7 Ways Nighttime Teeth Grinding is Secretly Destroying Your Dental Work
The Cost of Grinding Your Teeth
Do you grind your teeth? More than likely, you’ve caught yourself doing it at least once. Maybe you’re stressed at work, doing your best not to be furious at a family member during the holidays, or perhaps it’s a common occurrence. For many people, the symptoms that come from teeth grinding are impossible to ignore, but did you know that bruxism, or tooth grinding, often happens during sleep, so a person might not even realize it?
Grinding your teeth might be affecting your life in more ways than you might realize. It can cause problems with your sleep, your mood, and even cause chronic pain. But your natural teeth aren’t the only ones in danger. Tooth grinding also affects any crowns, bridges, or fillings you might have.
1. Cracking or Chipping Crowns
If you’ve had any restorative dentistry work in the past, you know how important it is to take care of your teeth. Unfortunately, grinding your teeth can cause significant damage to both the natural teeth and any potential dental restorations. As you grind your teeth, you run the risk of cracking or chipping crowns. Though we love to see all of our patients here at Monroe Family Dentistry, we highly doubt you want to stop by to redo any of the work you have done in the past.
2. Loosening Dental Implants or Bridges
Crowns aren’t the only kind of dental work in danger from teeth grinding. If you have any dental implants or bridges, they are at risk of breaking while you grind your teeth. This constant movement stresses the supporting structures and weakens stability. Over time, this will cause them to fail entirely, and you’ll need to have your implants or bridges repaired.
3. Wearing Down Natural Teeth
As you might imagine, your natural teeth are under an incredible amount of stress while you grind your teeth. Over time, the enamel will erode away. This enamel is the shield that protects your teeth from tooth decay. Without its help, your teeth are more susceptible to cavities, and they will be significantly more sensitive as you go throughout the day.
4. Jaw Pain and Morning Headaches
If you are dealing with chronic jaw pain and constantly wake up with headaches, there’s a chance you’re grinding your teeth in your sleep. This constant grinding creates muscle strain and joint tension. Over time, this will create more pain and more chronic issues for your poor jaw and teeth. Plus, you aren’t likely to be having a truly restorative night of sleep if you’re grinding your teeth all night!
5. Gum Recession and Inflammation
This one often surprises people. If you are constantly grinding your teeth, the excessive force can cause the gums to pull back and expose the roots, or gradually shift the teeth out of their optimal positions. These problems increase the chances of tooth decay, infection, and severe misalignments.
6. Increased Sensitivity and Tooth Pain
As the enamel is worn away, teeth tend to begin to hurt and ache. That enamel not only protects the teeth from decay, but it also helps protect the nerve endings within. If it is worn away, you’re in a world of hurt—literally. So, if your teeth start to hurt, it’s a sure sign that something is going on and that you need to give Monroe Family Dentistry a call.
7. Costly Repairs and Replacement Needs
As time goes on, the damage from grinding your teeth increases. Enamel doesn’t replace itself. Teeth can be fragile. If the problem goes on for too long, it can mean that you need dental restorations. If you already have dental restorations, they can become damaged and require replacement sooner rather than later.
There are solutions.
Tooth grinding is never a fun situation to be in. Whether it’s due to stress, anxiety, or a chronic issue, it’s important to keep an eye on it. Sometimes, it is necessary to get some help to keep your dental work and your natural teeth safe. Plus, it might just cure a few of those headaches you’ve been dealing with lately. Here at Monroe Family Dentistry, we offer custom nightguards. We take our time with each and every one of our nightguards, ensuring they are comfortable and specially fitted to the wearer. This way, you’ll want to wear them to bed, and your teeth will thank you!
Are you tired of dealing with all of the problems that come with grinding your teeth? Whether you have questions or concerns, or you’re worried your tooth grinding is getting out of hand, you can reach out to us at Monroe Family Dentistry. We’re ready and waiting to help get you fitted for a custom nightguard to help protect both your natural teeth and any restorations you may have from further damage.
Remember, when it comes to your oral health, the Monroe Family Dentistry team is here to help you every step of the way.
