Effects Of Chattering Teeth
What do you usually associate chattering teeth with? Probably cold weather or having a fever. But did you know that it can also be caused by other factors? While the most common cause of teeth chattering is cold weather, it can also be caused by emotional stress, panic, medication, withdrawal from drugs or alcohol and neurological disorders. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism can also lead to teeth chattering. While it may seem harmless at first, constant chattering can lead to damage to the teeth. Let’s find out what are the short term and long term effects of teeth chattering.
Wears Out The Enamel
If you are constantly chattering and grinding your teeth, the enamel that protects your teeth will eventually wear out and expose the underlying dentin which wears out faster than the enamel. Enamel plays a big part in protecting our teeth from decay. Without it, the inner layer would be more susceptible to plaque and acids. Unlike our other body parts, it does not regenerate since it does not contain any living cells. That is why we need to take extra care in protecting and maintaining this protective layer.
Chipped Tooth
Chipped teeth are expected when there is excessive teeth chattering. You don’t have to be a dentist to know that those small but constant impacts against your teeth can cause them to eventually chip or break. Though our teeth are the strongest part of our body, it is not indestructible. A chipped or broken tooth can lead to more serious dental problems. It can lead to an infection which can cause you to lose the tooth or to an expensive operation to repair it.
Jaw Pain
Long periods of teeth chattering will overwork your jaw muscles causing pain and discomfort. This might not seem much but as we already know by now, so-called minor inconveniences like this one can only lead to bigger problems. Lockjaw, facial myalgia, earache, limits the opening of the mouth, inflamed gums and loose teeth just to name a few. All of these have varying levels of pain that will have negative effects on how you go about your daily routine.
