Bruxism is the medical term for the habit of teeth grinding or clenching when asleep or awake. This condition, when left untreated, leads to severe teeth and crown damage. Although dental veneers can help restore the appearance your teeth, understanding how bruxism affects your oral health helps you take precautions in changing this habit. Here are the most common side effects and simple habits to limit them. 

How Bruxism Impacts Oral Health

1. Tooth Damage 

The average pressure of biting down is 200 pounds. Although the teeth can withstand this extreme pressure, prolonged teeth grinding wears them down. First, the pressure from grinding can damage the teeth's enamel, exposing dentin. This tissue is responsible for supporting the tooth's structure and sending impulses from the enamel to the dental pulp. As a result, without the enamel, the dentin is exposed to extreme food temperatures, causing sensitivity.

Additionally, chronic bruxism chips and breaks down chewing surfaces. If you notice increased sensitivity, schedule regular dental exams to help spot signs of bruxism. Lastly, consider dental veneers to provide additional protection to your teeth if the enamel is lacking. 

2. Jaw Disorder

Aside from tooth damage, bruxism can also affect the structure of the joints and imbalance the jaw. As a result, the misalignment causes temporomandibular joint disorder, where pain radiates from the mandible to the front of the ears. Additionally, it affects the nerve supply in the chewing muscles, which restricts the movement of the tongue.

If you suffer from sleep bruxism, ask about dental mouthguards to wear at night. If you observe teeth-grinding tendencies when you're stressed or anxious, try reducing stress by taking a warm bath or listening to music.

3. Gum Recession 

The pressure from teeth grinding sometimes forces the gums to move. As a result, it creates gingival pockets where bacteria can collect. Over time, the bacteria can develop inflammation and push the gumline further back. To avoid this issue, wear mouthguards prescribed by cosmetic dentists at night to create physical barriers between the upper and lower teeth. This prevents excessive movement due to sleep bruxism. 

If you're interested in dental veneers to protect your oral health from the effects of bruxism, reach out to Waterford Dental Health in Waterford, CT. This team of cosmetic dentists has provided reliable dental solutions to clients, including dental veneers, tooth fillings, and crowns. Additionally, they offer sedation dentistry services to help patients deal with anxiety during dental procedures. View and download patient forms online, and call (860) 447-2235 for an appointment.