A. How To Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Do you suffer from unconscious teeth grinding or jaw clenching at night or even during the day? Habitual teeth grinding, known as bruxism, can cause jaw pain, headaches, and tooth wear. At Hicks Dental Group, we want to help you manage the pain and discomfort caused by bruxism with the medicine that is most right for you. Read on to learn how to stop grinding your teeth, including at night while you sleep for relief.
1. Symptoms crushing teeth
See your dentist to treat your teeth grinding if you notice the following symptoms:
- Loud grinding or clenching of teeth while sleeping
- An increase in toothache or sensitivity
- Your jaw does not open or close properly
- A dull headache near your temples
- Worn surfaces of your teeth
- Sore or tight jaw muscles
2. How can you stop kneeling your teeth?
a. Use protection
This procedure will not prevent teeth grinding, but will protect your teeth. If you grind your teeth while you sleep, your teeth are vulnerable to damage for long periods of time each night. To protect your teeth from chipping, cracking, and other damage, it’s best to wear a mouthguard when you go to sleep. A mouth guard is a removable splint that covers your teeth and keeps them from grinding together all night. While over-the-counter mouthguards exist, a custom mouthguard prescribed by your dentist will likely fit your teeth better and feel more comfortable.
b. Relieves stress
Stress is a very common cause of unconscious teeth grinding and clenching, so reducing and managing stress can help stop bruxism in its tracks. Not only does stress affect your oral health, but it can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other issues with your overall health. There are many stress management techniques that can help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety so you can stop grinding your teeth, such as: B. exercise, meditation, therapy and yoga.
c. Relax your tongue and jaw muscles
If you find yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day, try taking a break and intentionally relaxing your muscles. Protect your teeth and jaw by keeping your teeth apart and putting your tongue behind your front teeth when your mouth is at rest with your lips closed. Ease the pain of pinching and grinding by gently massaging your jaw to release built-up tension. Relaxing the jaw helps prevent inflamed jaw muscles, relieves pain, and reduces the risk of TMJ disorders.
d. Treat related disorders
If you have been diagnosed with a disorder or condition that causes teeth grinding, getting treatment as soon as possible can stop your teeth grinding. Some disorders and conditions often associated with bruxism are:
- Sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Nightmares
- Insanity
- ADHD
e. Reform your teeth
Depending on the cause of your teeth grinding, you may need teeth straightening. If overfilling or misalignment is causing bruxism, reshaping the tooth surface can help solve the problem. Teeth straightening may also be needed if damage from teeth grinding is preventing you from chewing properly.
B. How To Stop Teeth Grinding At Night And During The Day
Clenching your jaw when trying to control anger or involuntarily grinding your teeth is a common phenomenon. It happens every now and then and doesn’t affect you. However, if you notice this happening every day and causing pain in your teeth and jaws, it is a cause for concern. Many people grind their teeth in their sleep. It’s known as nocturnal bruxism. If it occurs during the day, it is called waking bruxism. It can damage your teeth and lead to other dental problems. Therefore, Hope Island dentists recommend several teeth grinding tips and treatments that will help you break the habit with ease.
1. What are the causes and symptoms of bruxism?
There are several reasons for teeth grinding, such as stress, anxiety, trouble sleeping (sleep apnea), depression, caffeine addiction and alcoholism. It is also caused by crooked teeth or missing teeth. With nocturnal bruxism, the patient is often unaware of the problem as it occurs during sleep. However, they have jaw pain or a headache when they wake up. Some other symptoms are pain in facial muscles, earache, difficulty moving neck and shoulder muscles, etc. If not treated in time, it can lead to dental damage such as fractures and tooth loss. It can also lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and make your face look different.
