Teeth Grinding: What Adult Dental Treatment Do You Need?
Posted on: 1 December 2020
Bruxism occurs in people who clench and grind their teeth together at night or during the day. The condition normally occurs in children, but many adults suffer from teeth grinding as well. If you suffer from teeth grinding and need help treating it, seek adult dental treatment today. Learn more about teeth grinding and the adult dental treatments available to you below.
What Should Adults Know About Bruxism?
Although bruxism can be mild and manageable in some people, the condition can be extremely problematic for others. Teeth grinding can be severe enough to crack, chip, and even break down tooth enamel.
Tooth enamel covers the surfaces of your teeth. When intact, enamel protects the nerves and blood vessels inside your teeth from bacteria and plaque. The damage caused by bruxism exposes the tissues inside your teeth to decay and infection. You can also suffer from jaw pain, headaches, and many other symptoms.
If you suffer from any of the various symptoms above, find an adult dental treatment soon.
What Adult Dental Treatments Do You Need?
An adult dentist will need to determine the cause of your bruxism before they treat it. Conditions, such as extreme stress and sleep apnea, can lead to bruxism. Bruxism can also affect adults who smoke, suffer from misaligned teeth, and sinus problems.
If you suffer from bruxism because of smoking, sinus infections, or stress, a dentist may recommend you see a regular doctor for treatment. They may design your dental treatment around your regular medical care. For example, if you grind your teeth because of frequent sinus headaches, you may receive medications from a regular doctor and a mouth guard from a dentist. A mouth guard will protect your tooth enamel at night while you recover from your sinus problems.
If you grind your teeth because of misaligned teeth, temporomandibular disorder, gum disease, or another dental-related condition, an adult dental provider may:
- realign your teeth with orthodontic braces
- stabilize your jaw with a dental guard or surgery
- treat your gum disease with periodic cleanings and antibiotics
You may also need to undergo restorative dental treatment to correct the issues in your mouth. Restorative treatments, such as posterior tooth fillings and crowns, can rebuild the worn-down surfaces of your tooth enamel. A dentist may go into further details about your treatments during your appointment.
Learn more about teeth grinding and adult dental treatments by contacting a dental care provider.
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