5 Common Side Effects of Grinding

Also known as “Bruxism”, teeth grinding is quite a common condition that many patients suffer from. It could be a daytime habit, or even something you’re unconsciously doing at night! Usually brought on by stress, teeth grinding can give way to many harmful side effects that can irreversibly damage your teeth and dental work. Being aware of the signs can help you intervene as soon as possible!

Worn Teeth

When left untreated, the most visible sign of teeth grinding is worn teeth. The repetitive grinding of your teeth flattens and wears them out over time. You may notice your teeth looking shorter, sharp and jagged. Eventually, this can expose the nerve inside your teeth and give way to severe pain.

Sensitive Teeth

The hard, outer layer of your tooth, also known as enamel, protects your teeth from external elements like chewing, dietary acids, changes in temperature etc. Once this wears off, the inner layer is exposed and this is particularly sensitive to different temperatures.

Headaches & Jaw Pain

When you grind your teeth, this puts a lot of force on your facial muscles and jaw joint,TMJ, and its supporting muscles. Your TMJ muscles cover your jaw, cheeks and even the sides of your head. Overworking these muscles can give way to a throbbing headache and a sore jaw.

Earaches

The intense contraction of your jaw muscles can also give way to earaches. This is why it’s not uncommon to suspect Bruxism if you have facial aches and soreness of any sort.

At Purity Dental, we can help you fight this habit with the simple aid of a custom-made bite splint or nightguard as well as muscle relaxant injections! If you have trouble with teeth grinding, call today for a simple solution!