20 Sep Alarming Long-Term Effects of Bruxism
Excessive clenching of the jaw or grinding of one’s teeth is a phenomenon called bruxism. The condition can be either sleep or awake bruxism, and some believe that this is not a serious issue, but the long-term effects can cause major problems. A lot of the time, people grind their teeth because they’re stressed. Usually, the person doesn’t even realize he or she is clenching. In this sense, sleep bruxism can be a result of stress manifesting itself during the night.
Long-term effects aside, the immediate repercussions are not something that anyone would want to deal with. According to The Bruxism Association, immediate effects of teeth grinding/jaw clenching include: head or ear ache, the muscles of the face aching, disrupted sleep, tight shoulders, receding gums and so many more.
If those aren’t enough, the long-term effects include developing Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and the wearing down or breaking of the teeth.
TMD, which can result in intense pain, limited range of motion of the jaw and popping or clicking of the jaw bone can require surgery if it remains untreated for too long. A chipped or worn tooth may require a crown, a root canal, or a dental implant if the crack extends below the gum line.
If you are experiencing issues with sleep, please contact us today, and one of our experienced staff is glad to help.