People who have a problem with bruxism, or chronic teeth-grinding, don’t always realize that it’s a problem at first. For example, most of them don’t realize just how often they grind their teeth together, and the times they do notice it, the action may not seem severe. However, having a bruxism problem means that you grind your teeth a lot more often than you realize. For many people, it occurs mostly at night, and the problems that can result from bruxism can become increasingly more detrimental to your immediate and long-term oral health.
They become significantly worn-down
Grinding your teeth together on occasion isn’t usually a problem because, when healthy, your teeth are highly resilient. In fact, the enamel that surrounds them is the strongest substance that your body produces. However, their strength can only withstand so much, and when you have bruxism, the intensity and frequency of your grinding can be more than your teeth can take. One of the first signs of this may be the wearing down of your teeth along their chewing surfaces, which will grow increasingly more severe the more you grind your teeth against each other.
They no longer meet each other evenly
When your teeth start to wear down, the damage may or may not be noticeable when you look at your teeth in the mirror. However, the change to the shapes of your teeth’s chewing surfaces can have noticeable impacts on how your teeth feel when you bite down. As they wear down, your teeth won’t meet each other squarely or evenly as they used to, which can cause your entire bite to feel uncomfortable. If this worsens, the change to your bite’s balance can be more significant, and can exacerbate the damage to your teeth.
They keep grinding until you put a stop to it
The biggest difference between bruxism and occasional teeth-grinding is that you can’t successfully stop a bruxism problem on your own. Even if you force yourself to stop grinding your teeth when you notice it, you’ll continue doing it long-term. Fortunately, many people can find a lasting solution to their bruxism condition with help from a custom-designed oral appliance. Designed to protect your teeth from grinding together while you sleep, a bruxism appliance can help you avoid severe tooth damage and preserve your healthy smile longer.
Learn how to prevent problems from bruxism
The longer you allow a bruxism problem to go on untreated, the more severe problems it can cause for your teeth and oral health. 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.
