You may not always be comfortable telling your dentist every detail about your dental health. For instance, you might embellish how much attention you put into brushing and flossing, despite knowing that you could do better. For some people, these details might also include seemingly harmless things like a tendency to grind your teeth often. If your teeth don’t hurt and aren’t damaged, you might not think the habit is worth mentioning. However, constant teeth-grinding is often a sign of bruxism, and without your dentist’s help, the problem can continue to grow worse until your teeth become significantly compromised.
If you can’t control it on your own
One of the most important signs that your teeth grinding is something you should tell your dentist about is the fact that you can’t control it. If you notice yourself grinding your teeth a lot more often than you normally do, then it may be more than just a habit that’s causing you to do it. If it’s bruxism, there may be one or more underlying conditions that are contributing to your teeth-grinding, and an inability to control it on your own means you’ll need your dentist’s help to protect your teeth.
If your teeth feel like it’s too much
Sometimes, people who have bruxism don’t realize how often they grind their teeth. Yet, their teeth can still start to feel as though they’re being put through too much. Your teeth might start to feel sensitive increasingly more often, or slightly sore (especially when you wake up in the morning). This could be a sign that the grinding action associated with your bruxism is starting to take a toll on your natural tooth structure. If it isn’t stopped soon, then this sensitivity could lead to more intense discomfort as your teeth begin to suffer more serious structural damage.
If you want to protect your teeth from damage
You might not be sure if your teeth-grinding habit means that you have bruxism, but it’s important to mention it to your dentist if you suspect it at all. Your dentist can thoroughly examine your teeth and oral health to determine if you have bruxism and what may be its underlying cause. Then, you can address the condition before it has a chance to cause damage to your healthy, natural tooth structure.
Speak with your dentist about teeth-grinding
If you catch yourself grinding your teeth often, then speak with your dentist about it as soon as possible to learn if it’s a problem. 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.
