Teeth Grinding: A condition known as bruxism causes you to grind, gnash, or clench your teeth. If you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep or are awake, this condition is known as bruxism (sleep bruxism). One sleep-related movement condition is sleep bruxism.
More people who clench or grind their teeth when they sleep are more likely to snore and experience breathing pauses (sleep apnea). Bruxism that is mild may not need therapy. However, bruxism can be regular and severe enough in some people to cause jaw difficulties, migraines, cracked or chipped teeth, and other issues.
Why Is Teeth Grinding Dangerous?
Teeth can occasionally crack, become loose, or even fall out as a result of persistent tooth grinding. Teeth that have been ground down continuously may finally become stumps. When this occurs, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even full dentures may be necessary.
In addition to wearing down your teeth and resulting in tooth loss, frequent grinding can also affect your jaws, worsen TMD or TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face. It may cause a variety of problems, including rapid tooth wear, sensitivity, breaking, gum recession, a sore jaw sensation, and headaches. Teeth grinding can be encouraged by a stressful life, a lack of sleep, and neglecting dental hygiene.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which could wake up your sleeping partner,
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose
- worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth.
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely
- Jaw, neck, or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it’s actually not a problem with your ear,
- dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
Treatment:
Protective night guard or splint therapy, dental modifications, dietary changes, and postural, emotional, and lifestyle improvements are all recommended for the management of teeth grinding.
Less-invasive bonded ceramic and composite restorations can be used to treat mild tooth loss from grinding. If teeth grinding is not addressed, it can worsen and necessitate more involved dental procedures such as implant rehabilitation, complete extraction, or whole mouth rehabilitation.
