The medical term for teeth grinding is “bruxism.” Many of us do it without even realizing it. In fact, a lot of people do it in their sleep, which is called sleep bruxism.
If you are waking up with a headache and a sore jaw, then there’s a possibility that you’re grinding your teeth.
The main reasons for teeth grinding include:
- Stress
- Not taking proper care of your teeth
- Avoiding dental check-ups
- Eating food that damages teeth
Many people tend to neglect this condition because they are unaware of its impact on dental health. There may not be a medical cure to this, but there are various ways to reduce and even eliminate teeth grinding completely.
Let’s have a look at some of the ways in which teeth grinding can be treated.
Reducing Stress
Stress is one of the most common reasons of falling prey to bruxism. You must take steps to reduce stress if you wish to reduce teeth grinding.
To deal with bruxism that results from stress, one needs to indulge in stress management activities and then re-examine the scenario to see if it helped reduce the grinding.
Stress levels can be reduced by taking care of simple things such as getting sufficient sleep or taking part in regular exercise like yoga.
Consuming Healthy Foods
Junk foods not only impact your oral health but can also cause you stress. As a result, eliminating – or at least minimizing – these foods can help alleviate the occurrence of bruxism.
Instead, munch on healthy fruits and vegetables which can have a very good effect on your health. In addition to this, you might concentrate on avoiding unhealthy foods, such as foods that are rich in sugars or that stick to your teeth.
Avoiding Caffeinated or Alcoholic Beverages
Drinks having caffeine such as coffee or chocolate shakes further increase your grinding habit and lead to more problems. Decrease the consumption of such drinks to reduce teeth grinding.
Exercising Before Going to Bed
There are exercises to help you reduce teeth grinding. It’s all about relaxing your jaws.
One simple exercise is to place a warm washcloth over your cheek and let it rest there. You can also have someone massage your neck and shoulders thoroughly to get you relaxed. You can even listen to music as a means of letting stress go and relaxing.
Seeing a Dentist For Teeth Grinding
Excessive teeth grinding can lead to cracked or broken teeth. Your dentist can diagnose any issues, and offer solutions such as crowns or bridges to repair any damage that may have been done to your teeth.
If you are experiencing symptoms of teeth grinding or Bruxism, such as waking up with headaches, tooth or jaw pain, it’s time to see your dentist. With a general examination, your dentist can diagnosis your problem and offer ways to help you to reduce or get rid of your habit of teeth grinding.