Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common oral health concern, but one that could literally damage your smile. To stop injuries and prevent major complications, we can offer a comfortable solution. In today’s blog, Delightful Dental Care talks about treating bruxism in Kansas City, MO, with custom appliances, so you can enjoy relief and protect your teeth from injuries.
The Onset of Bruxism
How does bruxism develop in our smiles? For some, this could be due to a very high level of stress in their daily life. For others, a related issue like TMJ disorder could leave the smile vulnerable to teeth grinding. Issues that upset bite balance and strain the jaw joints could also lead to chronic teeth grinding, such as losing teeth, dental misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or issues with the growth of the jaw or eruption of the teeth. Even the arrival of your wisdom teeth could be a factor!
Warning Signs and Injuries
What warning signs should you be aware of? With chronic teeth grinding, your significant other could let you know about it, but there are also signs that develop in the waking hours. Symptoms could include headaches and migraines, jaw and facial pain, and aches in the neck and shoulders. Tooth sensitivity and toothaches are common too. As the pressure wears down outer tooth structure or cracks/chips a tooth, this could lead to tooth decay and infection, and alters the appearance of your smile in negative ways. Which is why you need treatment!
Oral Appliance Treatment
Our team will start treatment by taking detailed digital images and impressions of your bite, which we then use to help design and cat an oral appliance. This appliance will be custom-fitted for your bite and worn while you sleep. Fitting comfortably, this helps shift your jaw to ease the pressure on your bite and bring relief from bruxism symptoms during your waking hours. This also helps place a soft barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth, so the grinding doesn’t damage your teeth. The appliance is simply to use and clean, and when you hit the road for vacation it can travel with you!
If your teeth have been damaged, we could offer repair that ensures a lifelike appearance with options like dental bonding and even custom dental crowns. If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat bruxism, or if you have painful symptoms that need attention, then contact our team today to learn more.
Schedule Your Appointment for Teeth Grinding Treatment
If you want to avoid teeth grinding-related injuries, then talk about general dentistry with Dr. Diana Tabakh, DDS. To schedule your appointment, please call Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO at (816) 942-7669 today.