Nobody wants the discomfort of bruxism, or grinding teeth, to detract from their enjoyment of life. It disrupts your sleep. It also makes your jaw hurt and your teeth ache. Here’s some information about what it is, why it happens, what happens if you ignore it, and how we at Lovett Dental Vintage Park can help you overcome it.
Bruxism is a habit of grinding or gritting your teeth when you’re not aware of it. It happens during stressful times and mainly while you sleep. If you’ve ever noticed yourself gritting your teeth in frustration, you know it can cause pain. Normally, people stop teeth grinding as soon as they notice they’re doing it.
Many family dentists throw up their hands in frustration when they cannot get patients to stop this harmful practice. There’s a better way to get help. Bruxism treatment is effective and protects your teeth while you learn coping skills and create new habits.
At Lovett Dental Vintage Park, our specially trained staff looks for signs you are grinding your teeth. No one berates you or tries to shame you into stopping it. Instead, our staff uses a combination of mind and body techniques to help you avoid further damage to your teeth and jaws. Using a dental nightguard is a simple way to help those who grind or grit their teeth while asleep. We’re committed to making dental care a painless encounter so that Texans can live better lives with healthier teeth.
Do You Need Bruxism Treatments?
Factors including stress, anxiety, and fear manifest when you are the most vulnerable. Often, this occurs when you’re asleep. Any problems you encountered throughout the day potentially carry over into the night. Grinding your teeth exerts tremendous force on your jaw. Whether brushing off a demanding boss, fighting with your partner, or dealing with money woes, unresolved worries can cause additional problems at night.
Many people express surprise upon realizing they don’t grind their teeth only at night. Most people know they clench their jaw when responding to unreasonable demands at work. Others grit their teeth rather than make a rude reply to a snooty clerk.
Children are not immune to this unconscious response to their own stressful situations. With fears and anxieties just as valid as an adult’s issues, children are quite vulnerable to teeth grinding. Often, this is one of the few ways they can express daily frustrations.
Certain medications, health conditions, and lifestyle choices contribute to grinding or gritting your teeth. Tell Lovett Dental Vintage Park’s professional staff if your doctor started you on new medicine or if you have developed a new medical condition. Lifestyle choices also have an impact on grinding your teeth. If you use drugs, consume alcohol heavily, or are a heavy smoker, you run a greater risk of grinding your teeth.
How Bruxism Treatment Can Help
Clenching your jaw, gritting and grinding your teeth lead to many dental and physical problems. Bruxism can lead to issues like these:
- Pain and soreness in your face, neck, or jaw
- Fractured, chipped, or flattened teeth
- Exposing deeper tooth layers due to worn enamel
- Interrupted sleep
- Painful or sensitive teeth
- Tight jaw muscles that may even lock
- Earache-like pain and dull throbbing headaches at your temple
At Lovett Dental Vintage Park, we know that untreated bruxism can lead to root canal issues, broken and cracked teeth that require crowns or extractions, and many other problems.
Dental Services at Lovett Dental Vintage Park
Lovett Dental Vintage Park practices general dentistry and specialty work. Our specialists and surgeons help you in every possible way. Using a dental nightguard, our patients can get instant protection and relief.
If bruxism has left you with damaged teeth, we can help you correct the problem with solutions such as:
- Veneers
- Cosmetic dentistry
- General dentistry
- Implant-supported dentures
- Endodontics
These are just a fraction of the services we offer to treat your bruxism and any other dental needs you may have. Contact Lovett Dental Vintage Park today at 832-843-6776 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a dentist.
