Under normal conditions, your teeth rely on each other for support, and to help promote healthy, proper bite function. However, bruxism (or chronic teeth-grinding) can turn your teeth against each other, literally. When you constantly grind your teeth together, the immense amount of pressure and friction that your bite generates can cause significant harm. Today, we examine when teeth-grinding becomes a bruxism problem, the dangers it can pose to your oral health if you ignore it, and what steps you can take to protect your teeth from it.

When teeth-grinding becomes bruxism

Teeth-grinding isn’t a chronic problem by itself. In fact, many people do it for very different reasons; some, as a nervous habit and others, as an expression of stress, pain, or anxiety. However, when bruxism is a factor, grinding your teeth together isn’t an occasional thing, it’s a constant one, and you may not realize it most of the time. Bruxism is often caused by one or several different underlying factors, which can vary greatly between different people who have it. However, the results of ignoring it are often similar, and can include extensive damage to your natural tooth structure.

Why it’s a problem you shouldn’t ignore

Your teeth are the most active parts of your body, and the variety of different foods you eat adds to their burden every day. Fortunately, they’re made to do the work effectively, and your teeth are among the strongest parts of your body, as well. Yet, your teeth are designed to process food, which is why you generate so much bite pressure. Without anything between them, your teeth are exposed to all of that pressure and are forced to withstand it themselves. Under these circumstances, even healthy teeth can’t last long without sustaining damage.

What you can do to protect your teeth

Like many other dental health concerns, bruxism is best treated as early as possible. Though you may not be able to prevent it from developing, you can take steps to mitigate the damage that bruxism can cause to your teeth, and the results of that damage to the rest of your oral health. For example, your dentist can provide you with a custom-designed nightguard to protect your teeth from grinding at night, when you can’t consciously control it.

Learn more about chronic bruxism

Bruxism isn’t always obvious, and the best way to protect your teeth from it is to take the warning signs seriously. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.