Paying proper attention to your oral health means keeping up with brushing and flossing, as well as maintaining an appropriate diet. With that said, you should also pay attention by acknowledging when something feels wrong, and seeking treatment when you think you may have a problem. If you have issues with bruxism, meaning you tend to grind your teeth at night, you may notice that you wake up with dental pain and sensitivity, or that you have lingering discomfort in your face and jaw. It is important to respond to these signs of trouble, as continued teeth grinding can lead to serious dental damage! During an appointment at our Upton, MA dental office, your dentist can look for signs of bruxism, and provide you with a special appliance to help you protect your smile.
Bruxism Can Become A Serious Issue For Your Smile
If you continue to ignore the signs of nightly grinding, you can start to see unwelcome changes to the condition of your teeth! Wear and tear from the friction bruxism creates can cause teeth to look less healthy, and can even lead to enamel becoming chipped and cracked. The damage can grow serious enough to require restorative dental work! Letting the matter go untreated can also lead to continued pressure on your jaw, which can lead to painful TMJ dysfunction.
Wearing A Special Appliance To Keep Your Teeth Safe
Because bruxism tends to be a problem during rest, it can be difficult for you to simply make grinding stop on your own. At our practice, we can provide you with a special oral appliance to put in before bed. When in place, it can keep your teeth apart, and protect you from the effects of grinding and clenching. By providing relief, you can stop experiencing chronic discomfort. You can also feel relieved to have protection against potential dental trauma.
Discuss Treatment For Teeth That Become Damaged From Grinding
If you have already seen a change to the condition of your teeth because of grinding, we can evaluate your needs, and recommend a treatment. If the damage affects your oral health, it may be necessary to use dental crowns for support. Crowns provide functional support, but they can also help improve the look of damaged teeth. If your damage is only cosmetic, we can discuss improving your appearance through dental bonding, or with porcelain veneers.
Talk To Dr. Goguen About Your Teeth Grinding Problem!
At our Upton, MA dental practice, Dr. Goguen is ready to help you address teeth grinding, and the different problems that it can cause. This is one of many issues we are prepared to address at our practice. To find out more, or to make an appointment at our practice, please contact Upton Dental at 508-529-4591.