A conflict between the teeth and the jaw joints can cause severe damage to the teeth and the jaw bone. Most people do not realize that biomechanical dental disease causes at least as much damage to the teeth and the jaw bones as does tooth decay and gum disease.
Even though most people who do clench and / or grind their teeth do not realize they are doing it, it is a potent force for damaging the oral structures.
To see if you may have dental damage due to tooth clenching and/or grinding, see Dr, Simon’s article, Biomechanically Induced Dental Disease.