Bruxism is the clinical term for chronically grinding your teeth. It often happens while you are sleeping, but you may notice signs that you are doing it while you are awake. Grinding your teeth can lead to several potential dangers for your smile’s health. Bruxism can lead to chronic headaches, tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, damage to teeth, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and more. If you notice signs that you may suffer from bruxism, it is important to talk to your dentist. Your dentist can help create a custom oral appliance to help lessen the blows to your smile caused by the chronic teeth grinding.
Signs Of Bruxism
Consistently waking up with a headache, a sore jaw, or sore teeth can be signs of bruxism. If your partner or family member can hear you grinding your teeth at night, that could be an indicator. You may notice yourself unconsciously clenching your teeth together while you are a awake, which could mean you are also doing it while you are asleep. If you wake up with sore cheeks either from the inside from biting them or on the outside from overworking, these could both be the results of grinding your teeth. Increased tooth sensitivity, damage, or an increase in cavities could all be signs of bruxism.
Damage, Decay, Sensitivity
Grinding your teeth is literally your upper and lower ridges of teeth grinding together. This causes increased friction and overwear that can lead to tiny fractures in the surfaces of your teeth. These tiny fractures are what can make your teeth have an increased sensitivity. Tiny fractures can leave your teeth constantly on the precipice of breaking. Vulnerable teeth can damage more easily. Tiny fractures caused by bruxism also invite bacteria into the tooth’s surface to attack from a deeper level. It gives tooth decay a headstart on destroying your teeth.
TMJ Disorder
The overwear caused by the grinding of your teeth can overwork your jaw. The joint of your jaw known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can begin to face problems. This overuse of the jaw can lead to TMJ Disorder, which can lead to pain in the jaw, face, cheeks, shoulder, neck, popping of the jaw, and painful lockjaw.
Is bruxism a problem for your smile?
Talk to Dr. Carmona if you notice signs of bruxism. To schedule a consultation with Austin Prosthodontics in Austin, TX, call 512-250-9444. We also proudly welcome patients from Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Leander, and all surrounding Texas communities.
