Taking care of your smile is about more than brushing your teeth twice a day; the overall structure of your smile makes a huge difference regarding how your teeth age over time. Keep reading to learn more from our Glendale dentists.
Dental enamel is undoubtedly a strong substance, but it isn’t indestructible. Tooth-on-tooth contact creates mini cracks and chips on the tooth’s surface, and leaves the tooth vulnerable to additional damage infection.
You may find that you’re clenching or grinding your teeth due to:
- Increased stress
- Poor bite alignment (which makes it difficult for your top and bottom teeth to come together comfortably and naturally)
- TMJ damage
When chronic dental grinding is left untreated, it can cause a number of oral health issues, including:
- Pain and discomfort, especially around the jaw joints
- Weakened dental enamel
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Shifting dental alignment
The key to successfully treating dental grinding, is to first identify the underlying cause of the behavior. Treatment can then be customized to meet your needs. If, for example, your top and bottom teeth do not come together comfortably, this can be improved with orthodontic treatment, new restorations, or even dental bonding. If, on the other hand, you are clenching your teeth due to stress, then you may simply need to incorporate some calming, stress-reduction techniques into your routine. There are also jaw exercises that can help to relieve tension.
The first step in this process is to schedule a consultation with our Glendale dental team. During your consultation, we’ll assess your smile, and screen it for signs of existing damage. You can always give our office a call to speak to a member of our team, or you can use the Contact Us page on our website to submit an inquiry with your contact information. We look forward to speaking with you!