When we grind our teeth, this could potentially damage our smile and lead to serious trouble. But why do some of us grind our teeth nightly, and what could happen if our bruxism isn’t treated? In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about how untreated bruxism could damage your smile and lead to serious complications.
Why We Grind Our Teeth
We could grind our teeth nightly, a disorder known as bruxism, for a number of reasons. Imbalance in the bite, caused by tooth loss, malocclusion, injury to the face or jaw, or complications with the growth of the jaw or certain oral structures. High levels of stress in your daily life can be a factor, as can untreated TMJ disorder. When we examine your smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, we will be able to identify the factors behind your bruxism and assess the severity, choosing the most appropriate treatment options.
Dangers for Your Smile
Without treatment, grinding and clenching your teeth could begin to wear down outer tooth structure or even crack or chip a tooth. This damage then exposes the sensitive inner tissues to bacteria, which means the onset of cavities and infected teeth. You could develop painful symptoms, such as toothaches and discomfort when eating, and this could even increase the risk of lost teeth. Let us know when you experience common symptoms, such as headaches, migraines, jaw pain, facial aches, tooth sensitivity, and toothaches. At this stage, you may need treatment to prevent further injury!
Treatment for Bruxism
For some, we could help by correcting bite balance. We could accomplish this through dental contouring, placing a custom dental crown, or even orthodontic treatment such as our ClearCorrect™ aligners. But for most, help is possible with a simple and noninvasive oral appliance. The device is crafted based on detailed digital impressions we create of your smile. When complete, the appliance is worn like a mouthguard as you sleep, repositioning the jaw to ease strain. This also puts a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to reduce the risk of further injury.
Our team can also repair any damage that has occurred. Minor chips and cracks, as well as worn down structure, can be replenished with dental bonding. This procedure only takes one visit to complete! We can also help with our lifelike dental crown too. If you have any questions about how to treat an issue like bruxism, then contact our team today.
Your Astoria, NY, Dentist Treats Teeth Grinding
We would like to help improve the oral health and function of your smile. To learn more about putting a stop to teeth grinding and clenching, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
