Have you ever been diagnosed with bruxism? It is when you clench down on your teeth or grind them back and forth. Instead of just living with that diagnosis, you may want to find out what you can do to help treat it. If you let it remain untreated, it can go a long way towards doing permanent damage to your teeth and even your jaw.

The Effects That Bruxism Can Have on Your Teeth

By clenching your teeth, you are putting a lot of extra pressure on them that they were never intended to have. This pressure can build up over time, and begin to not only wear down your teeth, but also crack and fracture them. You may experience consistent headaches and even have daily facial or jaw pain that doesn't go away.

Your gums are also likely to be affected, as pushing down on your teeth can impact how strongly they are attached to your teeth. It can leave you with gum inflammation and it can also begin to cause gum recession. You may suffer from earaches, and you may also tightness in your shoulders.

After a long time of clenching or grinding your teeth, you may begin to have issues with your TMJ on a regular basis. Plus, you can suffer from teeth that are either broken or so worn down that they are constantly painful.

If you have ever been told you have the signs of bruxism, or have a formal diagnosis, then you need to speak with your dentist and oral surgeon about how to keep your teeth safe.

Working to protect your teeth before they are damaged is ideal, but sometimes, your teeth are already suffering. Going to an oral surgeon can help repair some of the damage, and may even be able to help restore the health of your mouth.

Please contact our office if you have any questions about bruxism's effects on your oral health.