What is the problem with grinding your teeth? When you do this frequently, you can exceed the standard wear and tear for teeth, and this can lead to problems with your oral health. Habitual teeth grinding, known as bruxism, can often occur during the night. You can wake up in pain because of how tightly and frequently your jaw was clenched while you slept. People who grind their teeth may suffer damage that needs to be addressed with cosmetic dental work. The damage can even be significant enough to call for restorative dental work.
What To Do About Habitual Teeth Grinding
If you suspect you have been grinding your teeth, you should inform your dentist. They can provide relief in the form of a customized mouth guard you can wear during the night. The guard stops your upper and lower rows of teeth from grinding against each other, which can put an end to jaw pain, and protect you from serious dental damage.
How Your Diet Can Hurt Your Enamel
Bruxism is not the only way you can harm your teeth. Your diet could also be creating problems. When your teeth are exposed to acidic items, you can lose important support against tooth decay. This is because the acids can soften your enamel. Chewing on hard substances can be a risk for dental damage as well.
Fixing Existing Dental Damage
If you already need your dentist’s help in correcting dental damage, schedule an appointment. They can determine if you need the additional support from a dental restoration, or if your problems can be fixed with a cosmetic dental treatment.