The way your teeth meet when you bite is a very important diagnostic tool for many problems related to the oral cavity. One wrong way to bite can cause problems with your teeth, gums, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and facial muscles.
This condition, often referred to as TMJ disorder, can also cause some people to grit and grit their teeth at night. This can lead to facial pain, headaches, discomfort and sound (clicking) when biting or chewing, migraines as well as neck and shoulder pain, and even back pain.
If you recognize any of these symptoms or suffer from them on a daily basis, you should visit a dentist to treat your problems or refer you to a specialist if necessary.
In some cases, treatment involves using a splint at night. This is done to accurately measure and adjust your bite so that when you bite it, your teeth are in a position where your muscles are relaxed. This also helps to stop grinding your teeth and protects them. Depending on the origin and severity of your problem, you may need orthodontic treatment or maxillofacial surgery. Other solutions may include replacing missing teeth or fixing any unsuitable bridges you may have.
The important thing to do is to visit your dentist as soon as possible so that your problem does not worsen over time and require more drastic measures to correct it.