Teeth grinding is a habit that can affect people of all ages. It can severely damage the teeth and lead to jaw disorders and other issues. If you need help managing your teeth grinding, come see us at Family Dental Group. We are proud to serve patients from the Laguna Hills.
WHAT IS TEETH GRINDING?
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is defined by excessive jaw clenching or grinding of the teeth. This can be a conscious habit or something that is done while sleeping. In either case, it can cause a number of symptoms ranging from aching jaw muscles to damaged teeth. This can create implications in the alignment of the jaw and teeth and negatively impact any ongoing dental treatments.
HOW CAN I MANAGE MY TEETH GRINDING?
Since bruxism is often a habit or something done subconsciously, it can be difficult to stop once it is diagnosed. However, there are a number of options to keep teeth grinding under control in the interest of your oral health. At Family Dental Group, we recommend using dental mouth guards until a patient is able to refrain from grinding completely. Mouth guards prevent the teeth from making direct contact with one another, thereby eliminating any damage from occurring. This is especially helpful for patients who tend to grind their teeth while sleeping.
CAN I STOP TEETH GRINDING WITHOUT TREATMENT?
The best way to stop teeth grinding is by recognizing it as a problem and becoming mindful of when it occurs. If you notice yourself doing it when stressed or nervous, find a different way to channel your anxiety. Just like any bad habit, the habit of grinding teeth can be stopped with enough effort. If you have any questions regarding bruxism or the damage it may be causing to your teeth, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist.
If you find that frequent teeth grinding is damaging your teeth or causing any other symptoms, come visit us today at Family Dental Group. We can help you find a way to manage your bruxism and address any damage that you have suffered as a result. We welcome patients from Laguna Hills. Contact us today to make an appointment.
HELPFUL HINTS TO KEEP IN MIND
- Scaling and root planing does not usually cause much discomfort, but you might experience some soreness afterwards, since deeper regions under the gums have been cleaned.
- Your teeth themselves may become a bit more sensitive to temperature, and bleeding might occur for a little while after your procedure.
- Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen, work very well to alleviate discomfort, as do ice packs applied to the outside of the face around the treated area.
- Brushing and flossing will have to be done more gently to avoid aggravating any bruised or tender gum areas. We’ll show you the best methods for keeping your teeth clean during this time.
Scaling and root planing is a simple procedure that can work very well to stop gum disease. If you maintain good dental care after the procedure, the progression of your gum disease should stop, and your gums will heal and become firm and pink again in no time!
If you suffer from gum disease or any other oral infection, you may want to consider a scaling and root planing treatment to get your oral health back on track. At Family Dental Group, we offer this and other cleaning treatments to our patients in the Maryland area. We welcome those from Laguna Hills, and more. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.