General Dentistry |1 min read

The Dangers of Teeth Clenching

Teeth clenching can cause serious damage to your teeth and jaw. Teeth are designed to fit together smoothly,with the top and bottom teeth touching only when chewing. We all clench our teeth to some degree; it is a natural result of stress or anger. However, frequent clenching or grinding of the teeth is the result of a condition called bruxism. An estimated 20% of the population suffers from the condition.

Sleep apnea can cause clenching. Because one has a dry mouth from snoring and due to the open position of the mouth when snoring, you will need to create saliva and mucous to lubricate the airway while you sleep. This may cause bruxism.

When you clench your teeth tightly together, you are putting a lot of stress on your teeth. The pressure and stress can cause micro fractures or even large cracks in your teeth.

Frequently grinding your teeth can cause your tooth enamel to wear away at a rate 6 times faster than those who don’t suffer from bruxism. Teeth grinding can also lead to jaw pain, recessed gums and frequent headaches.

If you suffer from bruxism, The Silberman Dental Group can help provide professional treatment solutions. The choice of treatment depends on the cause. Don’t hesitate to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Silberman so that he can determine the best treatment. Possible treatment may include a mouth guard, special exercise, medication and only in extreme cases, surgery. For more information, please feel free to call our Waldorf, Maryland family dental practice at [phone].

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