How much do you know about teeth grinding? Is it something that you know that you’re doing sometimes because it’s just what you do when you feel nervous, tense, or when you’re really giving something your undivided attention? Is it something that you recently found out that you’ve been doing, even though you have absolutely no memory of this habit? Regardless of how you’re experiencing it, our Lake Orion, MI team reminds you that it’s never good for your teeth. So, whether you’ve been diagnosed with bruxism disorder or you grind to channel your energy, we certainly have some suggestions to protect your oral health!
When You’re Doing It Voluntarily
When you know that you’re grinding your teeth, this isn’t usually considered bruxism disorder. When you grind on occasion and you’re doing it on purpose, it’s something you can easily control and stop. The reason we encourage you to think about this practice is because though it may seem harmless, it can actually include some side effects that mean bad news for your smile and oral health in the long run!
When You Don’t Realize It’s Happening
Our team explains that while teeth grinding every now and then may be something you can stop with a bit of willpower and self-reminders, this isn’t always the case. If you suffer from bruxism disorder, then you probably don’t realize it’s happening until we (or someone you’re close to) mention it. This is quite dangerous for your smile because it’s habitual, it happens a lot, and it’s a lot of friction for your teeth.
Potential Side Effects
What are the side effects of any type of teeth grinding? Well, remember that the back-and-forth motion of your teeth dragged across one another is going to lead to some amount of erosion, which can flatten teeth. It can also cause some sensitivity and lead to additional damage.
How To Address Bruxism
If you’re just grinding to channel energy, we encourage you to remind yourself to stop and to do something else (perhaps a stress ball will help!). If it’s bruxism disorder, then it’s time to visit our team for a checkup. We can offer treatment to protect your oral health!
See Us For The Help You Need With Bruxism
Keep in mind that treating bruxism disorder is very simple and comfortable! See us soon to discuss receiving a beneficial mouthguard as treatment. To schedule a visit for in Lake Orion, MI, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry today at 248-693-6213.
