How do you maintain the health of your teeth while you sleep? When you brush and floss before going to bed, you remove plaque deposits that contribute to gum disease, cavity formation, and bad breath. But what can you do to protect against the physical wear and tear from a nightly grinding habit? Known as bruxism, the habitual grinding and clenching of teeth can occur without you even knowing until the damage becomes serious. This habit can erode your enamel, wear down your teeth, and lead to problems with the alignment of your bite itself. As your enamel erodes, you have a higher risk for tooth decay. Similarly, the stress from constant jaw movement may leave you waking up with pain in the muscles of your face. By reporting any of these symptoms to your dentist, you can receive a solution to stop your grinding habit and protect the health of your teeth.
Your Cerritos, CA, dentist can examine your teeth for the symptoms of bruxism and create a plan to provide protection and repair existing damage. By wearing an oral guard while you sleep, you can separate each row of teeth from grinding against one another and prevent wear and tear. Enjoy waking up feeling refreshed as your guard relieves stress from your jaw.
Determining The Presence Of Nightly Grinding
Bruxism has many causes including, but not limited to, high stress, anxiety, alcohol use, and various sleep disorders. By addressing these conditions in your everyday life, you may enjoy a reduction in an existing grinding habit. If you notice your teeth chipping or loss of enamel on the surface of your teeth, let your dentist know about this main symptom. Consider asking a family member to watch you while you sleep to determine if you grind at night. They should be able to hear your teeth as well as see movement in your jaw.
Wearing Your Oral Guard
To intervene and stop your teeth from touching one another, we will provide an oral guard if we detect the signs of bruxism. This appliance helps you prevent damage to your teeth and the increase of tooth decay and disease associated with grinding. We can then discuss cosmetic options to repair your damage and return a healthy appearance to your smile!
Talk To Your Cerritos, CA, Dentist About Preventing Teeth Grinding With An Oral Guard
When you wear an oral guard at night, you can prevent your teeth from grinding while you sleep. Enjoy an improved night’s rest when you relieve this stressful habit. To discuss using this solution or repairing damage from your condition, please call your Cerritos, CA, dentist’s office at (562)-584-4082! We serve patients from all surrounding communities, such as Lakewood, Long Beach, and Buena Park.
