You have so much going on, from balancing family life to work, school, and a myriad of other engagements, that sometimes your health can take a seat on the back burner. Indeed, ensuring your oral health – in addition to other aspects – is taken care of can easily slip one’s mind when having to balance a hectic schedule. You may be taking care to brush every day, but bear in mind that decay is far from the only threat to your smile. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist explores the notion of having a sore or tense jaw and discusses how bruxism can lead to even bigger concerns.
Sore Jaw When You Wake
While you may have experienced a sore or tense jaw once or twice in your life, experiencing it frequently is not normal. In fact, it could be a major indicator that you are suffering from bruxism, which is also known as chronic teeth-grinding.
When an individual experiences this phenomenon, what is occurring is that your teeth are clenching together as your lower jaw moves from side to side, creating friction between your structures. Not only is this dangerous for your healthy teeth, but it could quickly develop into a dangerous jaw dysfunction if you do not take care to seek adequate treatment.
Individuals who grind their teeth at night may endure significant soreness, aching, tooth sensitivity, and much more. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.
Sensitive or Brittle Teeth
Another major concern that you will have to endure when experiencing bruxism is sensitive or brittle teeth. You see, as your structures clench and rub together, the bones grind against each other, causing the surfaces of your teeth to wear down. What’s more? This will inevitably lead to an increased chance of chipping, cracking, and overall breakage.
In addition to brittle structures, you will also experience an increased risk of infection. As your structures become weaker, oral bacteria is more likely to successfully invade and infect them. To avoid this phenomenon, make sure you reach out to your dentist if you suspect you are consistently grinding your teeth at night.
It Only Gets Worse
While you may believe the circumstances above are the worst of your problems, your condition will actually get worse. In fact, chronic bruxism can easily lead its way to a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder, which occurs when your lower mandible becomes misaligned from one or both of the temporomandibular joints at which it hinges.
Indeed, TMJ disorder is a dangerous and painful phenomenon, and it is much better to act sooner rather than later when tending to the concern.
Learn More Today
Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more about the steps you can take to protect your smile, or schedule your next appointment with our team today.
