4 Reasons to Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Aug. 10, 2016

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When you think of dental problems, you may think of cavities, broken crowns, wisdom teeth pain, and other common issues. However, one of the most serious, yet still common, dental issues many patients face is something much less dramatic—teeth grinding. Grinding your teeth is not just a bad habit and a much bigger deal than you may think.

Here’s 4 Reasons You Should Stop Grinding Your Teeth:

• Grinding Can Damage the Tooth’s Enamel –

Your teeth are covered in a hard substance called enamel. Enamel is designed for durability during normal eating and drinking. However, when you are grinding your teeth (whether at night or during the day), you are damaging the enamel. It is impossible to build that enamel back up, and you could face more serious tooth problems in the future.

• Grinding May Cause Headaches and Neck Aches –

Do you seem to have many unexplained headaches? It could be that grinding your teeth is causing stress and tension in your head and neck that cause this pain. Your teeth and mouth need to relax, especially at night. If you are a teeth grinder, this isn’t happening for you. Stopping the grinding before your pain gets out of control is vital.

• Grinding Can Lead to TMJ Disorders –

TMJ is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint. It causes severe pain and even leads to fatigue. While there are still studies out about whether tooth grinding is a cause of TMJ or not, it certainly does not help matters for people who are already experiencing the pain or who are prone to this pain. Talk to your dentist about whether grinding could be making your pain worse.

• There Are Simple Ways to Stop Grinding –

Your dentist has many ideas and solutions to help you stop grinding your teeth. This is a dental problem that is easy enough to resolve if you are proactive. Don’t wait another day to get started.

As you can see, it is important to stop grinding your teeth as soon as possible. If you or a loved one are struggling with this, your dentist can be a great resource. Contact us at Dr. Jon D. Smith Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry today to discuss teeth grinding with one of our specialists.



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