If you had a habit of clenching and grinding your natural teeth, it isn't likely that you will stop now that you have dentures. In fact, some people may have never experienced bruxism with their original teeth, but suddenly develop the issue after they have dentures. Regardless of when you started grinding, it is important to note that this action is extremely hard on the teeth.
When you grind your teeth, your muscles clamp down hard, and this action puts extra stress on your dentures. The end result could be an appliance that breaks or wears down faster than normal, shortening their life span and requiring replacement sets more frequently.
Even if you grind when your dentures are out at night, you could put excessive pressure onto the gums and jawbone, and this could ultimately lead to dentures that fit poorly. Ill-fitting dentures can cause mouth sores and other issues, which can further compound your dental health problems.
Treating bruxism with dentures can be difficult. Some denture systems are designed to help balance out the jaw system, as when dentures fit and function well, you may be less likely to clench and grind your teeth.
However, if sleep grinding is the issue, your dentist may recommend a night guard that will hold your jaws in a relaxed position. This can reduce the likelihood that you grind at night.
If you and your dentist try everything in order to minimize your grinding, but nothing seems to work, you may be in need of a stronger appliance. Reinforced dentures may be more expensive, but they will have improved resistance to breakage and wear, reducing the amount of damage that your bruxism causes.
If you wear dentures and are concerned about how your teeth clenching and grinding might be affecting your appliance, please call our office today.
Frank Sallustio, DDS, 13802 West Camino Del Sol, Sun City West, AZ, 85375-4486 - Associated Words: Prosthodontist Sun City West AZ,
dental implants Sun City West AZ,
dental implants Sun City West AZ,
(623) 738-2639, www.drsallustio.com, 8/22/2019
If you had a habit of clenching and grinding your natural teeth, it isn't likely that you will stop now that you have dentures. In fact, some people may have never experienced bruxism with their original teeth, but suddenly develop the issue after they have dentures. Regardless of when you started grinding, it is important to note that this action is extremely hard on the teeth.
