There are several considerations that go into your dental treatment. From functional factors to structural ones, cosmetic needs and more, your overall oral health is the top priority, and your procedure typically follows suit. Indeed, there are many factors that pose a threat – whether significant or minor – to your smile, and sometimes it takes a nontraditional idea to help protect your grin. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist will take a look at the way that chronic teeth grinding impacts your smile, and how an oral appliance may offer a solution.

Excessive Clenching

Have you ever woken up to a sore jaw? How about the inability to fully open your mouth? If you answered yes to either of these two questions, it is possible you may grind your teeth at night. Bruxism occurs in a number of individuals, and often consists of clenching your structures together as your lower mandible moves from side-to-side, creating friction. This phenomenon can occur as a result of multiple influencers, including higher levels of stress or anxiety or other environmental factors.

Bruxism can be a complicated process, as it can cause a variety of complications. For example, the process of structures forcefully rubbing against one another can lead to wearing down of their surfaces. This, in turn, leads to increased chances of chipping, cracking, breakage, and of course, infection. If you suspect that you grind your oral structures, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team to learn about your options.

The Threat of TMJ Disorder

Another complication that can arise from chronic bruxism includes a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. Your lower jaw hinges to your cranium upon two points known as your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). When an individual grinds their teeth, the side-to-side movement can cause these joins and your mandible to become misaligned.

Those who endure the negative effects of TMJ disorder often experience a number of symptoms as well. These can include a popping or clicking in the jaw as it attempts to correct the issue, difficulty biting, chewing, or opening the mouth, and chronic pain. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.

How Our Team Can Help

TMj disorder and bruxism are not topics to be taken lightly, and can in fact cause a significant amount of damage to your jaw and mouth. We can help you avoid these complications through adequate care, including the use of a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth as you sleep. What’s more, we can help you acquire splint therapy if you endure TMJ disorder, which aids in guiding the jaw gradually back into place.

Schedule Your Visit

For more information about the ways our team can address your nighttime bruxism or to schedule an appointment with our team, contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 today.