Bruxism can be caused by stress, an improper bite, or even a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. What happens if you continue to grind your teeth without seeking treatment? Here are some of the long-term impacts of this damaging condition.

Headaches

Grinding your teeth has the potential to cause tension headaches and chronic migraines [1]. Your teeth can create immense force for chewing, but that same force isn’t meant to be placed on your other teeth! By clenching or grinding your teeth, you can accumulate muscle tension that can cause headaches, neck pain, and even shoulder or upper back discomfort.

Gum Recession

The stress placed on teeth during teeth grinding can cause gum tissue to become inflamed. Gum tissue can even begin to pull away from the teeth, resulting in exposed roots and tooth sensitivity. Gum recession is also a sign of gum disease, so don’t hesitate to visit your dentist if you notice your teeth look longer or are more sensitive.

Worn-Down Teeth

Repeated instances of clenching or grinding can eventually wear down your teeth. Your teeth may be more sensitive or look shorter than they used to. Teeth may also have a flattened or unnaturally even appearance when they’ve been affected by teeth grinding [2].

Your teeth can’t grow back, so once they appear shorter, you’ll need to consult with your dentist to determine what type of cosmetic treatments are available to restore your smile.

Fractured Teeth

Bruxism can also cause teeth to chip, fracture, or break. Teeth that accumulate chips will become uneven in appearance, while fractures that are deeper can cause the need for root canal therapy. Teeth can even become so impacted that they can break off in places, causing the need for restorative treatments to repair your smile.

Loose Teeth

One of the most devastating consequences of teeth grinding over the long-term is loose teeth, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss [3]. When teeth are repeatedly impacted by bruxism, their structure can weaken and cause the ligaments that hold them in the skull to weaken as well. Your may feel as though your teeth fit together differently, or your teeth may be visibly loose. Without treatment at this point, your teeth could eventually fall out or need to be extracted.

Bruxism isn’t something to be ignored. If you wake up with headaches or an aching jaw or teeth, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can tell whether or not you grind your teeth and work with you to design a treatment plan that works for you before your smile suffers the consequences!

Sources:
1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/your-jaw-may-be-to-blame-for-your-migraine-
headaches/
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-
20356095
3. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/teeth-grinding

The post Long Term Impacts of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Wiggling the Tooth

To wiggle that tooth out, use a piece of clean gauze and wrap it around your child’s tooth. Gently wiggle it back and forth. You never want to force a tooth to come out. If the tooth doesn’t feel very loose, leave it alone. If, however, the tooth is very loose and practically hanging there, could can employ the wiggle method until the tooth comes out. You may try twisting a bit to encourage it. Using gauze will help you get a proper grip on the tooth and lessen the chances of a slip!

Eating Crunchy Foods

Crunchy foods are not only great for getting loose teeth to come out, they’re also great for your smile! Foods such as apples, carrots, and celery can actually act as little scrubbers on the teeth and remove plaque and bacteria. These are excellent snacks to keep on hand or to pack in school lunches. If your child has a loose tooth, you can simply encourage them to crunch into an apple or eat some carrots and celery. The chewing action combined with the crunchy, firm nature of these foods can help encourage the loose tooth to come right out!

Employ the Help of Floss

Flossing should be a regular part of your child’s oral care routine, as this important step can remove unseen plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Floss is an excellent tool for when you’re trying to get a stubborn baby tooth to come out as well. You can wrap the floss around the tooth just like you would during normal flossing. Gently pull on the floss near the crown of the tooth and see if the tooth is ready to make its exit!

Leave It Alone

It’s never a good idea to pull a baby tooth before it’s ready and this is never advised. Your child’s set of adult teeth are working their way in at their own pace. Removing the tooth too soon could impact the growth of the adult tooth, or cause unnecessary bleeding and pain for your child.

On the contrary, if the new tooth is clearly coming in and the old one clearly isn’t coming out, it could be time to see the dentist. Regular checkups are a vital part of any child’s oral care. Visit your dentist to ask how your child is doing with their tooth development. Your dentist can advise you what’s normal and even assist with pulling out that tooth!

Your child’s tooth will let you know when it’s ready to come out. Encourage your child to wiggle the tooth on their own until it’s ready. If your child needs assistance, employ one of these dentist-approved ways to remove your child’s tooth!

The post The Best (Dentist-Approved!) Ways to Remove Your Child’s Loose Tooth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Children generally begin to lose their teeth by age 6 and will continue to lose them for the next several years as they get their adult teeth in. If your child begins losing teeth earlier than age 4 ½, you should see a dentist to evaluate your child for any oral health problems.

Timing of Lost Primary Teeth

Generally, anytime within these years is normal, but a dentist visit can help ensure your child’s adult teeth are on their way!

Age 6-7: Lose First Tooth (Central Incisor)

The first teeth to be lost are usually the central incisors—these are the teeth in the center of the top and bottom rows of teeth, also known as the front teeth or biting teeth. Many children lose their bottom teeth first, but top or bottom teeth may be lost around the same time, which is around age 6 for many children!

Age 7-8: Lose Lateral Incisor

Also known as laterals, these teeth are the teeth neighboring the front teeth. They are usually the next to go after the central incisors and will happen with a year or around the same time as your child’s first baby teeth.

Age 9-11: Lose First Molar

The molars are those bigger teeth towards the back of the mouth that are designed for grinding up food. Your child will tend to lose these teeth a little later in their childhood years, around age 9 or possibly age 11. Your child’s adult molars should be on their way in!

Age 10-12: Lose Canines

Your child will lose their top and bottom canines around the same time, around ages 10-12. Many kids experience a gap in losing teeth between ages 8-10 after losing their incisors but before shedding their molars.

Ages 10-12: Lose Final Primary Teeth (Second Molars)

The second molars are usually the last teeth in the mouth to be shed. These are also the teeth that come in the latest during your child’s toddler years, so it makes sense that they are around for longer! Don’t forget your child’s third molars— also called wisdom teeth— will arrive around the ages of 17-21!

When Is It Too Late to Lose Primary Teeth?

Just as early tooth loss could potentially be a problem, so can late tooth loss. Visiting your dentist can help identify any problems that are present. If your child has not begun losing their teeth by age 7 or 8, you should be concerned.

Losing baby teeth can be a fun experience for children and is a great opportunity for you to talk with them about how important their teeth are to their health. The arrival of their adult teeth is a great milestone for many children, so teach them how to properly care for their teeth and visit your dentist for a checkup!

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