Is Bruxism Slowly Ruining Your Perfect Smile?

Bruxism is a common oral health issue in which individuals grind and clench their teeth while they sleep. This behavior leads to serious enamel wear, inviting a wide range of oral health issues. Making matters worse, though, is that you could be suffering from bruxism without even knowing it. With that in mind, understanding the condition is key to safeguarding the strength and beauty of your smile.
Signs of Bruxism
Bruxism is sometimes difficult to spot initially. But as it advances, you’ll notice signs of your dental enamel wearing away, such as flat spots or even chips and cracks developing on your teeth.
As your enamel continues to wear down, it will provide less protection for the sensitive tissue within your teeth. You may experience increased sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods; in fact, that is likely to be one of the earliest indicators of weakened enamel.
The clenching and grinding that are linked to bruxism also place a lot of strain on your jaw, as well as the wide network of muscles that control it. Therefore, if you wake up with a headache or a sore or tight jaw, this could be due to bruxism.
Over time, you may develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which is an issue with the joint responsible for moving the jaw. You might notice chronic jaw pain, clicking or popping noises coming from your jaw as you speak or chew, or even seemingly unrelated pain in your neck or shoulders.
Impacts on Dental Health
Grinding your teeth has many long-term impacts on your dental health. Your body cannot rebuild worn-down enamel, leaving your teeth permanently more susceptible to decay, cracks, and chips. This increases your risk of serious complications and often requires significant treatment to resolve. In severe cases, damage caused by bruxism may lead to an infection requiring a root canal or even a tooth extraction, as well as subsequent tooth replacement.
Developing TMJ disorder due to bruxism may result in long-term chronic jaw pain, as mentioned previously, with difficulty biting and chewing being potential outcomes. Living with bruxism puts you at a higher risk of developing other complications related to TMJ, such as chronic headaches.
Grinding also impacts the way your bite sits together, causing potential orthodontic issues.
Preventive Measures
The best approach to bruxism is prevention. In many cases, using a night guard is the most straightforward option. These are custom oral appliances that you wear at night that provide a cushion between the upper and lower teeth, preventing damage caused by grinding and clenching.
Stress is a major factor in bruxism, so tackling stress in your life may also produce effective results. Consider trying out relaxation techniques for stress management, such as meditation or yoga. These are even more effective when done before bed.
Speaking of bedtime, you should also take a close look at your sleep hygiene. Ensuring a calm sleeping environment and avoiding stimulants like caffeine before bed will help greatly.
Above all else, though, regular dental checkups are essential when it comes to preventing the long-term impacts of bruxism. During each visit, your dentist will evaluate your smile and monitor your teeth for signs of grinding and clenching. This lets them put a stop to the issue before it leads to the need for more invasive treatment.
Treatment Options
If your dentist does discover that you suffer from bruxism, then treatment will largely depend on how far it has progressed. If severe damage has not yet set in, you may not need anything more than a custom-fitted night guard to prevent further damage due to tooth grinding and clenching.
However, dental adjustments are sometimes necessary to deal with grinding. Correcting your bite alignment will reduce the strain that contributes to grinding. It will also alleviate pressure on certain teeth, reducing the risk of further damage.
If you’ve suffered serious enamel wear or tooth fractures, restorative dentistry will most likely be necessary. Dental bonding, crowns, bridges, or implants can provide tooth restoration or replacement in varying situations. Your dentist will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs.
Treatment is also available to address underlying issues. If stress and other factors contribute to your bruxism, then your dentist may refer you to another professional for cognitive behavioral therapy. They may also recommend lifestyle changes to help address the stress in your life.
Don’t let bruxism impact your smile.
If you’re facing any symptoms of bruxism, taking steps to reduce its impact is essential to safeguard your oral health. The team at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo can evaluate your smile and determine if restorative dentistry or additional prevention is needed. Schedule an appointment today to protect your smile.