What is Bruxism and How is it Treated?

If you’ve ever woken up with a weird sensation in your mouth and mild pain in your teeth, it may be because you’ve been grinding your teeth in your sleep.

You’ve probably heard a sibling or friend joke about your little problem. Except, it’s not a little problem, it’s a major one.

You may brush it off as a nightmare or an intense dream but the truth is, the longer you ignore the problem, the drastic the effects it will have on your teeth.

While bruxism goes away as you age, there are exceptions. Adults who struggle with bruxism face problems with vulnerable teeth that are exposed to all sorts of bacteria and infections. This is because grinding leads to destruction of the enamel. The enamel is responsible for protecting the roots of your teeth and gums. While it is the hardest substance in your body and is known to be stronger than your bones, it does not mean it’s not vulnerable.

Once the enamel scrapes away, your teeth are exposed to plaque. Accumulation of plaque leads to gingivitis—a mild form of gum disease. But if gingivitis goes untreated, it can evolve into sever gum disease, also known as periodontitis.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for bruxism. Often times it is left untreated or ignored because many believe it isn’t a serious disorder. In addition to this, many individuals fear addressing the problem and seeking help because the problem is embarrassing and can affect their social lives.

However, despite being a sleep disorder, bruxism is treated with proper dental care. There are two ways to approach the problem:

Mouth Guards and Splints: Mouth guards and splints are specifically designed to keep teeth separated when the individual goes to sleep. They are either constructed of soft compounds or hard acrylic to ensure comfort and durability.

Dental Correction: This option is only for those have grinded their teeth and made them severely sensitive. This surgery is performed by a certified dentist who examines your teeth carefully and corrects the chewing surfaces of your teeth surgically.

Besides this, one of the most important factors to remember is that bruxism is also caused by high levels of stress and anxiety. Your dentist may recommend you to make a few lifestyle changes to help you relax and eliminate stress from your life.

At Alexandria Art of Dentistry, we specialize in all areas of dental care. We ensure that patients are safe and comfortable during procedures. We use state-of-the-art technology to make sure that we provide our patients with reliable and affordable services.

If you are looking for a dentist in Alexandria, schedule an appointment with us today.