Are your teeth being damaged while you are asleep? When you brush them every night before you go to bed, you provide valuable protection against harmful decay-causing bacteria, but what can you do for the grinding habit known as bruxism? You may not even be aware you experience this disorder until the wear on your teeth becomes quite significant. Tooth damage, stress on your jaw joints and facial muscles, and chronic pain can occur when you clench your teeth throughout the night. As your enamel erodes and your bite becomes uneven, you become at risk for even further oral health complications like cavities, gum disease, and lost teeth.
At your Cerritos, CA, dentist’s office, we inspect our patients for signs of bruxism and can provide a solution to protect your mouth from its wear and tear. By wearing an oral guard at night, you enjoy a more peaceful sleep as the device separates each row of your teeth from contacting one another. This protects your surface enamel and relieves pounds of pressure from constant clenching. You can preserve your smile’s healthy look and rest with the knowledge that your bite is safe!
Determing If You Experience Bruxism
While the causes of grinding your teeth are largely unknown, bruxism is associated with stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and excessive alcohol consumption. Although pinpointing the specific cause may be difficult, taking steps to reduce those conditions may provide if you discover a problem with constantly clenching your teeth. The symptoms vary depending on the severity of your condition and are mainly indicated by worn-down, chipped teeth. Your grinding may be audible to others such as your loved ones, and you may wake up with chronic headaches and earaches. Your teeth, jaw, and facial muscles become sore when you wake from a night of grinding your teeth.
Wearing Your Oral Guard
When you visit our practice and we diagnose the signs of bruxism, we can provide an oral guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. This prevents you from destroying the healthy structures of your teeth by separating each row with a BPA-free custom-fit material. Wearing your appliance every night stops the progression of enamel erosion that otherwise leads to tooth decay and gum disease. If you like, we can also discuss cosmetic options to address the esthetic damage of your bruxism habit.
Speak With Your Cerritos, CA, Dentist About Wearing An Oral Guard
When you grind your teeth at night, you risk eroding your enamel and causing problems with the alignment of your bite. By wearing an oral night guard, you can stop this dangerous habit and increase the quality of your sleep. To discuss using this appliance or repairing your damage from bruxism, please call your Cerritos, CA, dentist’s office at (562)-584-4082!
