serving ballard since 1974

Take Care Of A Jaw Clenching Habit To Avoid Dental Damage

Because people often clench their jaw when they feel stressed, this behavior can feel common. While you might occasionally catch yourself clenching your teeth in a tense moment, you may put little though into this action, or the effects it might cause. What you should be aware of is that for some people, this can become a habitual issue. A person struggling with bruxism, or recurring teeth grinding, can be at risk for suffering chronic pain, and even dental damage. This behavior can be harder to control because a person with bruxism will often grind their teeth throughout the night, while they sleep. At our Seattle, WA dental practice, we can provide you with important protection against this problem.

How Do I Control My Jaw Clenching Habit When It Happens At Night?

If you catch yourself clenching your jaw, all you have to do is consciously relax, right? One unfortunate problem with bruxism is that it is often expressed through nightly teeth grinding. You might notice that something is wrong because you are frequently waking up with sore teeth, and pain in your face. If the problem is not addressed in time, you can wake up to more than just pain – you could awaken to discover that you have a chipped or cracked tooth!

Wearing Your Custom Appliance While You Sleep

Your dentist can equip you with a custom appliance that helps you protect yourself against nightly teeth grinding. This personalized oral appliance can keep your smile safe by making you unable to clench your teeth at night. When worn, it can also help you reduce stress on your jaw. As a result, you can enjoy relief from the recurring pains that you can feel as a consequence of bruxism.

Talk To Your Dentist About Repairing Dental Damage Caused By Bruxism

Hopefully, you can receive a custom oral appliance before the dental damage bruxism can cause affects you. If you have already experienced chipped or cracked teeth because of this problem, you can schedule restorative dental work. Leaving dental damage unaddressed can make you vulnerable to the problem growing worse, which can mean more of your healthy tooth structure can become damaged. Typically, a dental crown will be crafted to protect a vulnerable tooth. If you notice signs of dental wear and tear, our practice can also talk to you about undergoing cosmetic dental work to restore your appearance.

Ballard Neighborhood Dentist Can Protect You Against The Effects Of Jaw Clenching

An untreated issue with habitual jaw clenching, or bruxism, can take a serious toll on your smile, and your oral health! At Ballard Neighborhood Dentist, you can rely on quality treatment, so that your teeth are properly protected. We can also help you deal with any lasting damage that resulted from teeth grinding. If you want more information, or if you would like to make an appointment with us, you can reach our Seattle, WA dental practice by calling 206-789-2555.

Cosmetic, Restorative, and General Dentistry

It is our goal to provide comprehensive dental care for your whole family. Our wide range of services means that you can see us for all of your needs — without having to visit multiple practices to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.