Someone who suffers from bruxism will grind and clench their jaw throughout the night. This causes tension in the joints and muscles that can cause chronic pain, and it also leads to real risks for dental injury. The pressure from grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel, eventually leading to issues with teeth that become chipped or even cracked! If you let this problem go untreated, you may find yourself in need of urgent dental care because of an injury. At our Katy, TX dentist’s office, we are prepared to act quickly and treat a tooth that has been chipped or cracked because of bruxism. We can also provide you with relief from the problem in the form of a custom mouth guard that will keep your teeth apart while you are at rest.
A Teeth Grinding Problem Can Lead To Chipped And Cracked Teeth
You can apply significant force when you bite down. This allows you to bite and chew through tough foods, but it also means that you can do serious harm to your teeth if you grind them at night. Those who experience bruxism can be vulnerable to persistent pain because of TMJ disorder as well as damage to their enamel. If you keep ignoring the warning signs of bruxism, that damage can become serious enough to require restorative dental work, and may even necessitate a trip to the dentist’s office for emergency treatment!
What Can I Do If I Seriously Hurt A Tooth?
If you experience significant dental trauma because of teeth grinding, you can reach out to your dentist to schedule an emergency appointment. At this appointment, your injured tooth will be evaluated to see what kind of treatment is needed before the appropriate care is provided. For teeth that crack or chip, it may be necessary to perform root canal therapy to deal with internal trauma. This can be followed by the placement of a dental crown to keep it safe after treatment, and to restore your ability to bite and chew with the tooth.
Speak To Your Dentist About Stopping A Problem With Bruxism
If you want to avoid the consequences of bruxism, speak to your dentist about treatment. With a custom oral appliance, you can make sure that your teeth remain apart throughout the night. This protects you from dental damage, and it can reduce tension on your jaw joints and muscles that can lead to TMJ disorder.
Lathrop Dental Center Can Help You If You Damage Teeth Due To Bruxism
At our dental office in Katy, TX, patients who are affected by bruxism can count on us for support, even when grinding leads to the need for urgent treatment. If you have questions about this condition, or any other oral health concern, call Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX, at 832-437-3849.