You may have never worried about grinding your teeth before, but then you heard about bruxism and began to think that maybe you should worry. Fortunately, that’s not necessarily the case. Not every instance of clenched teeth is a sign of bruxism, and not every instance of bruxism is immediately noticeable. However, that doesn’t mean you should discount your teeth-grinding as harmless. Instead, try to notice if you exhibit other warning signs that you grind your teeth too much, or simply ask your dentist during your next routine visit.
They’re starting to wear down
Bruxism means that you grind your teeth constantly, without intention and, often, without realizing it. It doesn’t take long for that amount of pressure and friction to begin wearing down your teeth, particularly their chewing surfaces. If you notice that your teeth seem to be wearing down, then it may be reasonable to consider bruxism a possible cause. This excessive tooth wear will continue to grow worse unless you take the warning seriously and seek treatment as soon as possible.
It hurts when you bite and chew
Even if you don’t notice that your teeth are wearing down, you may notice that your jaw and facial muscles seem sore and much more sensitive than they should. That may be because those same muscles have worn themselves out forcing your teeth against each other. If you have trouble biting and chewing your food or speaking comfortably because of sore and painful jaw muscles, then mention the discomfort to your dentist during your next visit.
Some teeth don’t touch anymore
Because bruxism wears down your teeth and can inhibit your jaw’s proper function, you may eventually begin to feel differences in how your bite feels. Some teeth may no longer even touch when you bite down because they’ve been worn down too much. This imbalance can exacerbate the discomfort in your jaw when you bite and chew, as well as make your bruxism even worse.
Take teeth-grinding signs seriously
If you notice these or other signs that you grind your teeth too much, then tell your dentist about it as soon as possible to avoid damaging them further. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.
