It goes without saying that your smile is constantly facing the influence of various bacteria, germs, infections, and more. On their own, these issues contribute to a large number of issues that can develop and spread. What’s more? They are far from the only concerns, however, and even the types of foods and beverages you consume influence your health. Additionally, traditionally uncommon issues such as TMJ disorder or sleep apnea can cause problems, and sometimes patients aren’t even aware there is an issue until it has already spread. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist takes a look at the lifelong impacts of grinding your teeth, as well as what treatment would look like.
Unconscious Clenching
When asked about the factors you must protect your smile from, most individuals are quick to list tooth decay, gum infection, and tooth loss as the primary concerns. Indeed, these are traditional oral health issues, and millions of people face variations of these concerns every year. In other words, cavities can be common if your at-home routine is less than ideal.
Even though the issues listed previously are among the most common in the world, that does not mean they are the only things to worry about when it comes to your oral health. As a matter of fact, many uncommon concerns can lead to functional and health complications you might not expect. One such phenomenon includes bruxism, also known as chronic teeth grinding.
Indeed, bruxism occurs when a person clenches his or her teeth together and moves the lower mandible from side to side. This process generates friction, leading to significant damage if it is left untreated. For more information about this process, give our team a call today.
Immediate Damage to Your Structures
In terms of short-term damage, you can expect a lot. For example, consistent teeth grinding causes your structures to become more susceptible to infection as enamel is worn away. What’s more? The constant clenching can cause your teeth to become strained and brittle, leaving way to a higher chance of cracking or chipping as well.
In order to prevent significant harm from impacting your health, our team recommends seeking bruxism treatment sooner as opposed to later, and our team is more than happy to help. Give our team a call today to learn more about this process.
Lifelong Impacts
In addition to the short-term issues that arise, the longer you wait to seek bruxism treatment, the more likely you are of developing a major jaw complication. Indeed, TMJ Disorder is a phenomenon that occurs when the lower jaw becomes misaligned from one or both of the temporomandibular joints at which it hinges to your cranium. This can cause significant tissues damage and pain.
Learn More Today
Though you may be impacted by a nontraditional dental concern, it is still necessary to have the issue treated. Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more today.
