Teeth Grinders: How Do You Protect Your Future Dental Crowns?

If you grind your teeth at night and have chipped teeth and sore jaws, you may wonder if it's okay to get dental crowns in the future. Dental crowns not only improve your smile, but they can also cover teeth damaged by grinding, or bruxism. But you must protect your crowns from teeth grinding after placement; otherwise, they can crack or fracture. In addition, gum disease can endanger your crowns. Here are things you can do to protect your future dental crowns. 

Wear a Mouth Guard

When you grind your teeth, you wear down your natural crowns. Your teeth crowns should come together naturally when you close your mouth or chew food. Artificial dental crowns can help correct your bite and even out your crowns, but you must control your teeth grinding problem before and after you get crowns.

One of the things you can do is ask a dentist to make or prescribe a mouth guard for you. The guard cushions and separates your upper row of teeth from your bottom row of teeth. The apparatus keeps your teeth from touching when you grind them.

In addition, the guard eases tension in the muscles of your jaws. If you're many other teeth grinders, you clench your jaws together when you grind your teeth. Clenching not only affects the muscles in your jaws but also makes your head and face hurt. Your neck and shoulders might also experience pain. A mouth guard helps control these symptoms.

Keep Your Mouth Free of Bacteria

Keeping your mouth free of bacteria is essential before and after you get dental crowns. Teeth grinding can create stress on your gums over time. Bacteria can infect your gums and cause an inflammation. If inflammation spreads below the gumline, it can affect the structures that hold your natural teeth in place. Your natural teeth and the crowns covering them can loosen up.

To keep the bacteria in your mouth under control, drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water rinses your mouth and keeps it clean. Consuming watery fruits and vegetables may also keep your mouth moist if you can't tolerate water. 

Also, floss your teeth every time you brush. Floss not only removes bacteria and plaque from between your teeth crowns, but also freshens up your breath. Food can trap between your teeth and possibly lead to gum inflammation, so preventing this problem is critical.

If you have additional concerns or questions about teeth grinding and dental crown, contact a dentist at a clinic like BayView Dental Associates for more information.