2. How to stop grinding your teeth at night and during the day
If you have the above symptoms or your partner has noticed nighttime teeth grinding, you should see your dentist and get checked out. The doctor will conduct a thorough examination to determine the cause of the bruxism as it varies from patient to patient. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. For example, if it happens due to stress and depression, the dentist will give you tips to relieve anxiety and relax your mind. Let’s understand this in detail.
a. Mouthguard
Mouth guards, also known as night guards, are often used by athletes to protect their teeth from damage during tough activities such as boxing, weightlifting, etc. In the ring. Mouthguards are also very helpful in treating bruxism as they provide a protective cushion over teeth and protect them from grinding. These are individually adapted to the jaw by dentists.
b. Bite Restoration
Sometimes bruxism can occur due to uneven or crooked teeth. Therefore, the dentist will suggest reduction chronoplasty to level the teeth and help the patient achieve the perfect bite. The procedure is also used by dentists for tooth alignment and is useful in treating teeth grinding. Since mouth health can affect the whole body, you need to treat it quickly.
c. Reduce stress and anxiety
Tension, discomfort, and worry are one of the most common causes of bruxism. Dentists recommend stress reduction techniques for these patients, including meditation and yoga. The patient can attend classes to get rid of fears and nervousness. Some professionals also suggest seeing a therapist or psychiatrist if stress is affecting your mental health. Participating in physical activities such as running, working out at the gym, or joining a sports team can also reduce stress.
d. Relaxation
The jaw muscles must be relaxed to avoid bruxism. You can put a warm towel over your cheeks before going to bed. You can also try reducing screen time or giving your mind time to settle before bed. Listening to soft music or taking a hot shower is also soothing.
e. Oral exercises
Your dentist will introduce you to jaw and tongue exercises that will help relax your jaw muscles. You can also consult a physical therapist for these exercises, which will allow your teeth to align properly and reduce unconscious grinding. You can also try holding the tip of your tongue between your teeth, which will help train your mind to avoid clenching and stop grinding your teeth.
f. Diet control
Since caffeine addiction can also lead to bruxism, a good way to treat the problem is to stay away from these foods and beverages. Therefore, avoid eating chocolate and drinking several cups of coffee and soft drinks during the day.
g. Stay away from alcohol
If you suffer from bruxism, you should stop drinking as it can make the problem worse.
h. Stop chewing gum
Chewing gum and non-food items like pens and pencils while writing can cause your jaws to clench and lead to teeth grinding. You should also avoid sticky or hard foods that can trigger grinding.
C. 4 Simple Ways To Cure Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Although this condition is more prevalent at night and is known as sleep bruxism, unconscious teeth grinding and clenching or waking bruxism can also occur during the day. Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder that co-occurs with conditions such as sleepwalking, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. We will look at the symptoms, causes and easy ways to cure teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding, or medically bruxism, is a condition of teeth grinding or clenching in which the upper and lower teeth constantly rub against each other. Bruxism is a common condition that affects almost one in three people of all ages, from childhood to adulthood. Children often go through a transient period of teeth grinding due to the rapid development of their teeth and jaw, with 20-30% of teeth grinding at night during sleep but tending to grow by the time they reach puberty.
1. How do we know if we’re grinding our teeth?
Unless observed and reported by others at night, many people are unaware of teeth grinding or clenching until they experience pain or discomfort. Whether you grind your teeth during the day or at night, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of the condition before it gets worse and causes complications.
A study shows that 70.3% of people report tooth wear, while 44.5% report pain in the masseter muscles among the signs and symptoms of bruxism. Because teeth grinding affects the facial bones, muscles, and nerves, especially the teeth and gums, excessive pressure over a long period of time will irritate the nerves, leading to symptoms such as increased pain or tooth sensitivity. Grinding also wears away your tooth enamel, causing your teeth to become flattened, cracked, or chipped in the process. The muscles in the jaw, neck, and face also become stiff and sore throughout the day, resulting in a dull headache that begins when chewing in the temples. Other symptoms would be disruption to sleep and daily living as this condition makes it difficult to sleep or function normally.
