Effects of Bruxism: How Teeth Grinding Impacts Your Oral Health
October 25, 2023 9:00 amDo you ever wake up with a tense jaw or teeth that feel a bit sore? You could be grinding your teeth in your sleep, a condition also known as bruxism. This habit may seem relatively harmless, but bruxism can come with significant consequences for your oral health. Read more to learn how you can protect your smile from the effects of tooth grinding.
How to Know If You Grind Your Teeth
Identifying bruxism can sometimes be tricky since it typically happens while you sleep. Some tell-tale signs of bruxism include morning jaw pain and headaches. If you share a bed, your partner may be able to hear you clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth at night. Another sign is wear and tear on your teeth.
How Bruxism Can Harm Your Smile
The wear and tear caused by nighttime grinding can lead to a host of dental problems, such as enamel wear, increased sensitivity, and minor chips and cracks. Bruxism can also contribute to gum recession, exposed tooth roots, and severe decay. Furthermore, the repeated stress placed on your jaw joint can trigger temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a condition characterized by facial pain, headaches, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
How To Protect Your Teeth from Bruxism
The good news is that you don’t have to let nighttime clenching and grinding wreak havoc on your smile. Wearing a dental nightguard while you sleep will help protect your teeth. This custom-fitted plastic device prevents your teeth from grinding together and absorbs the excessive force generated by your jaw clenching. Managing stress through relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and other lifestyle changes can also help mitigate the effects of bruxism.
Dental Nightguards and TMD Therapy in Bentonville, AR
If you’re seeking relief from bruxism or TMD, schedule a consultation with our team at Main Street Dental. We offer dental nightguards as well as therapy to help treat TMD-related problems. Protect your smile from further damage and call us today!
Image from Authority Dental under CC 2.0
Categorised in: Bruxism
