Cosmetic Dentistry And Bruxism: Help For Teeth Grinders
Posted on: 11 July 2017
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You wake up and your mouth feels like it's eaten a five-course meal – of gummy bears, taffy, and jawbreakers. Why does your face feel so sore? Even though it felt like you slept soundly, you may have spent the night grinding your teeth. Whether you grind your teeth at night or all day long, cosmetic dentistry can help you with bruxism (the medical term for grinding your teeth). What can cosmetic dental services do for you? Take a look at some of the treatment options that can help to heal your mouth.
Reduce Stress
Okay, so the dentist can't help you out with this one. But, the dental pro can help you to better understand all the causes of bruxism. One of the major causes is stress. If you're not handling stress in a healthy way, your anxiety can come out in different ways – including grinding your teeth. Of course, getting rid of stress is easier said than done. Your dentist can recommend ways to relax, such as meditation. That doesn't mean the dental office staff will teach you, though.
Use a Mouth Guard
A mouth guard won't stop the bruxism from happening. But, it can protect your teeth. Along with a sore and painful jaw, grinding your teeth can cause chipping, cracking, or breaking. A custom-fit mouth guard can protect your teeth, making it less likely that you'll injure them. Even though you can buy a mouth guard over the counter, a custom guard that a dentist fits to your mouth will help to make sure you get the most benefit from it. A well-fitting mouth guard isn't as likely to gap or move as you grind your teeth.
Consider Cosmetic Fixes
If you aren't able to get your bruxism under control, and you've skipped using a mouth guard, you may chip or break your teeth. Here's where a cosmetic dentist comes in. The dental pro has a few different options to fix your teeth, depending on the severity and placement of the chip, break, or crack. A cosmetic dentist can fix a small-sized chip with bonding. This means that the dentist uses a composite material that is bonded to the tooth to fix the chipped area. The material is tooth-colored, creating a natural look.
Veneers are another option that cosmetic dentists use. These are porcelain tooth-colored covers that fit over your teeth, correcting imperfections. You can have the dentist cover one tooth, several teeth, or all of them. Even though a veneer can make a worn-down tooth look better, the fix is only from the front. If you want a full cover for a worn or chipped tooth, you'll need a dental crown.
Cosmetic dentistry can help to fix the results of bruxism. If you grind your teeth, your dentist can provide solutions to try and procedures to make your smile full and healthy again. For more information, contact a professional in your area like those found at Alliance Family Dental.