Tooth sensitivity, particularly to cold, affects many, causing discomfort during everyday activities. This common issue often stems from various dental factors, but a less recognized contributor is teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism. This unconscious habit can profoundly impact dental health, making teeth more vulnerable to temperature changes.
What is Teeth Grinding?
Bruxism involves the clenching or gnashing of teeth, typically without conscious awareness. It can happen during waking hours or while asleep. Bruxism is a prevalent behavior, with estimates suggesting that between 8% and 10% of the population experiences it.
Bruxism manifests in two main forms: awake bruxism, often linked to emotions such as anxiety or stress, and sleep bruxism. Sleep bruxism is often more damaging because individuals are unaware of the activity, which can involve significant force. Underlying causes include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders like sleep apnea, an abnormal bite, and lifestyle factors such as caffeine and alcohol consumption.
How Grinding Leads to Cold Sensitivity
Teeth grinding exerts excessive force on dental structures, directly contributing to tooth sensitivity, especially to cold. One primary mechanism involves the wear of tooth enamel, the hard, protective outer layer. Constant grinding erodes this enamel, exposing the underlying dentin, a softer layer with microscopic tubules leading to the tooth’s nerve. When dentin is exposed, cold stimuli can travel through these tubules to the nerve, causing sensitivity.
The intense pressure from grinding can also contribute to gum recession, where gum tissue pulls away from teeth. As gums recede, the sensitive root surfaces become exposed. These root surfaces lack the protective enamel layer and are composed of dentin, making them highly susceptible to cold. This exposure increases sensitivity and raises the risk of decay on the root surface.
Teeth grinding can create cracks or fractures in the tooth structure. These provide pathways for cold temperatures to reach the tooth’s internal pulp, which houses the nerves and blood vessels, leading to pain. Over time, chronic grinding irritates these nerves, making the teeth generally more sensitive.
Signs You Might Be Grinding
Identifying teeth grinding can be challenging because it often occurs subconsciously. Indicators can suggest bruxism. One common sign is jaw pain or soreness, especially noticeable upon waking. Individuals might also experience headaches, frequently in the temples, or unexplained earaches not linked to an ear infection.
Physical signs on the teeth can point to grinding. These include worn, flattened, chipped, or fractured teeth, or visible wear on the tooth enamel. Tight or tired jaw muscles, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, and indentations on the tongue or the inside of the cheek are also common symptoms. For those with a sleeping partner, the sound of grinding teeth at night can be an indicator.
Solutions and Prevention Strategies
Managing teeth grinding and its associated cold sensitivity involves professional dental interventions and lifestyle adjustments. Dentists recommend custom-fitted mouthguards or splints, which provide a protective barrier between teeth, preventing wear and distributing grinding forces. These devices are worn at night and can reduce symptoms like jaw pain and headaches. Addressing underlying bite issues or repairing damaged teeth with fillings or crowns may be necessary to restore tooth structure and alleviate sensitivity.
Lifestyle modifications also play a role in reducing bruxism. Stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or regular exercise, can help mitigate stress and anxiety, common triggers for grinding. Avoiding hard foods and excessive chewing gum can reduce strain on jaw muscles. Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, especially before bedtime, may also help, as these substances can worsen clenching and grinding. Regular dental check-ups are important for monitoring tooth wear and addressing any signs of bruxism or sensitivity.