What Teeth Grinding Can Cause

October 11, 2022 5:46 pm | Published by Vista Ridge Family Dentistry

Tooth-grinding, which is also known as bruxism, has physical, genetic, and emotional causes. Many people grind their teeth in response to stress, but they may not even know they’re doing it. What can teeth grinding cause? Here are the main complications:

TMJ Disorders

Your temporomandibular joints are found on either side of your jaw. They let you open and close your mouth. Grinding your teeth puts pressure on these joints and can cause TMJ disorders. TMJ can also make you grind your teeth, so these two issues are often reinforcing.

Jaw & Face Pain

When you grind your teeth, you’re working your jaw and face muscles. After a while, those muscles get sore. The pain may be mild at first, but persistent teeth-grinding can lead to severe pain and tightness in your jaw and face.

Headaches

Clenching and grinding your teeth puts tension on your jaw, which can spread to the rest of your head. You may experience painful tension headaches. Do you often wake up with a headache? You may be grinding your teeth at night while you sleep.

Tooth Damage

Your teeth are strong but grinding wears down your enamel and even chip or crack your teeth and any restorations you have. This makes you more vulnerable to tooth decay. At its worst, the damage caused by grinding can lead to tooth loss! Restorative dentistry like fillings, dental crowns, and tooth replacements can help, but you’ll need to stop grinding your teeth for long-term protection.

Addressing Bruxism at Vista Ridge Family Dentistry in Cedar Park, Texas

It can be challenging to stop grinding your teeth, but with time and practice, many people can break the habit. If it’s happening while you sleep, nightguards can protect your teeth from the worst damage. For those with TMJ issues, we offer treatment at our office. If you have questions about teeth grinding or want to book an appointment, please contact us today!

Categorised in: Blog, Bruxism, Restorative Dentistry, TMJ/TMD

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