Estimates suggest that between 5-20 percent of Americans suffer from chronic teeth grinding. While this disorder might appear like a non-issue on the surface, over time it can cause a number of issues for your oral health. As such, we wanted to spend some time discussing some of the ways you can prevent and avoid grinding your teeth.
At Reason To Smile Dental, we provide the Salt Lake City area with high-quality dental care. Whether you’re seeking family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, or our numerous restorative services due to chronic teeth grinding, Dr. Vernon and our experienced team provide quality service and care to each of our patients. Before calling our Salt Lake City office, learn more about how to avoid grinding your teeth!
Issues that Arise with Teeth Grinding
Those who chronically grind their teeth face a number of potential side-effects. First, the teeth might see abnormal wear. In the worst cases, chronic grinding can actually wear the teeth down to stumps. In these cases, restorative treatments are typically needed–like bridges, crowns, veneers, or dentures–to restore the teeth back to normal.
Another potential associated risk is TMJ. This disorder can create discomfort in your daily life with tasks like eating and talking. TMJ can even affect the appearance of your face. So, for those who chronically grind their teeth, it’s best to look into prevention options so you can avoid all these aforementioned issues.
How to Prevent Teeth Grinding
In many cases, lifestyle factors like stress and anxiety contribute to teeth grinding. In these situations, working to alleviate such lifestyle factors can in turn quell teeth grinding. Relaxation techniques can be helpful in these kinds of situations. Meeting with your dentist is a good first step if you’re experiencing signs of teeth grinding, as you can work together to find the source of the teeth grinding and create a prevention or treatment plan.
There are also preventative occlusal appliances that can be worn to prevent the side-effects of teeth grinding. These are personalized devices that fit like mouth guards over your teeth when you sleep at night. These devices can both prevent the wear of your teeth and also mitigate the potential for TMJ if you’re someone who grinds your teeth at night.
Join Reason To Smile, the Best Dentist in Salt Lake City!
If you might be experiencing the signs of teeth grinding, it’s important to schedule a consultation with your dentist or a maxillofacial surgeon to begin structuring a treatment plan.
If you’re interested in dental care with Reason To Smile, don’t hesitate to contact our Salt Lake City office today! You can call us at (801) 719-5447 to schedule a consultation. You can also contact us here!
