Taking care of your oral health is a lifelong process involving many moving parts. For instance, restorative dentistry helps remove dangerous infection and restore your natural structures, cosmetic dentistry enhances your grin, and prevention makes sure your teeth are healthy and strong. Indeed, dentistry covers a large area, including concerns that may not seem as common such as sleep apnea and TMJ disorder. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI dentist explores the dangers of incessant teeth-grinding, and how your smile can benefit from a bruxism appliance.
The Dangers of Teeth-Grinding
Awaking with a tired or sore jaw once in a blue moon can easily be attributed to sleeping in an odd position. When this concern becomes frequent, however, it may be time to schedule your dental appointment regarding your bruxism concern. Bruxism, also known as chronic teeth-grinding, is the process of clenching your teeth tightly and moving your lower mandible from side-to-side, generating friction.
As your chronic teeth-grinding continues without treatment, you face the risk of developing significant oral health complications. For instance, as the surfaces of your teeth rub together constantly, they will begin to wear down. This leads to not only an increased chance of developing an infection or dental decay, but also experiencing higher possibilities of chipping, cracking, and breaking.
Indeed, chronic teeth-grinding may seem like a minor inconvenience at first, but as it continues, your health will continue to trend downward. For more information about this process and how our team can help, contact our office today.
Complications from Jaw Dysfunction
One of the biggest concerns that arise from chronic bruxism includes the development of a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. This process occurs when the lower mandible becomes misaligned with one or both of the two temporomandibular joints (TMJ’s) at which it hinges to your cranium.
People who develop TMJ disorder often experience a painful popping or clicking in the jaw as the mandible attempts to correct the misalignment. Without proper care, a person can endure great pain, difficulty opening the mouth or eating, and even significant tissue damage. To learn more about this process and what to look for, reach out to us today.
Seeking Treatment
When handling your oral health concern, acting sooner rather than later will result in higher chances of successful treatment. This includes coming in for your visit before your bruxism leads to TMJ disorder so that we can create a custom bruxism appliance for you. What’s more? This appliance can protect your teeth while you slumber and open the airway to ensure you receive better quality sleep.
Learn More Today
Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI by calling 248-693-6213 to learn more or schedule your next appointment with our team today.
