You know that cavities can hurt your teeth. But a habit you may not even know you have can also cause dental damage. Many of us grind our teeth while we sleep. This can chip or crack your teeth. Luckily, teeth grinding treatment often involves no more than a custom-made night guard you wear while you sleep.
We’ll look for signs of grinding damage during your regular exams. But if you suspect you have this issue, call us today at 956-450-7375 to visit our Harlingen, TX office.
Since teeth grinding often occurs during the night, you may not even be aware you are doing it. Check out some of the common symptoms of this harmful habit, so you can get the help you need:
- Jaw Pain – If you wake up with a sore jaw, it’s a good indicator that you are grinding your teeth during sleep. The pressure you put on your jaw results in this pain. It often spreads to your neck and can cause headaches too. In extreme cases, it will affect your ability to open and close your mouth.
- Noises at Night – You can ask your bed partner if they’ve noticed any odd noises coming from your mouth during the night. If they hear squeaking or grinding sounds, you’ll know you need to seek help.
- Dental Appearance – Grinding changes how your teeth look. You may see flattened areas or dips on the tops of teeth. There may also be chips or cracks. It’s important to repair this kind of damage, as it can enable bacteria to get inside your teeth. If this happens, the pulp in your tooth’s interior can become infected.
One of the best ways to stop teeth grinding is a custom-made night guard. Wearing one will protect your teeth from the effects of grinding (also called bruxism). It also eases the pressure on your jaw, so it can heal. You’ll no longer have a sore jaw or related symptoms like headaches.
In some cases, a misaligned bite may cause or contribute to your teeth grinding problem. Depending on the severity of the issue, we can adjust your bite in several ways: with a teeth contouring treatment, dental crowns or other restorations, or orthodontics.Â
To see if you need teeth grinding treatment, call Drake Family Dentistry at 956-450-7375 to make an appointment today. You can also .