4 Harmful Complications of Teeth Grinding

'Bruxism' or teeth grinding is a health problem that needs to be addressed promptly, especially when it is very severe. Failure to do this may lead to likely complications that could otherwise have been prevented. Mild cases of teeth grinding may not be a cause for concern but, the more severe cases of this disease may lead to some complications.

I have listed 4 of such complications below.

1. Damaged teeth
The teeth are the part of the body that is primarily affected by dental disease. If the teeth move or grind against each other the result is physical damage to the surface of the teeth and the cheek. Fractured crown, abnormal wear and tear, and missing or broken tooth are common damages that result from this dental problem.

A great number of people invest money to get an alluring white set of teeth. Dental surgeries and restorations are undergone to improve the teeth but teeth grinding can take all the improvements achieved from these away. Because 'bruxism' can lead to loss of investment on teeth improvement it is important that one visits his dentist immediately one notices it. This will prevent further damage to the teeth which could cost a lot of money to restore.

2. Chronic Headaches
Headaches are caused by stress which is, in itself, a main cause of this dental problem. The constant, irregular, and usual involuntary muscle movements of the mouth, jaw, and the ear cause severe headaches and these are more severe than headaches caused by tension and anxiety. These headaches recur intermittently. Though doctors prescribe over-the-counter medications as remedy for these headaches it could be annoying and uncomfortable leading to health problems like sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.

3. 'Temporomandibular' Joint Disorders
This is abbreviated as 'TMJ' and it is a disorder in the joint of the ball and socket located at the sides of the head. It is the joint joining the jawbones to the temporal bone of the skull. This 'TMJ' moves when we speak and, in like manner, there is a grinding of the teeth. This joint moves more than it is supposed to in teeth grinding because of the involuntary nature of the movement associated with 'bruxism'. In some instances the joint become dislocated because of the severe nature of teeth grinding.

Your 'TMJ' is in front of your ears. It moves as the jaw moves up and down and in teeth grinding its movement is different. It allows sideways movement of the jaw. With too much frequency of movement and pressure on the joint there may the occurrence of the problem of 'bruxism' over time.

4. Facial Pains
When Headaches are the chief complication of 'bruxism' facial pains is most likely to results. The 'bruxism' that affects the head first gets to the face before the head. How? The teeth clenching causes strain for facial muscles before it gets to the head where headaches are felt. The fact that 'bruxism' affects both the head and face is known by few people. Most people think it only affects the teeth alone. Facial pain causes wrinkle and skin sagging.

There you have it a list of 4 complications associated with this teeth problem.