When you have bruxism (chronic teeth-grinding), you might not realize you have a problem. Grinding your teeth is normal, and for most people, it isn’t a significant concern to their long-term oral health. However, grinding your teeth habitually can lead to a host of serious oral health issues if left unaddressed. At our Greenville, TX, dental office, we can help you stop your teeth-grinding habit with customized treatment and protect your oral health from its consequences.

It may be even worse than you think

One of the reasons why patients with bruxism don’t always know they have it is because the grinding isn’t always obvious to them. Bruxism describes teeth-grinding that’s the result of an underlying issue, whether it’s a dental concern (such as a bite imbalance) or an excessive amount of stress. While it occurs frequently, it also occurs subconsciously, and for many patients, their grinding habit is more active at night, while they sleep. If you notice that you grind your teeth more often than usual, then the problem may actually be even more frequent than you realize.

Treating bruxism is easier than restoring teeth

When you allow yourself to grind your teeth continuously without addressing the problem, the damage that it can do your healthy, natural tooth structure can grow significant. Your bite exerts an enormous amount of pressure, and when unchecked, that pressure can be enough to wear down your tooth structure and lead to increasingly worse damage. The longer you wait to treat your bruxism, the more likely it will be that you’ll also need to repair one or more damaged teeth. However, addressing your teeth-grinding habit as early as possible can help keep your treatment simpler and more convenient.

You only have one option to stop for good

If you have bruxism, then the only way to put a stop to your teeth-grinding habit is to address the underlying condition that causes it. That takes a professional diagnosis and treatment from your dentist, which may include the use of a custom-designed oral appliance that you can wear while you sleep. For minor cases of bruxism, a custom appliance may be enough to prevent extensive tooth damage and the need for more extensive tooth restoration.

Learn how to treat your teeth-grinding habit

If you have a teeth-grinding habit, it may pose a bigger risk to your oral health than you realize at first. To learn how we can help you treat it, schedule a consultation by calling Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, today at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.