Bruxism: Its Causes and Effects
It is normal to grind your teeth when you are angry or upset, but if you tend to grind your teeth often than normal, you might have a condition called bruxism. From the Greek word "bryx" which means ‘gnashing of the teeth,' bruxism, if left untreated, can damage your tooth enamel, bone, gums, and jaw.
Grinding refers to the sideways movements of your jaws with the teeth touching, and clenching the clamping of your upper and lower teeth. It was considered an effect of malocclusion, or a bad bite. However, according to the latest research, bruxism is also caused by one's way of dealing with anxiety and stress, even anger.
Because bruxism occurs in the early stage when your teeth are still growing, it is mostly children who experience this condition. Approximately, 15% of children grind or clench their teeth. When you keep gnashing your teeth, your tooth enamel gets worn down at the rate of .3 millimeters every ten years. In fact, it is common when people experience 2 millimeters of enamel erosion when they reach their mid-twenties.
The condition gets even more serious when you sleep, because you tend to grind your teeth as often as 40 minutes for every hour of sleep, producing up to 250 pounds of force per square inch. This is actually enough force for you to crush a walnut. However, there is no need for you to panic, for your dentist newtown square pa will be able to treat bruxism.
If you do not visit your dentist newtown square pa as soon as you can, your condition may worse. Bruxism often occurs when you sleep and is considered the third most common sleep disorder. It can cause excess damage to the surfaces of the teeth, especially of the molars. According to study, people with bruxism are those who are most likely to snore and can develop sleep apnea.
Dentists in media pa give you an evaluation to treat bruxism. Though there is actually no cure, your condition can be controlled. You just have to trust your dentist to evaluate the extent of wear and tear on your teeth, gums, and jaw and to come up with a treatment plan to prevent further damage.
Grinding refers to the sideways movements of your jaws with the teeth touching, and clenching the clamping of your upper and lower teeth. It was considered an effect of malocclusion, or a bad bite. However, according to the latest research, bruxism is also caused by one's way of dealing with anxiety and stress, even anger.
Because bruxism occurs in the early stage when your teeth are still growing, it is mostly children who experience this condition. Approximately, 15% of children grind or clench their teeth. When you keep gnashing your teeth, your tooth enamel gets worn down at the rate of .3 millimeters every ten years. In fact, it is common when people experience 2 millimeters of enamel erosion when they reach their mid-twenties.
The condition gets even more serious when you sleep, because you tend to grind your teeth as often as 40 minutes for every hour of sleep, producing up to 250 pounds of force per square inch. This is actually enough force for you to crush a walnut. However, there is no need for you to panic, for your dentist newtown square pa will be able to treat bruxism.
If you do not visit your dentist newtown square pa as soon as you can, your condition may worse. Bruxism often occurs when you sleep and is considered the third most common sleep disorder. It can cause excess damage to the surfaces of the teeth, especially of the molars. According to study, people with bruxism are those who are most likely to snore and can develop sleep apnea.
Dentists in media pa give you an evaluation to treat bruxism. Though there is actually no cure, your condition can be controlled. You just have to trust your dentist to evaluate the extent of wear and tear on your teeth, gums, and jaw and to come up with a treatment plan to prevent further damage.
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