There are plenty of dental problems that can result in tooth damage and tooth loss. However, compared to other dental problems, gum disease and cavities are the most common and well-known oral health problems. But, have you heard about teeth grinding? Also known as Bruxism, it is a kind of a dental condition that can cause severe tooth damage.

At SmilePerfectors, for cosmetic and restorative dentistry, Dr. Jason and his team can check for symptoms of teeth grinding (Bruxism) and offer restorative and general dentistry treatment to repair dental damage if we find that you habitually grind and clench your teeth. To know more about chronic teeth grinding and its adverse effect on teeth and gums, please contact us at www.SmilePerfectors.com

What are the Causes of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?

A patient may consistently grind their teeth and clench his/her jaw due to one or the other reason. The most common reasons for bruxism are;

•  Stress or Anxiety : As per the study, stress and anxiety are the major cause of bruxism. This often affects patients on a subconscious level, causing in grinding and clenching during the sleep.

•  Medication: There are certain medicines, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) that leads to teeth grinding.

•  Alcohol and Caffeine Consumption: Excess of consumption of alcohol and caffeine also leads to bruxism.

•  Chain Smoking: Patients that smoke cigarettes are more likely to grind and clench their teeth.

•  Recreational Drugs: Certain recreational drugs, such as cocaine and ecstasy, can cause teeth grinding and clenching.

Adverse Effect of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) on Dental Health

People across the world are hardly aware about the dental damage done by bruxism. Here’s a small list of damage done by the condition of chronic teeth grinding, and they are;

It leads to Tooth Factures: During the teeth grinding, when an excess of pressure is applied on the teeth, there are chances that they may get cracked or fractured. If your tooth is fractured, then the chances of dental decay and root canal infection increases drastically. This is because, the cracks in the teeth leave the interior structures vulnerable to dental bacteria.

It leads to Tooth Erosion: As a result of habitual teeth grinding, tooth erosion takes place. As the enamel wears, the tooth may appear discolored or become more sensitive. Moreover, patients may wear down the biting surface of a tooth, raising the need for a dental restoration.

It leads to Gum Recession: Excess of pressure applied during the teeth grinding can lead to gum recession. As a result of which, a tooth becomes more vulnerable to root cavities and tooth sensitivity.

It can Damage Fillings and Crown: In addition to fracturing your tooth, teeth grinding can crack or wear down your dental restorations. This leads to the need for early replacement.

How to Prevent Bruxism?

It can be difficult to treat the underlying causes of bruxism, such as stress. At SmilePerfectors, a dental art center in Tysons Corner, we seek to prevent that dental damage that occurs as a result of bruxism by providing patients with a custom mouth guard. You can contact us for custom made Nightguards that can be worn at night to prevent you from clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep.

For the highest quality, perfect-fit Nightguards, residents in Tysons Corner and other locations should come visit us at SmilePerfectors http://smileperfectors.com.