Dental decay and infection are among the most common oral health concerns out there, posing a significant threat to the integrity of your grin. While they may be the most common, however, they are far from the only factors you must worry about. In fact, there is an entire multitude of items that negatively influence your grin, which is why your dentist puts such an emphasis on proper preventive care. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist takes a look at the way a sore jaw can result from chronic teeth-grinding, and how waiting too long before seeking treatment can result in a dangerous jaw dysfunction.

What Causes it?

It goes without saying that preventive dentistry plays a major role in the health of our smiles, but it cannot simply prevent everything. This is the case with the nontraditional dental concern known as chronic teeth-grinding or bruxism. It occurs when an individual clenches his or her teeth together and then subsequently moves the lower mandible from side to side, generating friction. When this occurs frequently enough, your teeth can endure significant damage as well as sensitivity.

Indeed, bruxism can occur due to outside or environmental stressors, internal anxieties, or even as a natural response for survival. In the case of obstructive sleep apnea, the throat muscles relax and cause the airway to become restricted. In an effort to regulate breathing, your brain can send signals to the throat muscles to contract. When an individual grinds, the throat muscles tighten and the airway is able to open once again. In other words, teeth-grinding can be a natural body response to regulate breathing and encourage survival. For more information about this process, reach out to our team today.

How it Impacts Your Health

In addition to waking with a sore jaw, bruxism can impact your health in a number of ways. First, it can cause your teeth to become weak and subject to increased risks of cracking, chipping, breaking, and infection. What’s more, the longer this phenomenon occurs, the more likely you are to develop a dangerous jaw dysfunction known as TMJ disorder.

TMJ disorder occurs when your lower mandible becomes misaligned with the two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) at which it hinges on your cranium. As a result, you can experience a painful popping or clicking sensation, as well as difficulty opening the mouth.

Knowing your Options

TMJ disorder and bruxism are not to be taken lightly. Fortunately, however, there are solutions to help. Ask your dentist about an oral appliance to protect your teeth and open the airway while you slumber, or reach out about guided splint therapy for TMJ disorder.

Learn More Today

Contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600 to find out more about the dangers of jaw dysfunction, or schedule your next office visit with our team today.