2. Why do we grind our teeth?
There are many biological and neurological reasons why we grind our teeth, and disease can result from more than one of these reasons. People with misaligned teeth or abnormal jaw position are prone to teeth grinding. Mental health is also a reason, especially people who are vulnerable or who have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or depression. Stress levels, which build up over time, affect your ability to sleep and relax, leading to an intensity of teeth grinding and clenching. Unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption also contribute to bruxism.
In children, studies showed that 62.5% with bruxism also had breathing problems such as asthma, respiratory disease, and respiratory infections. It has also been suggested that some children grind their teeth as a natural response to pain, particularly during teething, or even as a sign of hyperactivity or aggression. Although bruxism is a parafunctional habit over which there is no control, there are several treatment options to cure teeth grinding without resorting to cosmetic procedures, depending on the severity and intensity of the condition. Children adapt and learn quickly when they are small, so it is important to mentor and instill good dental habits in them from an early age.
a. Use a mouthguard
A widely used conventional treatment to cure teeth grinding is a night guard/custom mouthpiece or bite splint worn overnight to reduce grinding and protect teeth from further damage. While night guards don’t completely stop the crunch action, there’s a chance they may provide feedback to the central nervous system that can reduce the intensity of the crunch. A mouth guard is made at the dentist, where an impression of your teeth is taken to create a perfect fit for your teeth. Note that a mouthguard differs depending on the aligner and adapter. Your teeth grinding can wear down your aligners faster, although this may not be a big deal as a new set of aligners is usually provided every two weeks. If you grind your teeth but are considering getting aligners like invisible braces, check with your dentist about your options.
b. Relax the jaw muscles
When used in conjunction with a mouthguard, massage is effective in relieving the effects of bruxism and potentially curing teeth grinding when used properly. There are a few muscles that open and tighten the jaw—namely, the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid. Overly tight jaw muscles increase teeth grinding, so it’s good to massage them daily to release tension in the chewing muscles. Start with a jaw stretch — fully open and close your jaw for 10 reps, then open your mouth and move your jaw from side to side for another 10 reps.
After that, use your fingertips and rub down the side of the jaw in a circular motion, pressing and holding the areas with tight knots. Move from the upper jaw to the lower jaw and keep squeezing those trigger points. Moist heat therapy can also be used by applying a warm, wet compress to the jaw area, applying heat to the underlying muscles, and in turn relaxing them. This can be done as a bedtime ritual to reduce the intensity of your nighttime teeth grinding. If you’re prone to creaking and jerking during the day, you can break the habit by becoming aware of it, so make a conscious effort to recognize triggers and relax your muscles. Deliberate placement of the teeth, simply rolling the tongue until the tip touches the roof of the mouth can help to consciously space the upper and lower teeth to prevent clenching.
c. Get ready for bedtime
It’s important to have a proper sleep ritual to avoid any source of sensory stimulation before bedtime. Some of the most important things our brain easily simulates are the screens of electronic devices, so it’s a good idea to ditch TVs, computers, and phones an hour or two before bed. A warm bath would also allow the body to release tension: the transition from high to low temperature after a shower would trigger fatigue and lethargy in the body due to decreased metabolic activity. Other ways to relax your body and mind include deep breathing exercises or meditation and soft music. For some, the sound of the rain creates an environment of absolute stillness, and they can feel the tightness and tension in their bodies melt away.
d. Reduce your stress level
Stress is definitely one of the main causes of bruxism and is unavoidable in today’s global climate. While it’s almost impossible to keep someone from getting stressed, there are many stress-reducing activities like exercise, reading, and meditation that can help reduce stress. After all of this, you may still feel that things are out of your control at the moment and continue to feel overwhelmed.
3. Conclusion
Teeth grinding should not be overlooked as it can lead to bigger problems. If you experience symptoms of bruxism, see your Hope Island dentist for treatment as soon as possible.
