Dentists can see the effects of Bruxism, or teeth grinding, almost instantly in a patient's mouth. Unfortunately, this condition can affect much more than just your teeth. Whether you have this habit consciously, or subconsciously, you want to talk to a dental professional to have it corrected. Otherwise, you can face unpleasant complications.
Tooth Damage
Many dental patients who have bruxism have damaged teeth as a result. The grinding of the top teeth directly onto the bottom can crack or chip a tooth, dislodge fillings, wear crowns, and many other problems that can lead to necessary and costly repairs. If you grind your teeth at night, this damage can be far worse because your jaws exhibit a pressure that is six times stronger at night than while you are awake.
Wearing Of The Enamel
Dentists commonly find patients who have worn away a large portion of the enamel on their teeth. This exposes the delicate dentin and nerve underneath making them extremely sensitive. When the patient puts anything hot, cold, or super sweet in their mouth, they experience a sharp shooting pain. For many people, even inhaling cold air into their mouth and across their teeth can cause this pain.
Loss Of Visual Appeal
When bruxism persists for long periods, dentists often find that the wearing-away of enamel has altered the appearance of the teeth. Most of the time, this wear is uneven because the pressure is rarely dispersed evenly. Some teeth will be far shorter than the rest. Others will be jagged, and appear a different shape from the rest. This requires restorative dental treatments such as veneers or bonding to hide the damage.
The Formation Of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Damage)
Bruxism not only damages your teeth, but the joint in your jaw as well. Known as the temporomandibular bone, this joint becomes stressed and it can actually harm the muscles that support it and allow it to open and close properly. In severe cases, it can also change the shape of the bones themselves. When the TMJ is damaged, oral care professionals notice their patients suffer from a clicking noise when they move their jaw, pain in and around the area, and may even experience 'lock jaw.'
Head And Ear Pain
The pressure a dental patient endures with bruxism can cause a lot of pain and discomfort overall. At first, it may only be in the teeth and gums. It may even travel into the jaw. As the condition worsens, however, this pain can quickly turn into severe headaches, ear aches, and neck pain. Dentists often hear of patients who went to a medical doctor to find the cause of these pains only to receive a diagnosis of teeth grinding.
San Jose dental patients and those throughout the country are experiencing this condition more frequently. While it may not seem serious at the start, it can have serious effects on the rest of your health if it isn't treated in time. If you have noticed symptoms of bruxism, be sure to talk to one of the dentists in your area in order to avoid this condition.
Tooth Damage
Many dental patients who have bruxism have damaged teeth as a result. The grinding of the top teeth directly onto the bottom can crack or chip a tooth, dislodge fillings, wear crowns, and many other problems that can lead to necessary and costly repairs. If you grind your teeth at night, this damage can be far worse because your jaws exhibit a pressure that is six times stronger at night than while you are awake.
Wearing Of The Enamel
Dentists commonly find patients who have worn away a large portion of the enamel on their teeth. This exposes the delicate dentin and nerve underneath making them extremely sensitive. When the patient puts anything hot, cold, or super sweet in their mouth, they experience a sharp shooting pain. For many people, even inhaling cold air into their mouth and across their teeth can cause this pain.
Loss Of Visual Appeal
When bruxism persists for long periods, dentists often find that the wearing-away of enamel has altered the appearance of the teeth. Most of the time, this wear is uneven because the pressure is rarely dispersed evenly. Some teeth will be far shorter than the rest. Others will be jagged, and appear a different shape from the rest. This requires restorative dental treatments such as veneers or bonding to hide the damage.
The Formation Of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Damage)
Bruxism not only damages your teeth, but the joint in your jaw as well. Known as the temporomandibular bone, this joint becomes stressed and it can actually harm the muscles that support it and allow it to open and close properly. In severe cases, it can also change the shape of the bones themselves. When the TMJ is damaged, oral care professionals notice their patients suffer from a clicking noise when they move their jaw, pain in and around the area, and may even experience 'lock jaw.'
Head And Ear Pain
The pressure a dental patient endures with bruxism can cause a lot of pain and discomfort overall. At first, it may only be in the teeth and gums. It may even travel into the jaw. As the condition worsens, however, this pain can quickly turn into severe headaches, ear aches, and neck pain. Dentists often hear of patients who went to a medical doctor to find the cause of these pains only to receive a diagnosis of teeth grinding.
San Jose dental patients and those throughout the country are experiencing this condition more frequently. While it may not seem serious at the start, it can have serious effects on the rest of your health if it isn't treated in time. If you have noticed symptoms of bruxism, be sure to talk to one of the dentists in your area in order to avoid this condition.
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