Bruxism is a relatively unknown dental condition among adult dental patients. However, this chronic problem can have a huge impact on a patient’s oral health. Bruxism can be managed with proper professional and at-home care. Our Glendale dentists are here to help bruxism sufferers adopt treatment solutions that work for them, specifically.
Bruxism, to put it simply, refers to chronic dental grinding and clenching. People are more likely to exhibit signs of bruxism during the day when they are under considerable stress. However, many people grind or clench their teeth at night, when it is difficult to monitor.
When a patient grinds or clenches his teeth, the dental enamel of the touching teeth begins to wear down and weaken. Consequently, bruxism makes the patient more susceptible to suffering from cavities and dental fractures. The patient’s teeth may also change in appearance, becoming less luminous and more yellow, as the enamel thins.
Chronic dental grinding also puts enormous pressure on the patient’s temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Bruxism thus also contributes to jaw pain and joint deterioration. Bruxism and TMJ disorders are often closely linked.
Our dental team treats bruxism using simple-to-use oral appliances, which are worn at night. These mouthpieces help to bring the patient’s mouth into a comfortable resting position; they also serve as a buffer between teeth, so that the dental enamel is protected.
If your bruxism is connected to stress, our dental team may also recommend stress-reduction measures to help you relax your jaw joints.
If you think that you may be suffering from bruxism, it is imperative that you seek treatment in a timely manner. The longer this condition goes unaddressed, the greater the patient’s risk of dealing with long-term bruxism-related side effects.
To get started treating bruxism, please call our Glendale dentists to schedule a consultation!