Grinding teeth, known medically as bruxism, is caused by involuntary clenching or gnashing of the teeth. Most of the population grind teeth from time to time, but as many as 5 percent of people do it habitually. Teeth grinding is commonly a sign of stress, anger or anxiety while some physical issues such as illness, nutritional deficiency and medical conditions, heavy mental concentration or physical effort of stress are also to blame. In most cases people can help themselves stop grinding teeth by several remedies.
How to Stop Grinding Teeth: 6 Effective Methods for You
1. Keep Teeth Apart
You should only allow your teeth to touch if you are chewing or swallowing. Be conscious about keeping your teeth situated so they are apart to cut down on the risk of grinding them. Mouth guards made from hard acrylic can be made to fit the upper and lower teeth so you cannot grind your teeth together when you clench your jaw. Splints will fit over the front teeth to separate the molars, creating a similar protection.
2. Use Effective Devices
You can work with a psychologist or take an assertiveness course to learn techniques like self-hypnosis or guided imagery that you can use to relax and help you manage the stressors in your life more effectively. These devices will sense muscle activities and monitor them. They will be triggered by tensing in the jaw muscles, setting off an alarm that will help you note that you are grinding your teeth in your sleep by pulsing the facial muscles. These pulses will help to slow the response of the muscles so they will relax, avoiding the involuntary response.
3. Adopt a Healthy Diet
Increasing the intake of magnesium or calcium can help relax the jaw so you do not grind teeth. This condition is commonly caused by gastric disorders that are treated with these supplements. Constantly eating foods like nuts or candy will make you more likely to grind your teeth. Make a point of increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables to cut down on this risk. Make a point of chewing your food properly and swallowing carefully will also help you avoid gastric issues that can make you grind your teeth.
4. Relax Jaw Muscles
If you know you grind your teeth, think of ways you can remind yourself to relax your jaw. Place notes in places you are likely to see them, tie a string around your finger or use other memory techniques to remind yourself to stop clenching.Icing or applying warm, moist compresses or a heating pad to the jaw muscles will help relax the muscles so you will stop grinding your teeth. Gently massaging the jaw muscles can also relieve stress.
5. Seek Medical Help
Analgesics like ibuprofen can help relax your stiff muscles and cut down on the pain associated with teeth grinding. Botox will weaken the masseter muscles, which will reduce the contractions of the temporalis muscles in the jaw. Some have found that this treatment can help you avoid straining the jaw, avoiding the muscle tension, migraines and teeth grinding associated with this condition. If your teeth grinding is severe your dentist can reduce the side of the jaw or use crowns to reshape your teeth to prevent grinding.
6. Take Preventive Measures
The more stressed you are the more likely you are to clench your jaw. Use relaxation techniques to rid yourself of added stress so you will stop grinding your teeth. Constantly chewing foods like crusty bread, steak, gum, popcorn or others that require a great deal of chewing can tire out your jaw, particularly when it is already sore. Give your jaw time to relax so you will not have to deal with discomfort. Exercising and stretching the muscles as well as getting enough sleep will also be helpful.
Do you now you can stop grinding teeth by practicing face yoga? Check out the video below to see how exactly it works: