Most people grind their teeth occasionally, whether they realize it or not. Fortunately, periodic teeth grinding causes no lasting damage to the teeth or jaws. It’s only when the teeth grinding becomes a habit that it also becomes a cause for concern. Medically known as bruxism, chronic grinding of the teeth can lead to long-term oral health complications such as wearing the tooth down to a stump, cracked or fractured teeth, loose teeth, infection, and more. These problems increase the likelihood of major dental interventions such as tooth extraction, root canals, dentures, implants, bridges, and crowns.
Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?
Perhaps you can relate to the feeling of experiencing so much stress that you instinctively grind your teeth as a means of coping. In fact, stress is the top reason that people develop this habit in the first place. It can also develop due to existing problems with your teeth and jaws such as crooked teeth, missing teeth, or a bite that doesn’t fully come together.