How do you keep your teeth healthy when you go to sleep? For most, brushing and flossing before bed removes deposits of oral bacteria that threaten their oral health. But what do you do if you suspect you clench your jaw or grind your teeth at night? Medically known as bruxism, this habit can be hard to detect and go untreated for a long time. As your behavior progresses, you risk wearing away your enamel and receiving an uneven bite. You can become susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease as the outer layer that protects teeth erodes. As your enamel contributes to the bright white shade of your teeth, its loss can prematurely age you as a yellow shade appears.
Fortunately, at your Cerritos, CA, dentist’s office, we can inspect your mouth for the symptoms of grinding and provide a simple device for halting its damage. Wearing an oral guard while you sleep can help you sleep more comfortably as it separates each row of teeth from wear. After treating the effects of your habit, we can explore practices to restore your smile’s healthy look!
How Bruxism Harms Your Oral Health
While many people occasionally grind and clench their teeth, it becomes a significant concern when you practice this habit regularly. Consistent grinding causes damage by cracking, fracturing, and wearing down your teeth. As the force of your jaw applies throughout the night, you may wake up with sore facial muscles or begin to develop TMJ, a disorder of the temporomandibular joints. When the protective outer layer of your tooth erodes, you also risk infection of your pulp. To prevent developing these oral concerns, we recommend alerting your dentist so they can provide appropriate treatment.
Using An Oral Night Guard
When your dentist detects the symptoms of bruxism, they will give you a device to protect your teeth as you sleep. An oral night guard made from BPA-free materials can separate each row of your bite to relieve the stress of constant clenching and grinding. This helps you prevent wear of your teeth, upsetting your bite, and the increased risk of gum disease brought upon by your nightly habit.
Repairing Your Worn Teeth
If bruxism causes a tooth to chip, crack, or become discolored, we can discuss cosmetic approaches to returning your smile’s beauty! We can place a set of porcelain veneers to cover damage across multiple teeth. For individual teeth that experience substantial change, a ceramic crown can restore the entire appearance of your tooth above your gumline.
Talk To Your Cerritos, CA Dentist About Wearing An Oral Guard
Grinding your teeth while you sleep harms your oral health by wearing your enamel and misaligning your bite. But by using an oral guard, you can treat the cause of wear and tear and relieve pain in your jaw. To discuss wearing this device, and repairing your damage from bruxism, please call your Cerritos, CA dentist’s office at (562)-584-4082!
