By definition, most habits are fairly difficult to break. Unfortunately, even seemingly-harmless habits can have disastrous long-term effects, and breaking them may be essential. For instance, clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth are common when you’re stressed or angry, and often unnoticed when it occurs habitually. Under the constant pressure and friction, your teeth can wear down and a host of other dental issues can develop. Today, your Plano periodontist, Dr. Marco Cueva, examines the effects of habitual teeth-grinding, also called bruxism, on your overall oral health.
Bruxism’s Effects on…
Teeth
Not surprisingly, the most immediate effects of bruxism can be seen on your teeth. The trauma may not be immediately apparent to your own eye, but Dr. Cueva can thoroughly examine your teeth for signs of excessive wear and damage to determine the likelihood of bruxism. In extreme cases, your teeth may suffer serious injury, including cracks and fractures, that don’t need a professional assessment to detect.
Dental work
If you’ve already had restorative work done, such as a dental filling or crown, then constantly rubbing your teeth together can damage or break the work and compromise your tooth once again. Until you treat bruxism, your restorative and cosmetic dental work will be as much at risk as your teeth.
Jaw
The joints and muscles that move your jaw are designed to easily withstand the pressures of biting, chewing, and speaking. Like any joints and muscles, however, overexertion can lead to fatigue and damage. Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) can become inflamed and misaligned, leading to the chronic and widespread discomfort associated with TMJ disorder.
Stop Grinding Your Teeth with Help from Your Plano Periodontist
If you catch yourself grinding your teeth throughout your day, you can make a conscious effort to stop the habit and preserve your teeth. Since bruxism typically happens during sleep, Dr. Cueva may recommend a custom-designed sleep guard that protects your teeth from grinding against each other while you sleep. To learn more, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cueva by calling our Allen periodontist’s office at (972) 390-9944 today. Located in the 75013 area, we proudly welcome patients from Allen, Plano, Richardson, McKinney, Frisco, Fairview, Murphy, Wylie, Lewisville, Carrolton, and surrounding communities.
