When grinding your teeth regularly wears down the surface of your teeth, you can begin to feel less proud about the appearance of your smile. While regular biting and chewing habits can cause some enamel erosion, the effect is usually minimal. But for those that have naturally soft enamel, or those who grind on a nightly basis, the effect can be prominent. The wear and tear of your enamel can cause you to look prematurely aged as teeth become shorter and turn a yellow hue.
At your Newport, CA dentist’s office, we can help you prevent damage from habitually grinding your teeth. The provision of a nightly oral guard allows you to sleep without worrying about your teeth wearing away at one another. After we have stemmed the cause of your habit, we can also discuss cosmetic solutions to return your smile’s beauty!
When Wear And Tear Erodes Your Enamel
It is normal for slight erosion of your enamel to take place over the years and influence your appearance, but this course usually takes time over the course of decades. If you detect it happening to your teeth at an accelerated rate, you may wonder what is causing the wear and tear. Tooth decay and exposure to acidic food and drinks can wear down the enamel. It can physically erode from the friction of constant grinding and clenching of the teeth known as bruxism. This problem can also cause headaches, pain in your jaw, or sensitive teeth. If one of these symptoms appears, then let your dentist know right away.
Treating Bruxism With A Night Guard
If we determine that you are grinding and clenching your teeth at night, we can provide an oral guard for wearing at night. Made from a BPA-free material, this appliance separates each row of teeth from rubbing as you sleep to prevent enamel erosion. As your grinding stops, you also relieve tension in your jaw which can increase your quality of sleep and improve feeling upon waking.
Cosmetic Solutions To Improve Your Smile
After we treat the cause of your worn teeth, we can explore cosmetic dental services to enhance their appearance. Ceramic-made dental crowns allow us to return the height and biting ability of severely worn down teeth. For minor chips and cracks or issues with discoloration, we can offer the placement of porcelain veneers. This treatment simply sits over the front of your teeth and requires minimal alteration to the tooth’s structure to place. This is a great fix for multiple esthetic problems at once.
Speak With Your Newport Beach, CA Dentist About Treating Teeth Grinding
We can help you stop your unconscious bruxism habit and provide cosmetic restoration for your smile. To find out more about our treatments for teeth grinding or other issues with your oral health, contact Dr. Hofkes at Balboa Dental Surgery at (949) 630-0143 to discuss care today.
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