The Nightly Grind: How Bruxism Causes Dental Damage

The team at Contemporary Dental Arts has helped countless patients in and around Williston smile with renewed confidence. We offer the latest in restorative dentistry treatments to address serious dental wellness issues.

One common problem that patients face is bruxism, which you likely know better as teeth grinding. Let's take a moment to cover the basics.

WHAT IS TEETH GRINDING (BRUXISM)?

Teeth grinding (aka bruxism) is the gnashing, clenching, shifting, and clenching of the teeth that occurs when a person is asleep. The condition is often linked to issues with stress, general dental alignment, use of certain drugs or medications, and medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

Teeth grinding can lead to a number of serious issues that affect your dental health. Let's cover a few of the most common major issues.

TOOTH DAMAGE DUE TO TEETH GRINDING

If you grind your teeth, you are bound to suffer from serious issued with tooth damage. The grinding can lead to chips and cracks on the teeth, which may eventually result in major tooth injuries. These issues can make root canal infections much more likely.

DENTAL ATTRITION AND TEETH GRINDING

Chips and cracks aren't the only kinds of tooth damage a person may experience. There is also an issue known as dental attrition. Dental attrition is the gradual wear and tear on the teeth that occurs as a result of contact between teeth. This wear is exacerbated if a person suffers from teeth grinding.

GUM RECESSION DUE TO TEETH GRINDING

The stress placed on the teeth can also have a serious impact on the health of your gums. Over time, it's not uncommon for people to suffer from gum recession as a result of teeth grinding. This exposes more of the tooth roots, leaving teeth more susceptible to damage and decay.

JAW JOINT PROBLEMS CAUSED BY TEETH GRINDING

In addition to putting serious stress on the teeth and gums, the jaw joint experiences a lot of strain due to teeth grinding. Over time, this can lead to a problem with alignment and proper function of the jaw. This issue is known as a TMJ disorder (TMD), and it most well known for the telltale clicking, popping, and locking of the condition.

TREATING TEETH GRINDING ITSELF

There are many different options for treating teeth grinding, and the ideal treatment option depends on the causes of the condition. Most patients will be helped by getting a night guard. A night guard is a custom retainer worn during sleep that helps prevent direct contact between the teeth. The guard will reduce pressure and stress on various structures of the mouth.

In addition to the use of a night guard, it's common for patients to also undergo orthodontic treatment and use various stress management techniques as needed to get their bruxism under control. Combinations of treatments such as these are not uncommon.

TREATING DENTAL PROBLEMS LINKED TO TEETH GRINDING

When it comes to treating the dental problems linked to teeth grinding, there are a wide variety of restorative procedures to consider, including the use of dental restorations, gum augmentation techniques, and advanced therapies for TMJ disorders. These can all be discussed in greater detail during the consultation process.

CONTACT CONTEMPORARY DENTAL ARTS

For more information about teeth grinding and how it affects dental health and wellness, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The team at Contemporary Dental Arts looks forward to your visit and helping you smile with renewed confidence.