Ways Bruxism Harms Your Smile

Close-up Of A Man Having Tooth ProblemGetting quality sleep for an appropriate amount of time is necessary for a variety of health reasons. Unfortunately, ensuring a good night’s rest is not as straightforward as you might think. You see, personal or social stressors, heightened levels of anxiety, and even unexpected sleep disorders can disturb the quality of your sleep, leading to other major issues over time if treatment is not sought. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist takes a look at the way unchecked teeth grinding can harm your oral structures and smile’s appearance.

Understanding Sleep Issues

Whether you are aware of it or not, sleep issues affect millions of people every year. They can vary in terms of type and severity, but one thing remains true overall: the situation is guaranteed to only get worse. Not only does this mean you should seek treatment sooner rather than later, but that you should be mindful about any incidents or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms.

Although it can be difficult to recognize the signs and symptoms of a sleep issue initially, our team can help. One common symptom of a sleep issue includes snoring. Though many people know someone that snores, this is actually a common indicator that there may be issues with your breathing while you slumber.

Another indicator of a sleep disorder may include awaking with a sore jaw or difficulty opening the mouth without pain or resistance. In cases such as these, your issues can progress rather rapidly, and before you know it, you are facing the negative effects of a major complication. Fortunately, our team is prepared to help. For more information about this process, give our team a call today.

Wearing Down Structures

When a person experiences bruxism, what is happening is that he or she clenches his or her teeth tightly and then proceeds to move the lower jaw from side to side when slumbering. This causes friction between the surfaces of the top and bottom teeth. As you can imagine, these structures will become worn over time if bruxism persists. Not only does this lead to tooth sensitivity, but brittle structure and more likely chance of breaking a tooth. Contact our team today to learn more about this process.

Increased Chances of Infection

In addition to worn teeth, chronic teeth grinding can lead to a heightened chance of enduring a notable dental infection, such as tooth decay and gum disease. You see, the weaker your teeth become, the more susceptible they become to infection and other major concerns that can complicate your oral health. Fortunately, a custom oral appliance can help.

Learn More Today

Contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to schedule your next appointment with our team and learn about the ways a custom oral appliance can help protect your structures from teeth grinding.