The Dangers Of Grinding Your Teeth

It can be difficult to determine if you are one of the many people who suffer from Bruxism since the majority of teeth grinding occurs during sleep.  Occasional Bruxism may not require any treatment, but for those who grind their teeth on a regular basis or for the ten percent of people that grind their teeth to nothing it can be an ugly unconscious habit.  Read further to learn about the dangers of grinding your teeth.

It Can Cause Pain

Bruxism doesn't sound like the most pleasant thing to have and that would be because it isn't.  One of the most common signs of grinding your teeth is a headache, especially in the morning.  Grinding your teeth can also lead to muscle aches, ear aches, and/or tooth sensitivity.  When Bruxism gets to the point that it is causing you pain then it can become an unbearable habit to deal with, especially if you deal with it for a long period of time.  Sufferers of chronic pain are at a higher risk of developing disorders like depression and anxiety.  This can result in a slue of other problems. 

TMJs or temporomandibular joint disorders are another danger of Bruxism.  They can cause pain in the joint and/or muscles of the jaw as well as clicking and/or grating noises when your jaw is open and closed.  This isn't always followed with pain.  TMJ disorders can effect the way your chew, swallow, and talk.  This is because your jaw muscles, ligaments, and TMJ all work together in order to operate all those functions properly.  If you start noticing pain/tenderness in your jaw and/or limitations in movement then you should consult your dentist.

It Can Damage Your Teeth

For some Bruxism can result into a more painful situation.  For the 10% of people that severely grind their teeth  they will be looking at a very painful and possibly expensive treatment. Some people grind their teeth down so much that they end up having to be surgically removed and dentures may be needed.  They may also fracture their teeth, which can lead to Cracked Tooth Syndrome.  This is when you have a small fracture on your tooth that can be difficult to catch on x-ray.  These types of fractures can also make it very difficult for you to know which tooth is actually bothering you.  This makes it one of the most complicated dental conditions to diagnose. 

Bruxism can occur while you are awake or sleep and it is often done subconsciously, which makes it hard to detect until you start noticing signs of it.  Tooth pain, jaw pain, and headaches when you first wake up are a few of the signs of Bruxism.  If you notice them then consult your dentist or orthodontist before the situation gets worse.


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