Many people consider their teeth as their best accessory. It goes with any outfit and will never go out of style. As a result, it boosts our confidence. But this is not the only reason why you should immediately consult a dentist at the onset of any dental problem.

You must do so to prevent further damage. The government even documented that in the past, tooth problems were one of the leading causes of death. To be safe, you should consult your dentist right away. But does this hold true for teeth grinding?

Bruxism is the medical term for the clenching, grinding or gnashing of teething. If you think that this irritating action is not worth a visit to your dentist, you should continue reading this article.

An Overview

Before we discuss why bruxism (unless it is mild teeth grinding) warrants a visit to your dentist, let us understand this medical problem. It occurs while you are awake or asleep. You might not even realize that while you clench your jaw, you may already be grinding your teeth. 

Sometimes it is our partner who discovers this issue. They may be awakened in the middle of the night by grinding sounds. Sometimes, we only notice this when the damage is already severe. You might want to be wary of probable teeth grinding if you experience the following:

• Headaches
• Jaw or face pain
• Unexplained tooth pain or sensitivity
• Unexplained tooth cracks or chips
• Tight jaw muscles

There may be physical, psychological or genetic factors why you grind your teeth. It may be triggered by stress, tension, or deep concentration. If this occurs at night, it may be brought about by stress, an existing sleeping disorder, hyperactivity and certain medications. 

Negative Effects

Contrary to popular belief, teeth grinding affects people of all ages. You should not outright dismiss it. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth, you should immediately seek medical attention. Asking for professional help from a dentist can negate possible damages to your mouth, teeth, jaw and overall oral health. 

One of the most pressing effects of teeth grinding is pain. It puts constant stress and pressure on your jaw joints and surrounding muscles. It will lead to jaw pain and stiffness, facial pain and even earaches. 

As mentioned earlier, bruxism puts constant stress and pressure on your jaw. It will affect the structure of your jaw joints and cause (temporary) temporomandibular disorders (TMD). TMD can cause severe facial, neck and shoulder pain, and leads to difficulty in chewing, talking and swallowing. 

Another pressing concern caused by bruxism is teeth damage. It is the primary side effect of clenching and grinding. Frequent grinding can wear down teeth surfaces and the enamel. Thus, it brings about height loss for your teeth and increased teeth sensitivity.

Conclusion

We often take our teeth for granted. But as mentioned, tooth decay used to be the leading cause of death, so you should never ignore any tooth pain. On the onset of jaw or tooth pain, you should immediately seek out your dentist.

If you are looking for a way to treat your bruxism, visit CFF Dental for a consultation. We customize night guards to help protect your teeth from the effects of grinding. Book an appointment now!