Stress is a common issue that is plaguing many Americans. When this happens, some individuals can develop an unconscious habit of grinding their teeth. This tends to occur at night while you are deep asleep. If left untreated by new stress-management techniques, this could result in serious damage to your teeth and other oral health complications.
The unnatural strain applied to your teeth can actually impart so much force that it can chip and fracture tooth enamel. This tends to occur more often on the biting surfaces of back teeth. Sometimes this damage can be repaired by a standard filling. However, in an extreme situation, it could actually damage the internal structures of a tooth, requiring a root canal.
Over time, the chronic tension in the temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw can actually cause inflammation and muscle tension. This condition, commonly known as TMJ disorder, carries its own serious complications and can impair your quality of life.
To help prevent this from happening, your dentist, Dr. James Feldman, can fit you for a custom night guard. This mouthpiece is made from a durable, soft, plastic material. It cushions your teeth at night to prevent force on the biting surfaces of the tooth enamel. At the same time, it also allows a modest amount of slip between the upper and lower teeth to mitigate tension in the muscles and ligaments in your temporomandibular joints.
If you’ve noticed that you are grinding your teeth at night on a regular basis, you should consider calling Feldman Dentistry at 202-362-8412 to ask about being fitted for a custom night guard in Washington, DC.