Looking and feeling your best can do wonders for your self-esteem, and enjoying a bright and jubilant smile is an excellent way to get there. In fact, cosmetic dentistry can help address a host of different surface-level issues, and many people can benefit from it at least once in their adult lives. Still, it is important to recognize that cosmetic dentistry is only effective when you have a healthy foundation of care in place, and sometimes nontraditional dental concerns can complicate this process. In today’s blog, your Auburn Hills, MI dentist discusses the effects of chronic teeth grinding and why it is important to seek treatment sooner rather than later.
Unconscious Teeth Grinding
From a young age, we learn about the many factors that can negatively affect our oral health. From tooth decay to gum disease and virtually everything in between, there is not much that your smile is safe from. Still, these only represent a portion of the concerns you could face, and nontraditional issues such as bruxism and TMJ disorder can significantly complicate things.
Bruxism is the name given to chronic teeth grinding, and it occurs when a person unconsciously clenches his or her teeth together and moves the lower jaw from side to side. This process not only creates friction between your structures, but the tight clenching can lead to significant damage.
There are a few different causes behind bruxism, including a natural response at trying to regulate our breathing while asleep. Regardless of the cause, however, it is important to seek treatment as soon as you can for the sake of your oral health. To learn more about this process, give our team a call today.
Immediate Impacts and Effects
As you might imagine, grinding your teeth and moving your jaw in an unnatural way will certainly contribute to damage and complications. To begin, rubbing your teeth together will cause the surfaces of your teeth to wear down. Not only does this contribute to tension building and make your teeth more susceptible to breakage, but it also leads to an increased risk of enduring dental infection.
Arguably one of the biggest threats that arises from leaving your bruxism situation untreated is the potential to develop a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. Contact our team to learn more today.
It Can Get Worse
TMJ disorder occurs when the lower jaw becomes misaligned with one or both of your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The result is a noticeable and often painful popping or clicking sensation in the jaw. In order to avoid this issue and the effects of teeth grinding, ask our team about a custom oral appliance.
Schedule Your Visit Today
Contact Advanced Dental Concepts in Auburn Hills, MI by calling 248-852-1820 to learn more about the ways bruxism can harm your smile and schedule your next appointment with our team.
