In our Toluca Lake dentist office, we help patients get the restorative and preventive treatments that they need. In today’s short article we are talking about the importance of preventive treatments for bruxism. We hope that this information helps you better understand how bruxism works, and what you can do to protect your smile from this very common dental problem.
So, let’s start by reviewing what, exactly, bruxism is. The term “bruxism” refers to habitual dental grinding and clenching. Many people start to grind or clench their teeth because they are feeling stressed or tired. However, you may also experience bruxism because your teeth are poorly aligned, and your top and bottom bite surfaces do not come together comfortably and natural.
As you would imagine, when your dental enamel grinds against dental enamel, your teeth can actually wear down over time. Bruxism can cause your smile to weaken (and thus be more susceptible to infection and damage), and to look dark and dull.
The good news is that, if we are able to spot bruxism in a timely manner, our dental team can help you get the preventive care that you need to minimize the amount of damage that bruxism can cause.
· Stress-related bruxism may be addressed with stress reduction measures and techniques
· Our dental team may refine your bite surfaces to alleviate jaw pain and bruxism
· We may also outfit you with a customized mouth guard that you will wear when you sleep. This comfortable mouthpiece serves as a buffer between your top and bottom teeth to protect your enamel from grinding.
If your dentist recommends treatment for bruxism, please don’t hesitate to pursue treatment—it can really make a world of difference in the years to come. Our Toluca Lake dentists are happy to provide you with any additional information that you may need, so just give our team a call when you are ready to get started!