Your partner complains about the grinding noises you make at night, your jaw hurts when you wake up, or maybe your dentist has pointed out the obvious evidence of tooth wear. All of these are signs of bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. While headaches, jaw discomfort, and tooth wear are usually the first problems, some people also wonder if teeth grinding can recede their gums. Let’s discuss this in detail to find out!
What is Gum Recession?
When the gum tissue around your teeth recedes or fades away, more of the tooth’s root becomes visible. This condition is known as gum recession. In addition to increasing the tooth’s sensitivity to hot and cold, this exposure increases the tooth’s susceptibility to decay and possible bone loss. It is a prevalent issue with several underlying causes, such as:
- Periodontal disease
- Aggressive brushing
- Genetics
- Poor oral hygiene
- Trauma
- Misaligned teeth
- Hormonal changes
How Bruxism Stresses Your Gum?
Your teeth and jaws are subjected to excessive, repeated force when you have bruxism. Despite their extreme strength, teeth are not made to endure severe, continuous grinding or clenching. This overuse of force can result in a number of problems that may affect your gum line directly or indirectly:
Direct Trauma to Gum Tissue
Although teeth are the main target of grinding, excessive clenching can exert considerable pressure on the gum tissues that encircle the tooth’s neck. This persistent, unusual tension may eventually cause gum tissue to break down or move mechanically.
Lesions from Abfraction
This may be one of the clearest connections between gum line problems and bruxism. Abfraction lesions are wedge- or V-shaped notches that develop on the surface of the tooth near the gumline, usually just above the gum tissue. They are not caused by deterioration or brushing. Rather, occlusal (biting) pressures from clenching and grinding are thought to be the culprit.
Affected Bone Support
The underlying bone that supports your teeth is closely linked to the gums. This supporting bone may become stressed by high, long-term bruxism stresses. Although it doesn’t cause gum disease directly, bruxism can exacerbate its symptoms.
Inflammation and Stress Response
Since chronic bruxism causes repetitive damage, it can result in persistent low-grade inflammation in the surrounding tissues. Even if there isn’t a direct infection, persistent inflammation, when paired with other variables, can weaken the gums and increase their vulnerability to recession.
Exacerbating Existing Conditions
Gum recession can be greatly accelerated by the additional stress caused by bruxism if you already have weak gum tissue (a hereditary predisposition) or are exhibiting early symptoms of gum disease.
Wrapping Up!
Excessive and abnormal pressures exerted by teeth grinding can considerably contribute to gum recession, even though it doesn’t “push” your gums away as gum disease does. It compresses the supporting bone, causes vulnerabilities like abfraction lesions, and exacerbates pre-existing problems.
Consult our expert dentist at Divine Dental Studio of Ceres about your teeth-grinding habit, and let us offer you the finest possible treatment. Contact us at (209) 207-7777 and book your appointment right away.