Teeth Grinding (also known as bruxism) is a problem that so many people face. Whether you grind your teeth while you sleep, when you’re nervous or anxious, or you have a crooked tooth that gets in your way. Grinding your teeth frequently can cause teeth to become damaged and other oral complications can arise. Since teeth grinding is something that is very common, but not often talked about, we have come up with some tips you can try to help you stop grinding your teeth.

If stress or anxiety is what makes you grind your teeth, as it does for so many others, there are many things you can do that can minimize the frequency of grinding. One of these tips is to find another way to cope with stress. Try running, stress counseling, or anything to help focus your stress, instead of ignoring it and grinding your teeth.

If you have a crooked tooth that gets it your way, bring it up to your dentist. Trying to grind the tooth yourself is going to cause many problems to your other teeth. Let your dentist know what is bothering you and they might be able to cosmetically fix the issue. Your dentist should always be aware of any tooth problem you are having.

Some other helpful tips to reduce teeth grinding is to avoid caffeine. Cut back on coffee, sodas, and chocolate. Caffeine is known to make some people jittery, which can lead to teeth grinding. Another beverage to avoid is alcohol. Alcohol tends to intensify teeth grinding, especially at night. Do not chew on objects that are no food, such as pencils or pens. Another item that can worsen teeth grinding is gum. Gum can get your jaw used to the grinding sensation, which will cause you to unknowingly grind your teeth.

If you catch yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth throughout the day, try to relax your jaw. The best way to do this is to place the tip of your tongue between your top and bottom teeth. This will naturally relax your jaw and stop grinding in its tracks. Also relax your jaw muscles before you go to sleep by holding a warm washcloth over the side of your jaw between your teeth and your mouth.

Teeth grinding during the night is extremely common, however you might not know that it is happening. One sign that you grind your teeth in your sleep is a full constant headache or sore jaw when you wake up. The best way to stop teeth grinding while you sleep is to get a mouth guard from your dentist. This will not allow you to grind your teeth while you are wearing them. Your dentist can help you choose the right mouth guard and show you how to wear it.

Teeth grinding is an issue that many people have and should be taken seriously. If you have questions about teeth grinding, want a mouth guard, or need to make an appointment, give us a call 209-537-5783.