Grinding your teeth, commonly known as bruxism, can have serious implications for your oral health. While it’s natural to clench your teeth now and then, doing so on a regular basis can create damage and discomfort that lasts throughout the day.
As most teeth grinding happens at night while sleeping, many people are unaware that they are doing so. Headaches and a painful jaw are common bruxism symptoms. It’s possible that people will tell you that they hear you grinding your teeth at night. Go through the sections below to know how to stop grinding your teeth at all times of the day and night.
How To Stop Teeth Grinding?
Almost every kind of issue can be resolved by adopting a few measures, and teeth grinding is no exception. The best dentists in Airdrie have come up with tips to cope with the problem of teeth grinding. If you’re experiencing this issue, take a moment to read the pointers below and make them a part of your daily routine.
- Do use a mouthguard – Grinding your teeth on a regular basis can wear down the enamel on your teeth, making them more sensitive to cavities. Sleeping with a mouth guard will, fortunately, protect your teeth. Our dentists can create a customized mouth guard for you that will keep your teeth secure all night. A custom-made guard will be more comfortable than store-bought one-size-fits-all protection, which may not fit as snugly. One of the most effective ways to manage sleep bruxism is to wear a mouth guard every night.
- Do relax before bedtime – Before you go to bed, all of the tension in your jaw must be released. Try one or more of the following techniques – Make sure to take a warm bath before going off to sleep. This will help to relax your jaw muscles. Also, apply a heating pad or a warm, damp towel to your jaw to relieve the pain. You can also warm up your tongue with herbal, caffeine-free tea.
- Do exercise regularly – Add a couple of sweat workouts to your weekly routine if you don’t already do so. Stress is a common cause of bruxism, which manifests as tooth grinding. Exercising will help you relax and de-stress.
- Try to be conscious of your clenching – You might not even realize if you are grinding your teeth all day. To help you relax and let go of anxiety, practice mindfulness many times a day. You’ll notice that your teeth grinding becomes more noticeable in certain situations or at certain times of the day. Stop it by dropping your jaw and letting it hang for a few moments when you notice it happening. Move it slowly at first, then attempt to keep your jaw relaxed.
- You can also massage your jaw – When confronted with a stressful circumstance, do you notice your jaw clenching up throughout the day? If this is the case, relax your face and massage your jaw muscles. The tension that has built up throughout the day will be relieved by rubbing.
- Do avoid chewy food items – On days when your bruxism has flared up, make sure to avoid eating steak, popcorn, and taffy. These foods necessitate a lot of chewing and will wear out your jaw even more.
We hope that you have now gained a clear understanding of the ways to stop teeth grinding. If the problem doesn’t get resolved even after adopting these measures, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our dentists at Airdrie Springs Dental Clinic will also talk to you in person to make you aware of the signs of teeth grinding.
What Are The Bad Outcomes Of Teeth Grinding?
Although teeth grinding may appear to cause just minor discomfort, it can cause serious and apparent negative consequences. Allowing your bruxism to continue can lead to other health problems a few months or years down the road. Here are some of the problems that can arise as a result of bruxism.
- Chipped, cracked, or damaged teeth
- Severe damage to the enamel (outermost layer of the human teeth)
- Be the reason for tiredness in your jaw muscles
- Facing the problem of increased sensitivity and pain
- Tremendous headache
- Not getting proper sleep at night
Do remember that all the above-mentioned problems can be avoided with ease. All you need to do is act on the issue as early as possible.
Looking for a dentist near Airdrie location to consult, book an appointment at Airdrie Springs Dental. We offer a wide range of top-quality dental treatments under the same roof. Call us today to schedule your visit.
