It goes without saying that your smile endures a significant amount of wear over the course of your life. After all, nearly everything can be detrimental to your oral health, and it is for this reason that your dentist emphasizes the importance of an effective preventive dental routine. Even still, decay and infection might be common issues, but they are far from the only concerns to worry about. In fact, nontraditional factors such as a sleeping disorder or bruxism can cause major issues to develop down the line. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist explains just how dangerous teeth-grinding is for your smile, as well as what steps you can take to ensure proper care.
Wearing Away Enamel
Whether you are aware of it or not, a number of people are affected by bruxism every year. This phenomenon, also known as chronic teeth-grinding, can occur consciously or unconsciously and consists of an individual tightly clenching their teeth together and moving the lower jaw from side to side.
When looking at major causes, there are a few different factors that have a heavy influence. For example, environmental and internal stressors can cause a person to clench and remain tense, leading to the process of teeth-grinding. What’s more? It could be caused by your body’s inherent need for survival, as you are not getting enough oxygen to the brain while you sleep. Regardless of the cause, however, it is important to seek treatment if you develop a consistent teeth-grinding problem.
As your structures grind, friction is generated that causes your protective layer of enamel to wear thin. This substance is the hardest in the body and is critical for smile protection, but once it is gone, it is gone for good. To learn more about this process, reach out to our team today.
Problems Biting and Chewing
In addition to wearing down your enamel, another concern that develops includes an impact on your oral function. For example, your teeth serve a vital purpose in helping you bite, chew, and eat your food. With increased wear, however, you may develop an inability to open your mouth fully or chew without pain. What’s more? The situation will only get worse with time, and treatment is necessary to improve it. Contact our team today to learn more.
It Can Always Get Worse
Chronic bruxism is one of the major causes of TMJ disorder, which is a jaw dysfunction disorder that occurs when the lower jaw becomes misaligned with one or both of your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). This phenomenon can lead to significant tissue damage, as well as a noticeable popping or clicking in the jaw.
Schedule Your Appointment
Contact SleepWell Houston in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to learn more about the dangers of unchecked teeth-grinding, and schedule your next appointment with our team today.
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