Grinding your teeth, or bruxism, is an issue that many people around the world deal with. It occurs during the day and even at night, putting a substantial amount of pressure on your teeth and increasing the chances of cracks developing. The good news is there are excellent teeth grinding remedies you can turn to that offer the relief you need.
Understanding Bruxism: Signs and Symptoms of Teeth Grinding
Bruxism is the act of regularly grinding or clenching your teeth together. Most people grind their teeth every once in a while, but if you do so every day, you are putting a lot of stress on your teeth as well as your jaw.
Common signs and symptoms of teeth grinding include:
- Wear on teeth
- Sleeping issues
- Jaw locking
- Teeth cracks
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- TMJ
- Pain while eating
- Loose teeth
- Earaches
Bruxism can be a result of lifestyle habits, including smoking, experiencing stress, drinking a lot of caffeine, and drinking alcohol.¹ Certain medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can also cause teeth grinding.
Bruxism can also be a result of a sleep disorder.
Getting Relief From Bruxism
Remedies for bruxism involve lifestyle changes as well as dental appliances, depending on the severity of the condition and your preferences.
Stress Management Techniques
Stress affects all aspects of your well-being and can cause or worsen bruxism. You want to incorporate stress management techniques into your life. Some options can be as simple as adding a few minutes of breathing exercises to your day, while more intensive options can involve cognitive-behavioral therapy to help you manage your daily stress levels.
Exercise also helps you reduce stress levels because your body creates feel-good hormones when you exercise.
Spending time outside is another way of lowering your stress levels.
Dental Appliances for Teeth Grinding
If you have night bruxism, you may want to get dental appliances that you can wear so you don’t grind your teeth as you sleep.
Nightguards separate your teeth with a layer of plastic, ensuring that they do not grind against each other. These appliances cover all of your teeth in one arch.
You can get over-the-counter nightguards, but they will not fit as well as custom-made guards provided by a professional. Custom-made options fit more tightly to ensure they stay in place as you sleep. They tend to be much more durable as well.
The Impact Teeth Grinding Has on Oral Health
Teeth grinding can impact the health of your teeth because it wears down the enamel. That can lead to flattened surfaces that give you an uneven bite. Enamel damage also makes your teeth more sensitive to cold and heat while having less protection against bacteria.
Tooth cracks and fractures are another of the worrying effects of teeth grinding on oral health. The pressure you put on your teeth can lead to fractures, and even small ones make it easier for bacteria to cause damage.
Uneven surfaces or even small cracks make it more difficult for your toothbrush to remove all food particles, which can attract more bacteria.
Bruxism can also lead to gum problems. Teeth grinding can contribute to gum recession, exposing tooth roots and leading to increased sensitivity, decay risks, and more.
TMJ is another condition that can be caused by teeth grinding. The pressure you put on your jaw and the jaw joint can cause pain and limit jaw movement.
If you have dental implants or dental crowns, teeth grinding can chip these, too.
Getting Help for Teeth Grinding
If you have any signs of bruxism or if you catch yourself grinding your teeth often, reach out to professionals for help. At Empire Dental Care, Dr. Tehila Cohen and her team can help with all manner of dental issues. By offering gentle care and reliable services that focus just as much on prevention as on treatment, she can help you find the teeth-grinding remedies you need.
Contact Empire Dental Care today to get started. 585-671-1650
Sources:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27522154/