Believe it or not, experiencing some form of dental concern or another is actually more common than you think. After all, our grins face countless threats every day, with some issues being more common than others. Indeed, dental prevention is the name of the game when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile for life, and if that fails, dental restorations are an excellent backup. Still, it takes an understanding of what negatively impacts your smile for you to properly maintain your grin. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI dentist will take a look at the dangers of chronic bruxism, and how you can take steps to better care for your grin.
It Requires Treatment
When you think about it, nearly anything and everything can negatively influence your smile. From common concerns such as dental decay and infection to less-traditional dangers such as sleep apnea and bruxism, there is hardly anything out there that your smile is 100 percent safe from.
Taking a look at bruxism, in particular, we see that this phenomenon is caused by tightly clenching one’s teeth together as he or she moves the lower jaw or mandible from side to side. This process is also known as teeth-grinding and generates friction that damages your oral structures.
When a person realizes their situation is a chronic concern, the best course of action is always to seek treatment as soon as possible. In fact, the damage you endure will only worsen with time, and it could even lead to dangerous jaw dysfunction. To learn more about this process or speak to a member of our team, contact our office today.
Making Your Teeth Brittle
As a person continues to consciously or unconsciously grind their teeth, their structures become weaker and more brittle. This leads to increased chances of experiencing damage due to fragility such as chipping or cracking a tooth.
Additionally, worn-down teeth are weaker and more susceptible to bacterial infection. You see, if fractures begin to form, oral bacteria can easily enter the inner workings of your tooth and begin to cause infection and destruction. Contact our team today to learn more.
Increased Chances of Jaw Dysfunction
Arguably one of the bigger concerns that can arise from grinding your teeth is the development of TMJ disorder. This phenomenon occurs when your lower mandible becomes misaligned with the two temporomandibular joints at which it hinges to your cranium. The direct result is a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, difficulty opening the mouth, and potentially significant tissue damage. Fortunately, a custom bruxism appliance can help, and we encourage you to ask our team about the process.
Learn More Today
Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI by calling 248-693-6213 to learn more about the dangers of chronic teeth-grinding, and schedule your next visit with us today.
