What You Really Should Know About Bruxism

Many people realize what bruxism is, but not everyone realizes when they have it. The condition, which describes constantly grinding your teeth together, can often go unnoticed, especially for patients who grind their teeth at night. Because you might not notice it immediately, bruxism can lead to significant tooth wear and damage by the time you treat it. To help you avoid such complications, we explain a few things that you should know about bruxism and why you should seek treatment as soon as possible if you have it.

When Teeth-Grinding Means Bruxism

Everybody grinds their teeth sometimes, and not every instance can be described as bruxism. On the contrary, bruxism is an uncontrollable condition that causes you to grind your teeth constantly. This means that even if you force yourself to stop grinding your teeth when you catch yourself doing it, you might not notice it for hours. Or, you might do it while you sleep and are unconscious of the habit.

Because you might not catch bruxism on your own, your best chance at detecting it early is to stick to a regular schedule of dental exams and cleanings. During your visits, your dentist can thoroughly examine your teeth and compare them to previous X-rays to determine if there are any notable changes to your tooth structure.

Like any dental issue, treating bruxism means treating its underlying cause. Unlike other dental issues, however, bruxism can have a wide variety of contributing factors, which can differ from patient to patient. Therefore, treating bruxism may be as simple as wearing a custom-designed oral appliance while you sleep to correcting bite issues such as tooth misalignment.

Find Out More About Treating Bruxism
Grinding your teeth may not indicate bruxism, but if it does, then you should seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid serious damage to your teeth and bite function. To schedule a consultation, call Oxnard Dentistry in Oxnard, CA, today at (805) 604-9999. We also proudly serve patients from in and around Camarillo, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Moore Park, and all surrounding communities.