Bruxism is the chronic and involuntary grinding of teeth.You may not notice if you are grinding your teeth. But you may notice if you wake up with headaches or a sore jaw nearly every day. You might find that during the day you are clenching your jaw more often than not. If you suffer from tooth sensitivity or if you keep getting cavities despite having good oral hygiene, you may be facing bruxism. These are just some of the signs that you could be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Bruxism can cause numerous problems for your oral health.
Tooth Damage and Decay
The constant friction of your teeth grinding up against each other can create tiny fractures in the surfaces of your teeth. Tiny fractures in your enamel leave your teeth vulnerable to breakage. They also can make your teeth sensitive from hot, cold, or sweet foods. Even the tiniest of fractures in your teeth can become home to harmful microscopic bacteria. Bacteria in these spots can avoid being removed during brushing and flossing. Hiding bacteria can give tooth decay a head start to causing cavities, increasing the likelihood that decay can escalate quickly into a toothache-causing problem.
TMJ Disorder
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge joint on either side of your jaw. Your jaw is one of the most complex joints in your entire body because it can move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. TMJ disorder can be caused by the excessive wear on your joint from the grinding of your teeth. The disorder can include soreness in the jaw, face, neck, and even shoulders. It can lead to jaw popping and lock jaw, which is the painful condition where your jaw locks into place. TMJ disorder can also be caused by a misalignment of your teeth, which interestingly enough, can actually cause teeth grinding.
Bruxism Can Put Your Smile at Risk of Damage, Decay, and More
Grinding your teeth can be problematic for your smile. To schedule a consultation, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.