If you suspect you are grinding your teeth while you sleep, you may worry about its long-term effects on the look of your smile. Not only does this habit harm your appearance by wearing down the surface of your teeth, but the harm threatens your oral health as well. Although many people occasionally rub or bite their teeth, practicing the habit consistently causes damage that needs to be addressed. Left untreated, your bite can become out of alignment, and the loss of your enamel gives a yellow look.
Your Newport, CA, dentist understands the importance of treating this medical condition called bruxism. We can offer a reliable therapy for teeth grinding in the form of an oral guard. When you wear your oral guard before bed, you will sleep with each row of teeth separate from one another. This prevents erosion and can reduce stress within the muscles of your face and jaw. Enjoy feeling more refreshed when you awake!
How Bruxism Wears Away The Surface Of Your Teeth
As you age, it is normal for you to experience a certain level of wear and tear to the surface of your teeth, but the process is gradual throughout an entire lifetime. You can slow this process by keeping your enamel strong with regular trips to the dentist and using a soft toothbrush, but rapid wear of your teeth’s surface may have another cause. When you physically grind your teeth together at night, the constant friction peels away layers of your enamel. This makes the tooth more susceptible to decay and can throw off the alignment of your bite. Soreness in your face and jaw when you wake up can indicate you are clenching your teeth, so alert your dentist of this feeling as well. When we detect the symptoms of bruxism, we will provide treatment and discuss cosmetic options to restore the look of your bite!
Wearing An Oral Guard To Treat Nightly Grinding
Made from BPA-free materials, we can design a custom oral guard that protects your bite while you sleep. Night guards prevent your teeth from rubbing against one another and causing permanent damage to your bite. While it may take time to adjust to the habit of wearing your guard, you may receive desirable relief as they help relieve the stress of constant clenching upon the muscles of your face and jaw.
Talk To Your Newport Beach, CA, Dentist About Treating Teeth Grinding
Wearing an oral guard while you sleep can halt the damage of grinding your teeth and relieve the force of clenching your jaw muscles. To find out more about our treatments for bruxism 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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