Do you often experience headaches or tooth sensitivity? This may be a side effect of bruxism, which causes patients to chronically grind their teeth. You may not be aware that this is happening because it occurs while you sleep. Your team at Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, can help diagnose and treat this problem and protect your oral health.
Signs To Look Out For
It can be hard to recognize signs of bruxism on your own because this often happens while you are asleep. However, your dentist may be able to tell based on signs noticed during your biannual checkups. This is one reason it is important to see your dentist regularly. Not only can your dentist detect cavities early, but they can also find symptoms and signs of grinding that could go unnoticed by you. Your teeth may become severely worn down due to the motion of mashing them together. This may also cause them to be sensitive when eating, can increase your chances of cavities, and may cause headaches or pain around your face.
How This Relates To TMJ
Bruxism can be harmful to your oral health because of the effects it may have on your teeth. It can also worsen symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. TMJ causes you to place an excessive amount of pressure on your jaws. This may lead to headaches, popping sounds, and difficulty chewing on occasion. It can cause your misalignment to worsen and may be linked to bite problems. Patients with TMD are also frequently found to excessively grind their teeth as well. If these concerns are left untreated, it can lead to significant damage of your pearly whites and gums. Your dentist may be able to recognize side effects at your biannual visit and help treat the problem.
Receiving Your Custom Oral Appliance
After examining your smile and discussing other symptoms you may experience, your dentist can create a diagnosis of the problem. An oral appliance may help relieve symptoms of TMD and bruxism. This guard fits your mouth snuggly to protect your teeth from mashing against each other and allows your jaw to properly rest. You will wear this each night to help relieve your symptoms and protect your teeth. In addition to the oral appliance, you may need other restorations. If your teeth have become severely worn down or damaged by these conditions, treatments like dental crowns may be used to repair them. Crowns can help protect the tooth from other harm and avoid the need for removing a tooth.
Talk To Our Team Today
An oral appliance may be able to help relieve symptoms of bruxism and TMJ. To schedule an appointment with our team, call Gentle Smiles in Dallas, TX, today at 972-329-7645.
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