You May Be Grinding Your Teeth, Causing Damage, And Not Know It

You May Be Grinding Your Teeth, Causing Damage, And Not Know It - You, like many people may be grinding your teeth and not aware that you’re doing it.

But the problem could be solved by reducing stress, according to dentist Maria Kaschner.

Many people tense their jaw muscles when under stress, she says, attempting to relieve tension and causing their teeth to grate against each other.

There may also be other reasons for the condition, such as a poorly inserted tooth filling.

But the habit is harmful to the teeth, even though teeth are extremely hard.

A great deal of pressure is generated by grinding, and the teeth will not be able to withstand this for long.

“Over time, the tooth enamel wears away,” Kaschner says.

Grinding is also bad for the mandibular joint linking the upper and lower jaw. It may cause pain to the joint, as well as tension in the neck and shoulders.

Possible treatment

For adults, a tooth guard, usually worn at night, may provide relief, but this method is less suitable for children, partly because they are growing and their mouths are constantly changing.

“Many children grind their teeth now and then,” Kaschner says, describing this as fairly normal.

But persistent grinding, or muscular pain caused by grinding, needs to be treated.