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.

What steps can you take to protect your teeth when you are asleep? By brushing and flossing each evening, you clear deposits of oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, but how do you protect against the physical wear and tear of your teeth? Otherwise known as bruxism, you may not even know you are grinding and clenching your teeth at night until the damage becomes quite significant. The erosion of your enamel caused by this disorder can cause your bite to become uneven as well as expose the inner layers of your teeth to oral threats. Stress from clenching your facial muscles and jaw can cause restless sleep and chronic pain that you awake to each morning. Fortunately, by reporting your symptoms, you can receive a solution that offers protection from your grinding habit.

At your Cerritos, CA dental practice, we can evaluate your mouth for signs of bruxism and provide you with appropriate treatment. When you wear a nightly oral guard, you can separate each row of your smile from touching one another and end the wear and tear of your teeth. You will enjoy a better night’s rest as the guard ends the stressful clenching of your jaw and allows your muscles to relax while you sleep.