Teeth clenching or grinding is never a healthy habit. Although some find this as a normal reaction to stress and tension, dentists always remind us the adverse effects of this unhealthy habit particularly to your oral health. Aside from chronic facial pain, severe clenching of teeth, day and night, can result to bruxism.
Bruxism is a complex dental problem that forces you to clench or grind your teeth even at night while you’re sleeping. Besides exhausting your teeth, the condition can cause chronic headache, jaw disorder, unnecessary wear and tear of teeth and other affiliated dental problems. Bruxism comes with several types and varieties. The most common is sleep bruxism. The term reflects the situation wherein you clench or grind your teeth unconsciously.
Fortunately, bruxism comprises a number of dental therapies. The most effective therapy is to prevent bruxism from developing and progressing. Dentists verified that to combat bruxism, every individual should learn its warning signs. Based on research, clenching and grinding of teeth are enough reasons to learn there’s something wrong with your teeth specifically if these symptoms appear at night. Along with these indicators are sensitivity of teeth, painful jaw, headache, chronic earache and facial pain. If your teeth start to flatten or get damage, you’re also candidate of bruxism disorder. This warning sign might result to unnecessary dental wear and tear.
This is a worry you need to consider. Nevertheless, you can rely on the following dental therapies provided by your dental specialist. The most renowned treatment for bruxism is mouth guard. Mouth guards are both available over the counter and inside your dentist’s clinic. Though over-the-counter mouth guards impose less hassle and twice convenient, dentists always suggest custom-made devices. That is to ensure it will fit based on your mouth’s size. If you are not comfortable with mouth guards, you can resort to other form of device used against bruxism, called splint. Splint comes with custom-made hard plastic that fits your top and lower teeth. The most appropriate type of splint you can use depends on your case. Other form of dental device for this is the NTI appliance. NTI appliance is a type of mouth guard. Only that it fits over the front teeth alone. This is to prevent back molars from clenching.
Severe bruxism might need more than using mouth guards. If emergency dental Mesa Arizona perceives your condition is affecting your bite, you will need to use orthodontic dental treatment, like dental braces. Dental braces can correct your bite, straighten your teeth and enhance your smile. The best dental specialist you can consult with this is orthodontist. If your teeth need some restorations, your dentist may use dental onlays, veneers or crowns along with dental braces. The purpose is to restore your teeth’s former glory.
Similar with other dental problems, bruxism is preventable. Simply exercise proper oral hygiene on a daily basis, like brushing and dental flossing of teeth. Learn to visit your dentist frequently, too. Professional dentists can help you prevent the risks of different dental problems, including teeth grinding.