Do you Grind?
Chances are your Dentist is not asking you about your weekend
Tooth grinding or Bruxism, is often a secondary effect triggered from breathing difficulties such as sleep disordered breathing or Sleep Apnoea. Other effects may be present in the mouth such as bony enlargements in some areas known as bony tori.
In fact, most people are completely unaware that they grind. You can spot tooth grinders as their teeth will be flat, smaller and squarish in shape. In unmanaged cases, patients can wear away 80-90% of their original tooth structure. The earlier we can detect the problem, the better it is potentially avoiding costly treatment and even loss of teeth!
A hard acrylic splint can be made to stop further damage to your teeth.
A splint is also sometimes made after restorative treatment to protect your teeth and dental work.
