Problems Caused By Grinding Your Teeth

Problems Caused By Grinding Your TeethMost people who grind their teeth do so during their sleep. If you are sleeping when you grind your teeth, how do you know if you are doing it? You may notice that you often wake up with headaches and/or a sore jaw and teeth. Maybe throughout the day that you find yourself clenching your jaw more often than not. You might have an increased teeth sensitivity to cold or hot foods. These could all be possible signs that could indicate that you are grinding your teeth. Grinding your teeth, which is also known as bruxism, can cause several problems for your oral and overall health

Increased Risk of TMJ Disorder

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge joint that gives your jaw movement. The joint of your jaw is one of the most complicated joints in your whole body. It can move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. TMJ disorder can be caused by an excessive wear on the joint from grinding of your teeth. The disorder can cause a chronic soreness in the jaw, face, neck, and even shoulders. It can also cause jaw popping and lockjaw, which is the painful condition where your jaw can lock into place without an ability to move. Lockjaw can require assistance from a medical professional to move your jaw if serious enough.

Damage and Decay

The friction from grinding can lead to tiny fractures to be formed in the surface of your teeth. No matter how small, fractures in your teeth’s surface can weaken your teeth and leave them vulnerable to breaking. Any harmful bacteria in your mouth can hide in the tiny cracks. It can even stay hidden during brushing and flossing, which can give it time to attack your teeth and cause decay.  Because of the surface damage, decay can escalate more quickly into a serious cavity and beyond.

Do you grind your teeth?

If teeth grinding has caused complications for your smile, they can be treated. To schedule a consultation, call our Ft. Worth, TX, office today at (817) 236-7846. We serve adults, teens, and children from White Settlement, North Fort Worth, Springtown, Rome, Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and surrounding Texas communities.