So you have a tendency to grind your teeth at night. While this problem can cause you to start most mornings with pain in your face and jaw, you may feel that it is only an inconvenience, and not something you really have to worry about. What you should know is that without treatment, this is an issue that can lead to alarming consequences! If too much time passes without treatment, your teeth can start to look worn down from frequent grinding. You can also suffer chips and cracks in your enamel that require restorative dental work! At our Moreno Valley, CA dentist’s office, patients who are affected by this problem, known as bruxism, can receive support before they have to worry about permanent dental damage or painful issues with TMJ disorder.

1. Bruxism Can Make Your Teeth Look Older And Less Healthy

Even when patients decide to do something about bruxism before they need restorative dental work can wind up with teeth that look older, less healthy, and flattened or misshapen. If this happens, it can cause a significant blow to their confidence. If you are concerned by the way you look, you and your dentist can discuss the benefits of cosmetic dentistry for restoring your smile and making it look younger and healthier.

2. Clenching And Grinding Can Result In Chipped Or Cracked Enamel

A typical person can bite down with considerable force. When you exert this kind of pressure while grinding or clenching your teeth, you can do real damage to your enamel. Eventually, this wear and tear will lead to problems with chips and cracks. These can do more than just hurt the way you look. Too much damage can make it necessary to restore teeth with dental crowns. Fortunately, our practice can provide dental crowns that look like healthy enamel, so this work can improve your appearance as well as your oral health.

3. Problems With Bruxism Can Cause Issues With TMJ Disorder

Bruxism and TMJ disorder are frequently linked. What makes their relationship particularly frustrating is that either one can lead to the other one. If you continue to grind your teeth at night, you can start to have problems with pain and limited motion when you try to move your jaw during the day. The discomfort you experience can also lead to problems with headaches that bring down your quality of life. Just as you should talk to your dentist about bruxism before you start to feel the effects of TMJ disorder, remember that TMJ problems can lead to bruxism if you do not address them!

Talk To Your Moreno Valley, CA Dentist About Bruxism

At our dentist’s office in Moreno Valley, CA, patients who are experiencing problems with bruxism can meet with their dentist to discuss treatment, as well as work to restore teeth that are already damaged. To find out more about our services, or to reach out to another of our offices that is closer to you, we can be contacted at the following:

Dental Associates of Moreno Valley in Moreno Valley, CA at (951) 697-6800.

Riverside Dental Group at Magnolia in Riverside, CA at (951) 689-5031.

Riverside Dental Group at Woodcrest in Riverside, CA at (951) 776-9001.

Oasis Family Dental in Temecula, CA at (951) 695-2290.

Dental Associates of Riverside in Riverside, CA at (951) 369-1001.

Dental Associates of Corona in Corona, CA at (951) 273-9580.