tips for adjusting to dentures

Grinding your teeth while you sleep is something you probably have no control over, but you can control how you handle this problem and the damage that is has caused. This condition is called bruxism and it can harm the teeth in many ways. If you currently have damage to your teeth from this, here are several things a dentist can do for you.

Offer Veneers or Crowns to Repair the Damaged Teeth

The main type of damage you will experience from grinding is shortening of the teeth. Each time your teeth rub together during grinding, you could potentially be removing part of your teeth. As this first begins, it will be the layer of enamel you will lose. After that, deeper parts of the teeth will wear away.

When enamel wears away, your teeth will experience more sensitivity and will be prone to cavities. As this occurs, it will also cause your teeth to become smaller.

The main solution for this problem is fixing teeth with veneers or crowns. Veneers are often used for front teeth, while crowns are better for molars. Veneers and crowns are both tooth coverings, and they are usually made of porcelain, or a similar material. When placed over teeth, they offer protection for the teeth, but that is not all. They also help improve the appearance of teeth. They can be created slightly larger than the teeth so they cause the teeth to be larger than what they currently are. Both veneers and crowns will last a very long time, too.

Create a Custom-Fit Mouthguard for You to Wear

The other thing your dentist will do is create a custom-fit mouthguard that you will need to wear every night while you are in bed sleeping. When you wear this, it protects your teeth and will protect your new crowns and veneers. It will prevent you from damaging your teeth from the grinding, simply because you will still grind your teeth at night. The difference is that the grinding will no longer damage your teeth due to the mouthguard being in place.

When you grind your teeth at night, the grinding will damage your teeth. If you already have damage on your teeth and pain in your jaw from this, visit a cosmetic dentist. A cosmetic dentist can fix your teeth and help you stop damaging your teeth any further by providing you with a mouthguard. Contact a dental clinic today to schedule a visit with a cosmetic dentist.