When many people are diagnosed with bruxism, they may be surprised to learn that the teeth-grinding habit they rarely think of is actually one of the greatest threats to their smiles. That underlies one of the most significant problems with treating bruxism; the fact that many people don’t realize they have a problem to worry about in the first place. Another significant issue is the fact that bruxism can occur for a wide variety of possible reasons. Therefore, designing treatment to help you stop grinding your teeth and preserve your healthy, natural smile is a highly personalized process.
Your teeth aren’t aligned properly
One of the more common factors in bruxism, or constant teeth-grinding, is a misalignment of your upper and lower teeth. This can cause a discrepancy when your jaw tries to rest that can force it to become overactive, shifting uncomfortably because it can’t settle. This can cause your teeth to grind against each other forcibly, along with the many other troubles that tooth misalignment can expose your oral health to. If necessary, treating your bruxism might require straightening your crooked teeth with appropriate treatment.
Your jaw isn’t working correctly
Tooth misalignment can also be one of many potential factors in the development of TMJ disorder, or a jaw dysfunction. This type of dysfunction can make it more likely that your teeth will constantly grind against each other, especially at night when you’re unable to stop yourself. If your jaw isn’t working properly, it can cause your bruxism to grow even worse. Or, it may be the underlying cause of it, depending on your specific oral health concerns. Treating your bruxism may also require treating your TMJ disorder. Fortunately, this can often be achieved with a custom-designed oral appliance.
You have a number of different reasons
The unique nature of bruxism and TMJ disorder, as well as bruxism’s many other potential underlying causes, means there’s no single consistent cause of bruxism to worry about. In many cases, it’s a combination of different factors, some of which may not seem directly related. To ensure optimal treatment and your relief from the pain and discomfort of bruxism, we’ll perform a comprehensive exam to diagnose your specific underlying causes and address them as conservatively as possible.
Treat your bruxism with a custom appliance
If you have bruxism, we can help you find out why, and protect your smile with a custom-designed appliance. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
