One of the most beneficial aspects of visiting us once every six months for your dental checkup is that we take a close look at your oral health and ask a series of questions – the answers may help uncover problems difficult to diagnose on your own. Bruxism, for instance, affects many of our patients but you may have difficulty attributing the symptoms to this disorder, which is characterized primarily by teeth grinding. Wondering if bruxism treatment may improve your daily and long-term comfort? Learn more:
About Bruxism
Bruxism is a disorder that occurs when patients clench their teeth together or grind their teeth. The reason patients have trouble diagnosing their problem is because the grinding and clenching often happen without the patient’s knowledge. For instance, you may grind your teeth while you sleep. Or, you may clench or grind your teeth during the day without noticing a problem until additional symptoms appear.
About Those Symptoms
Diagnosing yourself may become easier if you have a little more knowledge about bruxism. The symptoms also help us determine whether you need bruxism treatment and may include the following:
- Someone mentions to you that they hear you grinding your teeth together – in most cases this will probably surprise you
- You have worn tooth surfaces
- You experience daily discomfort like headaches, a sore jaw, or extremely sensitive teeth
- Your teeth are beginning to fracture, break, or loosen
Bruxism Treatment
If you need bruxism treatment, you should rest easy – it is noninvasive and comfortable. We refer to treatment as “oral appliance therapy.” You will simply need to wear a custom-fitted mouth guard while you sleep at night. It will keep you from grinding or clenching by placing a cushioned buffer between your upper and lower teeth, so you can return to comfort.
ABOUT YOUR DOWNEY DENTISTS:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
