Long-Term Consequences Of Untreated Teeth Grinding

Are you constantly waking up with headaches or jaw pain? This can be caused by grinding teeth, also known as bruxism.

Bruxism is a medical condition that occurs during the day or at night during sleep. Many people may not even realize they're doing it until they experience symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, or worn-down teeth.

What problems are Caused by Untreated Teeth Grinding

Bruxism or teeth grinding can cause several issues related to your teeth and gums. Let’s see what long-term consequences are there if you leave your teeth-grinding issue untreated:

1. Damages Teeth or Tooth Loss

A dentist can diagnose teeth grinding by examining the appearance of your teeth. Typically, people with bruxism have teeth that are flattened and evenly worn down due to constant grinding. This leads to tooth damage as the enamel breaks down, making your teeth more vulnerable to fractures and chipping. If left untreated, these issues can worsen, potentially leading to tooth decay, sensitivity, and, in severe cases, tooth loss.

2. Harms Dental Restoration

Untreated teeth grinding in the long term can also cause damage to dental restoration procedures. It can cause chips or cracks in your dentures, crowns, and bridges, losing their effectiveness and requiring replacement.

3. Causes TMJ Pain

The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, attaches the lower jaw to the skull and rests on both sides of the face. It gives your jaw the ability to move. Grinding your teeth in the long term can cause pain in this joint as it causes extreme pressure, leading to inflammation and pain.
Symptoms of TMJ pain include muscle tension in the neck or face, headaches, pain while speaking and chewing, and hearing clicking noises when opening your mouth.

4. Leads To Gum Damage

Bruxism can cause tension in your gums and the connective tissues that hold up a tooth. It can lead to extreme pressure on the gum roots and teeth, causing inflammation in the gums. This could lead to gum disease and even gum recession. Prolonged damage to the connective tissue can lead to tooth loss.

5. Changes in Your Facial Muscles

Apart from the above dental reasons, long-term teeth grinding can also lead to changes in your facial muscles. This can affect your facial aesthetics as facial muscles can also be damaged, causing premature aging, sagging on the face, and wrinkles.

Treatment for Bruxism

As we have seen, untreated teeth grinding can cause a number of issues. So, is there a way to treat it? Yes, there are several ways in which you can treat bruxism. Let’s explore all the available treatment options:

1. Invisalign

Invisalign for grinding teeth is a great option for people with bruxism due to misaligned teeth. Just like braces, Invisalign can also straighten your teeth by being more subtle and not too visible.

2. Nightguard

The primary function of a teeth night guard is to create a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding against each other. This protection helps prevent wear and tear on the tooth enamel, reducing the risk of chipping, cracking, or fracturing teeth.

3. Braces

If your bruxism is due to malocclusion, then braces may help treat it by straightening your teeth. Malocclusion, characterized by misalignment of teeth, can potentially lead to bruxism. Misalignment causes the jaw muscles to operate unnaturally, leading to tension and stress. Consequently, individuals may involuntarily grind their teeth or clench their jaw, worsening the malocclusion.  You can treat malocclusion with braces. The orthodontic equipment will apply pressure on your teeth and straighten them.

Therapies to Treat Bruxism

Apart from physical equipment, teeth grinding can be treated with therapies. Following are some therapies to treat bruxism:

1. Stress Management

Stress often manifests physically, leading to tensed muscles, including those in the jaw. By managing stress through relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, you can decrease the tension in your jaw muscles, reducing teeth grinding.

2. Behavioral Techniques

Often, people are not aware that they are grinding their teeth. Behavioral techniques can involve keeping a diary to track when and where grinding occurs. Increased awareness can help individuals recognize triggers and patterns associated with their bruxism, and this can help them treat their teeth-grinding problem effectively.

3. Medication

If you grind your teeth in your sleep, medications that reduce motor activities can help.  However, medications should only be taken with the proper doctor’s recommendation.  Make sure you consult a dentist to seek the most effective treatment.

Final Thoughts

With proper care and treatment, you can overcome bruxism. Advancements in science have given rise to various approaches to treating this problem. Seek proper medical care immediately for proper treatment.

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