If you have bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, this could do far more than interrupt your significant other’s sleep. Over time, the pressure from grinding and clenching your teeth could actually damage your smile. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist will explain why you should seek treatment, and how we repair chipped or cracked teeth.
The Causes of Bruxism
What causes the disorder to develop in the first place? Bruxism could be the result of high levels of stress in your daily life, which is not unexpected for most of us considering the ongoing pandemic. Other factors include issues that upset the bite balance and strain the jaw joints, such as misalignment, tooth loss, or injury to the face or jaw. If you have TMJ disorder that remains untreated, this could also increase the risk of teeth grinding and clenching.
Warning Signs
You may have a significant other let you know that you grind your teeth in the night. If not, then there are other warning signs you may encounter during waking hours, such as headaches, migraines, jaw pain, facial aches, or pain in the neck or shoulders. Since the grinding and clenching places inordinate pressure on your teeth, tooth sensitivity and toothaches could occur as structure is worn down or portions of the teeth cracked or chipped.
Damage
The damage not only impacts smile esthetics, but could also expose sensitive inner structure to harmful bacteria. As a result, your bruxism could mean more than just dental damage, but tooth decay and dental infection as well. Painful symptoms could increase until you have trouble eating without difficulty.
Treatment and Repair
Our team will use digital technology to carefully examine the teeth for signs of wear and friction. Next, we will select the best treatment option. For example, clear aligners could correct misalignment to ease pressure, and placing a crown could improve overall bite balance. However, a custom-fitted oral appliance could reposition the jaw and place a barrier between the teeth, treating the cause of your teeth grinding and preventing further damage.
If you have one or more teeth that have become worn-down, chipped, or cracked, we could repair them. Dental bonding addresses minor damage in one visit, and we also have custom and lifelike dental crowns to handle more severe cases. If you have any questions about diagnosing or treating bruxism, or about repairing your teeth with esthetically-friendly solutions, then contact our team today.
Do You Grind Your Teeth?
If you have teeth grinding, then the health and stability of your smile could suffer without treatment. To learn more about treating issues like bruxism, TMJ disorder, or even damaged teeth, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
