Bruxism 101: Tips for Treating Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching

If you are like a large percentage of Americans, then you are probably suffering from stress. While we think that stress only takes a toll on our mental health, our minds and bodies are so closely entwined that what affects one can have disastrous consequences for the other. One common effect of chronic stress is called bruxism, a disorder in which patients grind their teeth, clench their jaws, or both. People who grind or clench often do it without noticing, or they do it at night, causing chronic pain in the jaws and face. Bruxism can also cause fatigue, damage teeth, and could lead to the complete deterioration of the jaw joint over time. If you suspect that you grind or clench at night, here are some tips for relieving the pain and stopping the habit.

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1. Become aware. If you sleep with a partner, ask him or her to note if you grind your teeth at night. If you wake up in the morning with a tired and strained jaw, this is another sign that you are grinding or clenching. Except for eating or talking, when you aren’t otherwise using your jaw, your upper and lower teeth should not be touching. If they are, and you don’t even notice it, then you’ve been clenching.

2. Visit a dentist and inquire about a mouth guard. If you’ve been grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw for a prolonged period of time, a mouth guard will correct the positioning of your teeth and protect them at night. Ask your dentist to determine if you need a mouth guard, which he can create to custom fit your bite. Mouth guards and splints are available over-the-counter and come at a fraction of the price, but they may not be as effective.

3. Avoid gum, popcorn, or any foods that require lots of chewing. To lessen the headaches and pains that are often caused by bruxism, it’s important to avoid unnecessary strain placed on your jaw muscles as much as possible, especially when you’re first starting to correct the problem.

4. Get serious about treating stress. Unless you’ve had a serious accident that has damaged your jaw, the leading cause of bruxism is extremely unhealthy levels of chronic stress. Since stress is the underlying cause of bruxism, the only way to treat the problem effectively over the long term is to engage in stress management techniques. Eat healthy meals, engage in regular exercise, sleep regularly for at least seven hours a night, and try relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga.

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