Teeth grinding is harmful to one's overall health, despite what people think. It is important to understand what happens when teeth grinding is done excessively. The official term for this habit is called bruxism, which is a condition that causes a lot of pressure to be placed on the teeth, gums and jaw muscles, all through the act of grinding the top arch of teeth against the lower arch of teeth.
Regular dental care is important for many things, including maintaining healthy teeth and gums. When the teeth are constantly being ground, one is at risk of developing weak teeth, as well as other symptoms such as headaches or jaw pain. However, if routine dental care is maintained, dentists can work to put a stop to excessive teeth grinding.
Below is a quick guide of information on teeth grinding, TMJ, TMD and bruxism.
According to the American Dental Association, teeth grinding can be caused not just by stress and anxiety but by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked. Symptoms tend to include a sore jaw, headaches, sensitive teeth and even fractured teeth. Treatment is necessary for dental patients who participate in grinding their teeth, of which there are many, e.g., mouthguards, counseling, medicine, lifestyle changes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the main risk factors of being diagnosed with a TMJ disorder includes long-term teeth grinding. TMJ stands for the two temporomandibular joints located on each side of the jaw. These joints make it possible for someone to open and close their mouth, and work closely together when it comes to talking, chewing and swallowing. While not everyone who grinds their teeth will be diagnosed with a TMJ disorder, many will be.
According to Hopkins Medicine, temporomandibular disorders are disorders of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and the nerves associated with chronic facial pain. While not everyone who grinds their teeth will be diagnosed with TMD, many will do to the constant pressure that comes from grinding one’s teeth. Some of the more common symptoms associated with TMD include facial tenderness, facial swelling, hearing a clicking or popping sound when chewing and an improper bite.
According to Cleveland Clinic, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis, it is a medical condition called bruxism. There are two different types of bruxism – awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. Those who are diagnosed with sleep bruxism are diagnosed with a sleep-related movement disorder. Both children and adults can be diagnosed with this condition, with children participating more in grinding their teeth during the night when sleeping.
TMJ, TMD, bruxism and teeth grinding should all be addressed by a dentist. These conditions can cause serious health problems if they go ignored. Reach out today to get started with an evaluation!
Request an appointment here: https://hemetdentalcenter.com or call Hemet Dental Center: Brian Stiewel DDS, INC. at (951) 707-4366 for an appointment in our Hemet office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Grinding in Hemet, CA.
You may be a good candidate for an implant dentistry procedure if you are missing one or more teeth and desire the highest quality (and most natural) restoration possible. This review discusses what an implant dentist looks at when determining if a patient is a good candidate for the procedure.Ideally, implant dentistry patients should have…
Dental implants are often referred to by implant dentists as artificial tooth roots. This is because they work in a similar fashion as natural tooth roots. Dental implants hold replacement teeth (i.e. dental crowns) in a stable and strong position.By learning more about dental implants, you can determine if implant dentistry is right for you…
Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures intended to enhance the appearance of your teeth. While most of these procedures are nonessential, they can offer a variety of health benefits as well. The field, once primarily reserved for celebrities and wealthy individuals, has become much more mainstream, offering a number of desirable and accessible procedures.The word…
During the consultation with an implant dentist, the patient and the dental team can put together a treatment plan. There are various steps during the teeth replacement process. Knowing them ahead of time can help the patient prepare prior to any scheduled procedures to ensure the implant dentistry process is as easy and convenient as…
You may be a good candidate for an implant dentistry procedure if you are missing one or more teeth and desire the highest quality (and most natural) restoration possible. This review discusses what an implant dentist looks at when determining if a patient is a good candidate for the procedure.Ideally, implant dentistry patients should have…
Dental implants are often referred to by implant dentists as artificial tooth roots. This is because they work in a similar fashion as natural tooth roots. Dental implants hold replacement teeth (i.e. dental crowns) in a stable and strong position.By learning more about dental implants, you can determine if implant dentistry is right for you…