Are You Grinding Your Teeth At Night?

Do you wake up with a headache almost every morning? Do you wake up with a sore jaw or teeth? Do you notice yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day? Are your teeth more sensitive than they used to be? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be grinding your teeth at night. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common habit that can cause some serious issues. Grinding your teeth can lead to tooth decay and damage, as well as TMJ (temporomadibular joint) disorder. 

Damage and Decay

Teeth grinding is literally the act of your upper and lower ridges of your teeth grinding against each other. The friction can cause tiny fractures to the enamel of your teeth. These tiny cracks can be home for harmful bacteria to hide and cause decay. Over time, these tiny cracks can get bigger and leave the teeth susceptible to breakage. Restorations like crowns or fillings can be at danger of damage caused by bruxism. Even before causing decay or damage, these tiny cracks can cause your teeth to be sensitive to cold or sweet things. If you recently developed tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist.

TMJ Disorder

Your TMJ is the hinge joint of your jaw. It allows for movement up and down, and side to side for chewing, speaking, and biting. TMJ disorder creates pain in your jaw, face, temples, and even down into your neck and shoulders. Your jaw may start popping and clicking. TMJ disorder leaves you at a higher risk of getting lockjaw, where your jaw locks into place and will not move. It can be a painful, scary ordeal. TMJ disorder may affect the alignment of the jaw, which ultimately can impact the alignment of your teeth. So, your overall oral health can be negatively affected by the grinding of your teeth.

Talk to your dentist if you think you grind your teeth

To schedule a consultation and discuss possible bruxism, call Lone Star Dental Care in Frisco, TX, at 972-335-7100. We proudly welcome patients from Frisco and all surrounding communities, including Dallas, Plano, McKinney, Prosper, The Colony, Carrollton, Lewisville, and more.