Many patients develop a teeth grinding habit, or bruxism, without realizing it. Whether they clench their teeth when stressed or have a habit of grinding their teeth at night, all of that excessive pressure around the jaw will wear down the teeth. Bruxism is a common sleep disorder and can trigger a host of oral health problems, including a bite misalignment, crooked teeth and toothaches.
You may need treatment for bruxism in Springfield, MO and surrounding areas, if you experience any of the following:
Dr. Leo Tokarczyk may recommend making some lifestyle changes to control bruxism. For example, those who drink coffee can scale back to reduce stress on the nervous system. Jaw relaxation exercises before bed time can help some patients. Fitting you with a mouth guard is an effective solution for preventing long-term damage to the teeth. We will take impressions of the teeth to create a custom acrylic mouth guard that you will wear while sleeping. This minimizes the impact of a teeth grinding habit. However, a mouth guard does not necessarily resolve the problem of overusing the jaw muscles.
Many patients who have finally broken the teeth grinding habit are left with damaged or worn teeth and gums. Dr. Tokarczyk performs several restorative procedures and periodontal plastic surgery to rebuild the bone or gum tissue. We can restore your gum line with a gum graft or restore missing teeth with dental implants. You can look forward to a brand new smile that lasts for years to come with our advanced dental procedures.
