It goes without saying that dental prevention is essential to maintaining a lifelong grin. After all, there are countless factors that can influence your oral health, and not enough natural lines of defense to fend them all off. What’s more? Nontraditional concerns such as obstructive sleep apnea and chronic teeth-grinding can pose even more threats that you might not have been prepared to handle. In today’s blog, your Cedar Rapids, IA dentist takes an in-depth look at what exactly occurs when a person consistently grinds their teeth, and how our team can help.
Damage and Brittle Teeth
From the time that we were little, our parents and guardians have emphasized the importance of taking care of our smiles so that gum disease and tooth decay do not cause them harm. Though these phenomena are among the most common in the world, it is important to recognize that they are far from the only ones. As a matter of fact, consistent teeth-grinding can actually impact your teeth in a variety of ways.
You see, bruxism, also known as chronic teeth grinding, occurs when a person consciously or unconsciously clenches his or her structures together tightly and proceeds to move the lower mandible from side to side. Not only is this harmful to the integrity of your teeth, but it leads to an increased risk of developing an oral infection as your teeth become weaker and more brittle.
Additionally, the more brittle your structures become, the more likely you will be to experience chipping or cracking during regular everyday activities. To learn more about this process and why you should seek treatment for chronic teeth-grinding, contact our team today.
Developing TMJ Disorder
In addition to infection and breaking, another major concern you must worry about when enduring chronic teeth-grinding is the potential to develop TMJ disorder. This phenomenon occurs when the lower jaw becomes misaligned from one or both of the joints at which it hinges to the cranium. These joints are known as your temporomandibular joints or TMJs.
When a person experiences TMJ disorder, he or she may begin to notice an incessant clicking or popping in the jaw, as well as difficulty opening the mouth fully. What’s more? Without proper treatment, you can endure significant tissue damage. Reach out to our team today to learn more.
Knowing Your Options
Though TMJ disorder and bruxism are certainly not favorable conditions, they can be treated with the help of splint therapy and an oral appliance, respectively. When you meet with our team, we can customize your treatment to address your unique needs, thus helping you feel better in no time.
Learn More Today
To learn more about the need for bruxism treatment and prevention, contact Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA by calling 319-364-7108 to schedule your next appointment with our team today.
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