Recently, dentists have noticed a significant rise in teeth-grinding and stress-related oral health problems, such as:
- Cracked teeth
- Tender jaws
- Headaches
Bruxism is the medical term that describes the unconscious habit of clenching or grinding the teeth while awake or asleep. Although mild bruxism may not warrant treatment, severe teeth grinding should be treated as soon as possible. Swift treatment may prevent further permanent tooth, mouth, and jaw damage.
At Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre, our team of dentists dedicate their time, knowledge, and skills to manage and improve all aspects of oral health. Schedule a consultation so that we can target and treat the source of your chronic teeth grinding.
Aside from potentially disrupting your sleep, frequent or severe bruxism can lead to an array of severe side effects that can destroy your teeth, gums, jaw, and overall wellness. Continue reading to discover four unexpected consequences of teeth grinding and how it may affect your health.
1. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
Temporomandibular joints are the pair of hinge joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. Precisely, TMJs are the joints that glide and pivot at the front of each ear. They control the mandible (the lower jaw) to help people eat, speak, and complete other tasks that require mouth movements.
TMJ disorders are prevalent among patients with bruxism due to overwork. Eventually, excessive grinding can influence the structure of the muscles and ligaments that form the jaw. This leads to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which can showcase as difficulty talking, chewing, or more.
2. Irreversible Tooth Damage
Unsurprisingly, tooth damage is a leading consequence of bruxism. Continual teeth grinding can wear down the enamel, which can:
- Increase the risk of decay
- Cause teeth to be more susceptible to sensitivity
- Decrease tooth height
Also, incessant stress and pressure can crack, chip, fracture, or even loosen teeth. If you have existing dental work, bruxism can destroy fillings, crowns, or bridges.
3. Gum Recession
Bruxism doesn’t just damage your teeth. Unfortunately, the stress from teeth grinding can also negatively affect your gums. Gradually, bruxism may lead to gum recession. Gum recession can result in:
- Shifted or loose teeth
- Gum pockets that trap bacteria
- Exposed tooth roots
- Dental sensitivity
4. Headaches and Facial Pain
Headaches are frequently linked with TMJ syndromes, which, as previously mentioned, is a sign of bruxism. Why does this happen? The temporomandibular joint shares a direct relationship with facial muscles.
Bruxism places consistent pressure on the jaw joints and muscles, which may result in inflammation and swelling. This inflammation can travel to the surrounding muscles in the face, head, ears, and neck (resulting in a secondary headache).
Contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre for All Your Family’s Oral Health Concerns
If you think that you or a loved one grind or clench your teeth excessively, contact Magic Smiles Dental and Implant Centre immediately. There are several treatment options for bruxism, such as prescribing oral appliances or orthodontics for bruxism. Furthermore, if you do not respond to mild or moderate treatment, your Magic Smiles dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon for more in-depth treatment.
Every scenario is one-of-a-kind, so schedule a consultation so we can start your journey to better oral health:
- Call (02) 6654-0650
- E-mail [email protected]
- Message us online
