A common dental problem, teeth grinding can often go unnoticed by patients until they come in for a dental examination or begin to experience the side effects, such as damaged teeth and jaw pain.
At Red Maple Dental in Asheville, Dr. Miller and Dr. Hoffert can diagnose and offer treatment for teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Dr. Miller has extensive training and experience treating TMJ disorders, which can often be the underlying cause of bruxism.
Patients who grind or clench their teeth may notice that they frequently awaken with headaches, ear or jaw pain or that their teeth appear to be flat on the top as surfaces are worn down. The uneven forces placed upon the jaw joints and teeth in a patient with a bite disorder can cause many dental problems which can become more complex the longer it goes untreated.
For many patients with bruxism, Dr. Miller may recommend the use of a custom fit mouth guard which will prevent teeth grinding and relax the jaw muscles. To address an imbalance and repair possible damage, Dr. Miller may recommend a restorative dental procedure or orthodontic treatment to repair and/or realign the teeth.
Treating bruxism is important to restore dental health and reduce the risk of damage to the teeth and gums. Untreated, bruxism can even lead to tooth loss.
Visiting Red Maple Dental in Asheville twice a year for preventive care visits gives Dr. Hoffert and Dr. Miller the opportunity to spot problems such as bruxism in the early stages, when conservative treatment can be most effective.
If you have’t been to the dentist in a while, contact our Asheville dentist office and schedule an appointment– we welcome patients who struggle with dental anxiety or who have complex dental problems that need to be diagnosed and treated to restore oral health. We look forward to seeing you!