call us to get started, or simply use our Contact Us page to submit a question or comment for our dental team.