A clenched jaw may be a familiar response to stress, but if it becomes a habit for you, it can be a real problem. People with bruxism will grind their teeth out of habit, and can do so frequently during sleep. The force being placed on your teeth can build up, and you can experience real issues with your oral health because of this. Dental damage is common, and can be serious enough to call for restorative dental treatments to fix problems. Milder harm can still require cosmetic care. You also face the risk of developing jaw problems, often referred to as TMJ dysfunction. Your dentist can help with bruxism, and help you address TMJ problems.

See Your Dentist If You Need Help Addressing Bruxism

You may become aware of bruxism because you wake up with soreness in your teeth, or your jaw. If you are concerned about this habit, talk to your dentist. They can supply you with a special mouth guard that allows you to sleep through the night without grinding your teeth. They can also provide a helpful oral appliance for TMJ dysfunction.

Dealing With The Consequences Of Teeth Grinding

The effects of bruxism can cause problems that persist even after you have received help to stop grinding your teeth. If the problem was allowed to go on for long enough, you may have developed TMJ dysfunction. Your dentist can help provide relief. If your habit of clenching your jaw has led to visible dental damage, you can undergo cosmetic dental work to hide that harm. In more serious cases, you could require restorative dental work.

Have You Developed A Habit Of Grinding Your Teeth? Let Your Dentist Know!

A habit of teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can lead to jaw problems, dental damage, and an overall negative oral health experience. Your Gary, IN dentist, Dr. Cain, can help by tending to this issue, and protecting your smile from bruxism. If you need help repairing existing damage, our team can help with that, too. You can reach Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN today by calling 219-938-2637 to schedule your appointment, or you can email our office at info@healthysmilesnwi.com.