Why does it hurt after teeth are ground down?

Many people have the habit of grinding their teeth. Grinding teeth is not a simple thing. If you grind your teeth unconsciously, such as when sleeping, this is considered to be a pathological factor. If you have a hobby of grinding your teeth, it will cause certain damage to your teeth, which will cause greater strain on your teeth. So try not to grind your teeth. If you encounter dental problems, go to the hospital for examination and diagnosis in time.

Is teeth grinding harmful to teeth?

Bruxism is a phenomenon in which a person's upper and lower teeth grind or clench against each other in a non-physiological state. The most serious harm is nocturnal clenching and grinding of teeth. Nighttime bruxism is common in children, and may play a role in occlusal building, promoting normal growth and development, and adjusting and forming a good occlusion.

1. Impact on masticatory muscles:

Early damage manifests itself as muscle hyperfunction, excessive muscle activity, increased electrical potential, and pain. At the same time, patients with bruxism not only have pain in the facial muscles, but may also have pain in the neck and back muscles. In some cases, the excessive strength of the jaw muscles interferes with the maintenance of the mandibular resting position, causing muscle spasms and fatigue, pain in the head and facial muscles, difficulty opening the mouth, weakness in chewing, etc., and may also cause myofascial pain dysfunction.

2. Impact on periodontal tissues :

The occlusal force generated by people with bruxism is very large, 10 times that of normal people. When this occlusal force acts on the periodontal tissue, in mild cases, a compensatory reaction occurs, with the periodontal ligament widening and thickening and the alveolar bone hyperplasia; in severe cases, teeth are worn away, occlusal trauma occurs, and periodontal lesions may occur.

3. Impact on tooth and pulp tissue:

The most direct impact of bruxism is extensive loss of tooth tissue, destruction of tooth shape, sharp edges that can often injure the lips, cheeks, and tongue soft tissues, shortening of the lower 1/3 of the face, and aging of the face, affecting the patient's appearance and pronunciation.

4. Impact on the temporomandibular joint:

The temporomandibular joint, the muscles of mastication, and the occlusion form a functional whole. Bruxism destroys the morphology and function of the dental occlusal system. It can also cause abnormalities in the function of the masticatory muscles, such as hyperfunction of the masticatory muscles, spasms, fatigue, pain, etc. Unbalanced muscle contraction, abnormal occlusion, changes in the vertical height between the jaws, and imbalance in the position of the disc and process also directly affect the normal shape and function of the temporomandibular joint, manifesting as abnormal mandibular movement, joint clicking, and muscle pain.

5. Head and facial pain:

Patients with bruxism often complain of facial pain, headache, and maxillofacial muscle fatigue. In severe cases, persistent pain may occur, and may even cause pain when chewing, biting, yawning, or talking.

6. Other impacts:

Bruxism not only affects the entire stomatognathic system, but also causes patients to become nervous, anxious, and troubled, which increases muscle tension and worsens the condition. People who grind their teeth at night not only disturb other people's sleep, but also have an unsightly appearance.