Your smile’s health is of the utmost importance, and it should be the first thing to keep in mind when any oral care is involved. The reason for this is that your smile is constantly facing threats such as oral bacteria, germs, infections, diseases, and much more as the day goes on. As such, it is important to stay on top of your regular preventive routine to keep these threats at a minimum. Still, these only represent part of the entire spectrum of oral concerns, and some may affect you in ways you do not expect. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO dentist takes a look at the dangers of grinding your teeth while you slumber.
What Is Bruxism?
It goes without saying that your smile is constantly fending off various oral health threats. Indeed, from the bacteria that lead to tooth decay to the microorganisms that cause gum disease, there are various avenues in which your smile can become at risk. What you might not expect, however, is that there are other nontraditional occurrences that can also impact your smile’s health.
Take, for example, bruxism. Bruxism is the name given to chronic teeth grinding, and it can occur when a person is awake, but more often when a person is asleep. Further, it consists of tightly clenching the teeth together and moving the lower jaw from side to side. The friction generated by this process is damaging for your structures.
Without the proper treatment, bruxism will continue to occur. Moreover, this leads to an increased likelihood of developing a dangerous jaw dysfunction down the line. To learn more about this process, give our team a call today.
The Impact on Your Health and Function
With consistent teeth grinding, you can expect to endure a few different concerns. For example, the constant friction between structures can cause them to weaken and become prone to greater chances of infection. Additionally, injured teeth can make it difficult to perform routine tasks successfully such as biting, chewing, and even opening the mouth. Finally, the longer you wait to seek treatment, the more difficult it will be to treat down the line. To learn more about this process and how our team can help, contact our office today.
The Need for Early Intervention
Without early intervention, chronic teeth grinding can lead to the development of a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. This process consists of your jaw bone becoming misaligned with one or both of your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Further, it is only through splint therapy and a custom oral appliance that function can be restored.
Learn More Today
Contact Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO by calling 816-942-7669 to learn more about your options and schedule your next appointment with our team today.