How Does Bruxism Affect Your Teeth and Long-Term Dental Health?

Nearly half of all Australian adults might be suffering from Bruxism. It is involuntary grinding or clenching that can lead to a host of immediate and long-term dental issues including enamel wear, increased sensitivity, tooth fractures, gum recession, jaw pain, and even facial changes. Left untreated, it may cause severe damage that requires major restorative work and can disrupt sleep quality.

Thankfully, protective solutions like custom-made bruxism mouth guards, along with stress management, physical therapy, behaviour modification, and dental correction, offer effective ways to manage symptoms and prevent further harm. Let’s learn more about Bruxism and how it affects your teeth and long-term dental health too.

What Exactly Is Bruxism?

Bruxism occurs when you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth. This happens most commonly during sleep (sleep bruxism), but some people experience it during waking hours as well (awake bruxism). The pressure exerted during bruxism can be up to 250 pounds per square inch – far more force than normal chewing activities.

The causes of bruxism vary widely. Stress and anxiety often trigger teeth grinding, but other factors can play a role:

Sleep disorders like sleep apnea
Misaligned teeth or abnormal bite
Certain medications, particularly some antidepressants
Lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, smoking, or caffeine
Neurological disorders

Immediate Effects on Your Teeth

The consequences of untreated bruxism begin to appear relatively quickly. Within months of regular grinding, you might notice:

Tooth Wear and Flattening: The grinding motion literally files down your teeth, causing them to appear flat or shorter. The protective enamel wears away, exposing the more sensitive dentin (A hard, bone-like tissue covered by enamel, that forms the main body of teeth) underneath.
Increased Sensitivity: As enamel erodes, teeth become more sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. This happens because the dentin contains tiny tubes that lead to the nerve.
Tooth Cracks and Fractures: The immense pressure from grinding can cause teeth to crack or chip. These small fractures can deepen over time, potentially requiring crowns or other restorative work.
Loose Teeth: Persistent pressure from grinding can eventually loosen teeth by damaging the periodontal ligaments that hold them in place.
Jaw Pain and TMJ Issues: Many bruxism sufferers experience pain in the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ), which can lead to clicking, popping, or even locking of the jaw.

Long-Term Dental Health Consequences

Without proper bruxism treatment, the condition can lead to serious long-term dental problems:

Severe Tooth Damage

Years of grinding can wear teeth down to stumps, requiring extensive dental restoration work like crowns, bridges, implants or even complete dentures in extreme cases. The natural shape and function of teeth become completely compromised.

Gum Recession and Tooth Mobility

The forces of bruxism can cause gums to recede, exposing roots and creating pockets where bacteria collect. This increases the risk of gum disease and can lead to tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss.

Chronic TMJ Disorder

Prolonged bruxism often results in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), characterised by chronic jaw pain, limited mouth opening and headaches. This condition can be difficult to reverse once established.

Altered Facial Appearance

Over time, severe bruxism can actually change your facial appearance. The constant muscle activity can lead to enlarged jaw muscles (masseter hypertrophy), giving the lower face a square appearance.

Additionally, significant tooth wear can reduce the vertical dimension of the face, creating wrinkles around the mouth and a prematurely aged appearance.

Sleep Disruption

Sleep bruxism doesn’t just damage teeth, it disrupts sleep quality for both the sufferer and often their sleep partner. Poor sleep compounds the negative health effects and can lead to daytime fatigue, concentration problems, and increased stress.

Protecting Your Teeth: The Role of Bruxism Mouth Guards

A bruxism mouth guard serves as a crucial protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. These custom-fitted devices:

Absorb the pressure of grinding and clenching
Prevent direct tooth-to-tooth contact
Reduce muscle strain and jaw discomfort
Protect dental work like fillings and crowns

While over-the-counter mouth guards exist, dentists typically recommend custom-made guards that provide better protection and comfort. These are created from precise impressions of your teeth and adjusted to your specific bite, making them far more effective than generic options.

Comprehensive Bruxism Treatment Approaches

While a mouth guard protects teeth from damage, addressing the underlying causes of bruxism requires a broader approach:

Stress Management

Since stress is a major trigger, techniques such as:

Meditation and mindfulness
Exercise
Counseling or therapy
Improved sleep hygiene

These can significantly reduce grinding episodes. Many patients report improvement after implementing stress-reduction practices into their daily routines.

Physical Therapy

Specialised jaw exercises and physical therapy can help relax overused muscles and improve jaw function. These might include gentle stretching, massage, and heat or cold therapy to relieve tension.

Behavior Modification

Working with a healthcare provider to develop awareness of clenching habits during the day can help you train yourself to relax your jaw muscles. Simple reminders like post-it notes or smartphone alerts can help build this awareness.

Medication

In some cases, muscle relaxants or botulinum toxin (Botox) injections may be prescribed to relax jaw muscles, particularly for severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications might also be considered if psychological factors are significant contributors.

Dental Correction

If misaligned teeth contribute to your bruxism, your dentist might recommend corrective treatments such as:

Orthodontics to adjust bite alignment
Reshaping the chewing surfaces of teeth
Repairing or replacing damaged teeth

When to Seek Professional Help

You should consult a dentist about bruxism if you notice:

Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
Worn tooth enamel exposing deeper layers of your tooth
Increased tooth sensitivity
Jaw, neck, or face pain or soreness
Dull headache starting at the temples
Sleep disruption
Damage to the inside of your cheek from chewing

Early intervention can prevent the need for more extensive dental work later. Regular dental checkups also allow your dentist to spot signs of bruxism before you might notice symptoms.

The Importance of Regular Monitoring

Even with treatment, bruxism requires ongoing monitoring. Your dentist should:

Regularly check the condition of your mouth guard for wear
Assess any changes in your teeth or jaw
Adjust treatment approaches as needed
Monitor for complications like TMJ dysfunction

Bruxism silently damages your teeth and jeopardises your long-term dental health if left untreated. The grinding and clenching forces can wear down enamel, crack teeth, and even change facial structure over time.

Fortunately, protective measures like custom bruxism mouth guards combined with comprehensive treatment approaches can effectively prevent damage and address underlying causes.

Don’t let teeth grinding destroy your smile. For expert assessment and personalised bruxism treatment options, visit Rouse Hill Smiles Dental Care, where our team of experts under Dr. Teena Bali is committed to protecting your smile for life.