[Health Column] Teeth Grinding: Neglecting It Damages Teeth? 3 Reasons Why You Need Treatment Right Now

 

 

Hello, this is Dr. Oh, the smiling dentist at Smile D Dental Clinic.

 

to the people around or to family I grind my teeth really hard at night Have you ever heard of that? 😬 Have you ever woken up in the morning with a stiff jaw or numb teeth?

 

Teeth grinding is easy to dismiss as a simple sleep habit, but in reality... A disease that poses a significant threat to dental and jaw joint health no see.

 

Today, I will explain why you shouldn't ignore teeth grinding and how to safely treat and manage it. ✨

 

1️⃣ What problems arise if teeth grinding is left untreated?

Strong physical forces applied unconsciously during sleep destroy teeth and jaw joints.

 

Teeth grinding that occurs during sleep is difficult to recognize on one's own, but Teeth and jaw joint It applies continuous and powerful force to [it]. If left unchecked, it leads to three major problems.

 

📌 Wear and damage to teeth
In severe cases, the tooth surface is ground down, shortening it, and cracks or breakage occur. Restoring multiple damaged teeth requires a lot of money and time.

 

 

📌 Temporomandibular joint disorder and muscle fatigue
Rubbing and clenching my jaw with all my might all night jaw muscles Fatigue becomes severe and eventually leads to jaw joint pain or disorder.

 

 

📌 Weakening of gum bone
If continuous impact is applied to the tooth, the root surrounding alveolar bone It can weaken and cause teeth to become loose.

 

 

2️⃣ Is it okay to just use commercially available teeth grinding devices?

Off-the-shelf devices without a custom dental diagnosis can actually cause tooth alignment deformation.

 

There are people who wear ready-made mouthguards purchased online because they find visiting the dentist burdensome. 😅 However, this can actually harm your dental health, so special caution is required.

 

 

⚠️ Precautions for Ready-made Mouthpieces

 

🔸 material problem
According to research, for teeth grinding relief, soft types are better than Hard type The device is more effective.

 

🔸 Risk of interlocking deformation
If you wear a device that is not custom-made for your individual teeth for a long period of time Side effects such as unwanted tooth movement or occlusal deformation This may occur.

 

Therefore, after a precise diagnosis at the dental clinic, a custom-made one that fits me perfectly Manufacture a 'bruxism device (splint)' It is most desirable to do so. ✨

 

3️⃣ How does a dentist treat bruxism?

We combine splints for tooth protection with Botox treatment to relieve muscle tension.

 

At the dental clinic, we provide systematic treatment tailored to the cause and symptoms, aiming to protect teeth and reduce muscle activity. 🩺

 

🔹 1. Customized device therapy (splint)
It safely protects the teeth by preventing direct wear and physically holds their position to prevent excessive force from being applied when the upper and lower teeth bite together.

 

 

🔸 2. Botox injection for the jaw muscle (masseter)
Overly developed and tense outer jaw muscles (masseter muscles) Botox is injected to reduce muscle overactivity. It reduces the force applied to the jaw during teeth grinding. Relieves jaw joint strain and improves square jaw It also helps.

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is the habit of clenching or grinding teeth during the day also considered teeth grinding?

 

A. Yes. Bruxism is divided into diurnal (daytime) and nocturnal (sleep-related) types that occur while sleeping. While daytime habits can be consciously controlled, dental diagnosis and treatment are even more important for teeth grinding during sleep because strong forces are applied unconsciously.

 

Q2. Can teeth grinding be reduced by changing lifestyle habits?

 

A. Yes, it is possible. 🚭 Nicotine from smoking is reported to increase the frequency of teeth grinding, so quitting smoking or reducing smoking is helpful. Improving lifestyle habits—such as reducing excessive alcohol consumption and caffeine intake, and managing stress through meditation and deep breathing before sleep to ensure restful sleep—has a positive effect on alleviating teeth grinding. 🧘‍♀️

 

Q3. Is teeth grinding Botox permanent after just one treatment?

 

A. No. The effects of Botox are temporary and wear off over time. If symptoms are severe, it is recommended to undergo periodic treatments while monitoring your progress regularly. 🩺

 

🎯 Conclusion: Teeth grinding is not a 'sleeping habit,' but an oral disease.

📢 A closing remark from Director Oh's health column

❌ Teeth grinding is not just a simple sleeping habit Tooth wear, temporomandibular joint disorder, weakening of the alveolar bone It is an oral disease that causes...

⚠️ Unverified off-the-shelf devices sold online may cause side effects such as tooth deformation.

If you suspect bruxism, visit a dental specialist early for a thorough examination and consultation on customized splints and Botox.

 

If you are experiencing discomfort in your daily life, please do not delay; we hope you find the right management method by consulting with medical professionals. 💙

 

※ This column was written with reference to dental oral medicine and general dentistry guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smile D Dental Clinic

Chief Director Oh Su-hwan

• Graduated from Yonsei University College of Dentistry
• Major in Orthodontics, Yonsei University Graduate School of Dentistry
• Ministry of Health and Welfare certified orthodontist
• Regular member of the Korean Association of Orthodontists
• Completed internship and residency in Orthodontics at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital
• International member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
• International member of the World Federation of Correctional Organizations (WFO)
• Regular member of the Korean Association of Orthodontists
• Certified by the Korean Association of Orthodontists

 

 

 

 

 

View more expert columns by Dr. Oh Su-hwan, Director of Smile D Dental Clinic

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