Teeth grinding is a very common problem for many people, and it's one that's often difficult to control. This is especially the case if you grind your teeth in your sleep. While doing things like reducing your stress levels and cutting back on caffeine can sometimes help, if you're still finding that your jaw hurts and you're clenching your teeth together without intending to, now might be a good time to get help. Here's how a dentist can assist you in mitigating damage to your teeth and jaw and stopping the habit from harming you.
Looking for Damage
Unfortunately, teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause problems for your teeth and oral health. This is one of the first ways that a dentist can give you a hand.
If you clench your teeth, it's a good idea to set up an appointment for a check-up and the following resolutions. To start, a dentist will examine your teeth for existing damage. Grinding your teeth together can lead to a loss of dental enamel, or even worn-down or cracked teeth. Even if you're not feeling any major discomfort or expect that anything is wrong, your dentist may be able to discover problems and can take steps to protect and clean your teeth to keep matters from getting worse.
Dental Restoration
If you've lost enamel on the surface of your teeth, this is a problem. Enamel is your best defense against cavities and the bacteria that cause them. If you've lost enamel on your teeth, your dentist may recommend dental bonding. This covers the damaged areas of your teeth with the same material that's used in dental fillings. This helps to protect the tooth from further stress, while also locking out bacteria and plaque.
If your teeth have been worn down from the grinding, bonding or crowns may be necessary to repair the damage. Again, this will help to prevent problems from becoming even worse. So if your dentist suggests it, it's highly recommended that you agree to the procedure.
Custom Guards
Finally, a custom dental guard can help to protect against damaging your teeth. These are similar to retainers and wrap over the surface of your teeth, keeping them from grinding against each other and inflicting damage when you clench your jaw. They're especially useful at night, but if you're a daytime grinder, you can use them then, too.
Custom dental guards can only be made by a dentist and are the best choice available. While over-the-counter guards exist, they tend to be difficult to set up, may not fit very well, and can exacerbate some problems that teeth grinders tend to have. If your dentist thinks a grinding guard could be useful for you, they'll recommend it during your appointment. Contact a local dentist to learn more.
Share10 November 2021
The average dentist takes many client appointments each day and also deals with emergency situations on a regular basis. Dental emergencies are very common because people are likely to put off having tooth pain fixed until the pain becomes unbearable. Some people have anxiety about dental visits, and others are trying to avoid the expense of dental care. In either case, the end result is often a dental emergency. I have worked as a professional dental hygienist for many years and have seen all types of dental emergencies. I hope that this blog will help people identify potential emergencies before they become too serious and will allow people to know when to get help.
