the role of dentists in diagnosing and treating bruxism

The Role of Dentists in Diagnosing and Treating Bruxism

If you grind your teeth, your general dentist will know about it. This habit involves constantly rubbing your teeth together, which can cause jaw pain and teeth problems. 

People who are constantly stressed out with hyperactivity problems often develop bruxism. Learn how your regular dentist can find and treat bruxism. Different kinds of nightguards are available to meet each patient’s needs, make them as comfortable as possible, and ease their bruxism symptoms

The Diagnosis

A regular checkup with the general dentist can show if the patient grinds their teeth at night. People who grind their teeth often don’t even know it. The dentist can tell this is going on by looking for damage to the teeth or worn enamel during a simple oral checkup. Tooth pain and loss can happen if you have bruxism near you.

Bruxism often finds out about it from close family or friends. Some people make loud noises while they sleep when they grind their teeth, which is too noisy for some people to sleep through. Kids and babies grind their teeth because they are not in the right place. Drinks and foods may also cause it. Most of the time, parents are the first to notice this and tell the general dentist about it.

The general dentist will ask the person if their teeth or mouth hurt. People with bruxism often wake up with a headache, earache, or painful mouth. The person may also have mouth pain because their teeth are sensitive or their gums are inflamed. Later, you might have trouble moving your jaw, a locked jaw, or TMD (temporomandibular disease).

The Treatment Options

What the general dentist does to treat bruxism will depend on why the person does it. People who have sleep bruxism can be protected with a mask. People who clench their jaws when they are stressed need to get help for their worries. Knowing that you bite on pencils and pens can also help you stop this habit.

When you wear a mouthguard or night guard, it blocks the space between your upper and lower teeth. It eases the stress by giving the jaw muscles a break. For less jaw and face pain, do this. It also keeps the enamel on your teeth from wearing away. People don’t need a prescription to get nightguards. A regular dentist can also make a night guard that fits your teeth perfectly.

Hard night guards are made of acrylic. They are for people who grind their teeth a lot or have TMD. They are more challenging than other night guards and keep teeth from moving around.

Biofeedback, relaxation techniques, and learning how to deal with stress are some other ways to treat bruxism. These can help the person calm down and stop grinding their teeth. Once bruxism is under control, the general dentist can treat teeth. Crown lengthening, crowns, and gum grafts can help the patient’s mouth feel healthy again.

Prevent Your Oral Health at Smile 101

Our dentist in Kissimmee is committed to providing our customers with the best dental care possible. Our main goal is to make sure you’re comfortable and answer any questions you may have about upcoming treatments. Our dental specialists provide many dental treatments to people who need them.

We have a team of highly skilled and caring professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that you and your family have a stress-free and relaxing experience at every visit. Our patients are treated like family, with their concerns and dignity coming first.

Contact us today for any information.