How do you protect your smile while you are asleep? You might be grinding and clenching your teeth at night without being aware of the harm this behavior causes. If not addressed, damage to your enamel from unconscious wear and tear can lead to serious complications with your oral health. This condition, known as bruxism, can make you more susceptible to bacterial infection as worn enamel exposes the delicate inside portion of your tooth. Your bite can become misaligned and cause problems chewing your food comfortably. If you suspect you have symptoms of this disorder, speak with your Cerritos, CA dentist right away. We offer a treatment to protect your teeth from the damage of nightly grinding and preserve the overall health of your smile.
The Effects Of Nightly Grinding And Clenching
When left untreated, continual grinding and clenching of your teeth at night is likely to cause serious structural harm. This action applies significant force to the enamel and can lead to chipping and cracking. The unconscious habit can cause issues with tooth discoloration and make you appear older than you actually are. Gum disease and tooth decay can take hold and leave you in need of more advanced repair. Fortunately, we can treat bruxism with the nightly wearing of a custom oral guard.
How Night Guards Protect Your Teeth While You Sleep
When we see the symptoms of bruxism, we will provide a solution that creates a barrier between the upper and lower sets of your teeth. A night guard is a customized appliance that fits the individual shape of your mouth. Wearing this device each night protects your enamel and relieves pressure placed upon your jaw by continuous clenching. This can address headaches and migraines caused by constant stress upon your temporomandibular joints.
Cosmetic Options To Treat Existing Wear And Tear
After evaluating the damage to your teeth from grinding and clenching, we can explore cosmetic dental treatments to improve your smile’s appearance and overall oral health. Our office can provide you with a set of porcelain veneers that cover any chips and cracks to the surface of your enamel. We mimic the tooth’s natural appearance by applying a thin layer of white porcelain. This treatment effectively addresses tooth discoloration caused by enamel erosion and is a proper alternative for patients who do not respond well to bleach based teeth whitening services. We also design custom dental crowns to restore the appearance of damaged teeth.
Talk To Your Cerritos, CA Dentist About Treating Teeth Grinding
Bruxism can harm your smile while you sleep. Fortunately, the use of a custom oral guard can lower your risk for damaging your teeth and causing future complications. To discuss how use of a night guard offers important protection, and to treat any existing damage from grinding, please call our Cerritos, CA dentist’s office at (562)-584-4082!
