Migraines, Jaw Pain, And Other Issues Caused By Bruxism
Frequent migraines, jaw pain, and toothache can cause a lot of discomfort and hinder your day-to-day life. Most of the time, these issues are caused by bruxism, a condition in which people grind their teeth. The extra pressure exerted on the teeth stimulates the nerve endings in the teeth, which leads to jaw pain.
At the same time, the pressure also induces headaches and migraines. While there’s no clear-cut solution for bruxism, using custom-made dental guards can reduce its effects and decrease jaw pain significantly. Besides that, there are also other issues caused by bruxism, such as tooth enamel damage and hindrance mouth movement. Here’s all you need to know about issues due to bruxism and its effects on your health.
Bruxism
Bruxism is commonly characterized by the clenching of the jaw and frequent grinding. Typically, people grind their teeth during sleep subconsciously, but it can also happen during the day. This tooth grinding can increase in intensity over time which can cause tooth damage and other issues. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to prevent any adverse health effects. Bruxism can be due to stress, anxiety, PTSD, teeth crowding, substance abuse, and even due to medicinal side effects.
Types Of Bruxism
Awake Bruxism
Awake bruxism happens when people subconsciously grind their teeth while they’re fully awake. This type of bruxism is commonly tied to emotional issues and happens when people feel anxious, angry, or stressed. But sometimes, it can also happen when people are concentrating on something. Stress management is the most effective cure for awake bruxism.
Sleep Bruxism
Sleep bruxism happens when people grind their teeth during sleep. Since people are unaware of teeth grinding while they’re asleep, this type of bruxism is harder to cure. Additionally, people don’t know how strong they’re grinding their jaw, which further prevents them from getting the right treatment.
Health Issues Caused By Bruxism
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is one of the most common issues associated with bruxism. The grinding action exerts a lot of pressure on the gums and jaw. On top of that, the constant teeth clenching also has the same effect. In the end, you’re left with sore muscles and sensitive gums that constantly ache and cause discomfort.
Migraine
Migraines due to bruxism happen because of two reasons. One is the anxiety and stress the person feels, which stresses our brain and the nerves. Additionally, the grinding exerts pressure on the jaw muscles, which can cause jaw pain and headaches. If not handled properly, this migraine can turn into chronic migraines, which are difficult to treat.
Chipped Tooth
Chipped teeth are the most common issue with bruxism. When you’re continuously grinding your teeth, it starts to eat away the enamel protecting your teeth. Over time, it can cause tooth erosion which makes the teeth quite sensitive and prone to chipping.
Sensitivity
Since the grinding wears the tooth’s enamel, the nerve endings are exposed. These exposed nerve endings increase a person’s sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. As a result, each time you eat something hotter or colder than the room temperature, you’ll feel a sharp pain in your teeth.
Tooth Loss
As we discussed before, bruxism can lead to weakening enamel and chipped tooth. However, if the grinding continues, it can lead to attrition. Attrition is the process through which your teeth gradually start to deteriorate. This can result in fractures, flattened teeth, and in the worst-case, tooth loss.
Changes In The Facial Profile
Continuous teeth grinding can cause the muscles in your face to bulk up, changing your facial structure and giving you a swollen look. However, this doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a while before you start noticing facial changes. That’s why it’s important to get the right treatment to prevent it.
Neck Pain
Due to the strain and pressure on the mouth and jaw muscles, the pain can travel to your neck and aggravate your muscles. As a result, you’ll feel sharp pain each time you move your neck. If you leave the pain as it is, it’ll move to your shoulders and back.
Get Custom Dental Guards For Your Bruxism With Clear Comfort Night Guards
Dentists recommend using nightguards to reduce the effects of bruxism and prevent enamel damage, headaches, and jaw pain. With Clear Comfort Night Guards, we offer custom-made dental guards. Our dental guards come in various forms, including soft, ultra-soft, hard, and ultra-hard mouthguards.
Not just that, but with Clear Comfort Night Guards, you get exceptional service, durable materials, and a money-back guarantee. Our guards are created by trained technicians in the US and are around 80% cheaper. Not just that, but we also sell sports mouthguards for people who actively participate in sports. So order your custom dental guard today and get in touch with us to learn more.
