If you are one of the millions of people who chronically grind their teeth, a condition clinically known as bruxism, you could be doing severe and irreparable damage to your teeth. At North Pier Dental Associates, Dr. William J. Couvelis offers a comprehensive range of dental procedures designed to treat both bruxism and the dental damage that it can cause. Unfortunately, many people who grind their teeth do so while they are sleeping and are therefore unaware of the damage they are doing.

That’s why it is so important to visit the dentist at least twice a year as recommended by the American Dental Association. Through routine oral exams, you can have issues such as bruxism, as well as the dental problems they cause, diagnosed in their earliest possible stages. If he is able to diagnose dental damage and teeth grinding at his Chicago, IL dental practice before they progress, Dr. Couvelis can often restore form, function, and health to the mouth as well as comfort to the jaw with conservative treatment methods.

You may be grinding your teeth at night if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the jaw, neck, face, or shoulders
• Pain that feels similar to an earache
• Dull headache in the temple region
• Fatigue when you are awake
• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Sore, tired, or tight jaw muscles

If one or more of these symptoms apply to you, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr. William J. Couvelis today.

Dental Damage Caused by Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding can cause or contribute to a number of serious dental problems, including:

Gum disease: Although you might think that teeth grinding would affect only the teeth, it can also contribute to the breakdown of the delicate periodontal tissues, which can result in gum disease.

Tooth fractures: Your teeth are strong enough to withstand the pressures of biting and chewing. They are not strong enough, however, to withstand the pressures of hours’ worth of grinding on a nightly basis over the course of years. Fractures will eventually start to form, eventually resulting in chips and cracks.

Enamel erosion: The same pressure that contributes to the breakdown of the gum tissues can also cause the breakdown of the protective enamel that coats the surfaces of the teeth.

Orthodontic issues: Teeth grinding can contribute to a faulty bite or even misalignment. In people who already have these problems, teeth grinding can cause them to become worse.
Damage to existing dental work: Even crowns, bridges, and dentures made from the finest materials will eventually fail if they are exposed to the pressures of nightly teeth grinding.

Learn More About Dental Damage and Teeth Grinding

If you would like to learn more about dental damage and teeth grinding, or if you wish to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. William J. Couvelis, we encourage you to request an appointment today. We would be happy to assist you.
 

Also Consider Reading...

More General Dentistry Blog Posts

Our General Dentistry Services

Meet Our Team