Bruxism is a disorder that involves grinding the teeth back and forth, usually in your sleep. The jaw muscles are extremely powerful, designed to chew crunchy and tough foods. When nothing is between the upper and lower teeth, all the pressure is directly on the teeth, which can cause extensive damage. If you live in the Anaheim and Yorba Linda, CA, area and need teeth grinding/bruxism treatment, come see our dental team at Majestic Smile Studio.
Bruxism can be very damaging to your smile and oral health. The grinding motion can wear away the enamel on the teeth, leaving them vulnerable to tooth decay and other health problems. The stress of clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth can result in fractures in the teeth. Small cracks in the teeth can also allow bacteria inside the teeth, which can jeopardize the tooth and increase the risk for tooth infections.
Not only the teeth can be damaged from bruxism. The jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be impacted from jaw clenching and teeth grinding. This can cause jaw pain, headaches, ear aches and jaw joint dysfunction.
Relief from Bruxism
One of the simplest treatments for bruxism is wearing a dental nightguard. These plastic devices fit over the teeth and prevent them from touching while you sleep. This can stop wear on the enamel and the jaw joints while you sleep, preventing expensive and painful dental damage.
At Majestic Smile Studio, we can create customized nightguards that are made to fit your mouth and teeth. We ensure the mouthguard is comfortable and effective for protecting your teeth and jaw. Most patients quickly become accustomed to wearing the nightguard. The device can quickly relieve pain that many people have from bruxism and offers protection from future damage to the teeth. Wearing a dental nightguard can also be beneficial for other nocturnal disorders, such as sleep apnea or snoring.
If you have been told you grind your teeth at night or you were diagnosed with bruxism, there are effective treatments available. To learn more about teeth grinding treatment, come visit our dental team at Majestic Smile Studio. Contact our dental center in Yorba Linda, CA, to schedule your bruxism consultation with Dr. Maria Gutierrez.
