Have you ever awoken from slumber to the tense and painful feeling of a sore jaw? How about experiencing complications with opening your mouth fully or performing routine tasks such as biting, chewing, and eating? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may be experiencing a symptom of bruxism. Indeed, teeth grinding is a nontraditional dental concern that affects many people every year, and without treatment, it can develop into something much worse. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist discusses the effects of untreated teeth grinding, including how it can influence your overall physical health.
An Unexpected Concern
When you hear about possible dental complications, the items that are typically first to come to mind include tooth decay, gum disease, and lost or missing teeth. Indeed, these are among the most common of dental complications, and most of the time result from hyperactive oral bacteria running amok. Though these may be the most common of issues, that does not necessarily mean they are the only ones.
You see, your smile is actually influenced by a host of factors and threats. What’s more? Your natural defenses are significantly less in terms of providing protection, and as such, require all they help they can get. Oftentimes, this is where dental prevention comes in to save the day. But what do you do when you are facing a nontraditional dental concern such as bruxism?
Bruxism is the name given to chronic teeth grinding. It occurs when a person is asleep, and many times is a result of the body’s need to regulate itself. For example, relaxed throat muscles can cause the airway to become closed. Your brain may send signals to correct the issue through grinding your teeth, as this stretches the muscles and opens the airway once more.
Impacts on Daily Function
In addition to its causes, bruxism can also influence your daily function. For example, a sore or tense jaw may become difficult to open when attempting to eat. It can also lead to tension and stress headaches, as the constant clenching creates stress at the impact points.
Not only does bruxism impact you on a daily basis, but it can lead to the development of a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ Disorder. To learn more about this process and what your options may be, give our team a call today.
How Our Office Can Help
Grinding your teeth is not only detrimental to your structural health, but your functional and oral health as well. It is better to act sooner than later, and our team can help provide a custom mouthguard to help protect your structures.
Learn More Today
Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to learn more about the dangers of untreated teeth grinding, and schedule your next appointment with our team today.
