Have a Teeth-Grinding Habit? Here’s When to Worry

There are some threats to your oral health that you might not always realize are threats. For example, catching yourself grinding your teeth once in a while is so common that it’s rarely considered a concern. In many cases, it isn’t. However, if you suffer from bruxism, then you’re actually grinding your teeth much more than you notice, which could lead to several different serious concerns with your teeth and oral health. Fortunately, we can detect the signs of bruxism early during your routine dental exams, and if necessary, recommend appropriate treatment to protect teeth and restore your smile.

You grind them so much they hurt

One of the first signs of bruxism that you may notice on your own is the increasing sensitivity of your teeth. Your teeth are the toughest parts of your body, but when you constantly grind and clench them together, they can start to hurt worse and worse. This a telltale sign that their structures are being worn down or damaged by your grinding habit, and it will grow worse until you seek appropriate treatment for your bruxism.

Your teeth’s chewing surfaces change

If you don’t notice, or ignore, the sensitivity in your teeth, then it may not be long before you start to notice the damage to your teeth. As you grind them together, the chewing surfaces of your teeth can start to wear down significantly, changing the way your bite feels every time you close it. This can lead to a host of other issues and your jaw joints and muscles try to accommodate the change in your bite. The longer you hesitate to seek treatment, the more you’ll continue to grind your teeth, and the higher your risks will be of sustaining more severe structural tooth damage.

Your jaw muscles are getting sore

In addition to the damage that bruxism can cause to your teeth’s chewing surfaces, the constant clenching action can also wear down your jaw joints (TMJs) and muscles that control your bite movement. If your TMJs become sore or damaged, the resulting discomfort can spread and manifest in a wide range of ways, including severe headaches, facial and jaw pains, and more. TMJ disorder is closely related to bruxism, and the longer either condition is left untreated, the more complicated your treatment plan may be.

Treat your teeth-grinding problem

Having bruxism means you grind your teeth so often and so forcefully that you can start to damage their structures. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Yelena Popkova D.D.S. in Merrimack, NH, today at 603-595-9400. We also serve the residents of Nashua, Hudson, Manchester, Milford, and all surrounding communities.