Jaw Surgery for the Serious Grinder
You should never ignore teeth grinding that is happening to you or even your kid. Severe grinding is likely to cause tooth loss, cracked teeth, or loose teeth. It can also result in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), hence contributing to jaw pain. Continual grinding wears down the teeth’ enamel. Eventually, it can result in the exposure of the teeth’s dentin layer, meaning that the tooth is more prone to decay and damage. Teeth grinding is as common in children as it is in adults, though most kids will outgrow it. Despite the impact grinding can bring on your oral health and functionality, the good news is that you can protect the teeth with a mouthguard. If there is severe damage, corrective treatment may be required.
Signs of Grinding
A majority of people can detect that their partners are grinding since they can hear them loudly grinding while asleep. However, even when you don’t hear it, other signs can signal that someone in the family is a grinder. If he or she complains of pain while chewing, tooth pain, headaches in the morning, tooth sensitivity, earaches, or facial and jaw pain, you need to get them investigated for teeth grinding. A dentist can even further detect wear on the grinder’s teeth at the dental office.
Mouthguards or Surgery for Grinders
Bruxism or teeth grinding may disappear on its own, especially in kids as they grow. But if it turns into a problem, it puts the oral health of the kid at risk. You can talk to a dentist to find out solutions to the problem. The dentist can prescribe a mouth guard if grinding is harming the teeth. However, you should realize that a mouthguard doesn’t cure the disorder, it only helps prevent damage and protect the teeth. As an adult who grinds, you can also use a mouthguard.
If stress is a culprit for grinding, ensure you relax before bed. Do things that help relax your body before bed such as warm, gentle stretching, or playing relaxing music. If restorative treatments such as mouthguards don’t work, you may want to see an oral surgeon to receive corrective treatment. Book an appointment at our Oral & Maxillofacial office to allow our surgery specialists to examine your jaw and teeth and perform jaw surgery to correct the damages.