Whether it is due to stress or an abnormal bite, teeth grinding is a pretty bad habit to have. Bruxism does not just damage your teeth; it can also lead to headaches and facial pain. However, if you make a true effort, you can break this harmful habit. Here are some helpful tips on how to stop grinding your teeth once and for all:
Do not Ignore Stress
Stress can trigger teeth grinding, so it is very important to get your anxiety under control. Try your best to avoid things and situations that make you anxious. For example, if you get stressed driving to work in heavy traffic, try leaving a little earlier. It is also a good idea to practice different relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and yoga. If you still can't manage your stress, you should think about talking to a therapist.
Massage Your Jaw Muscles Before Bed
Another effective way you can combat teeth grinding is to gently massage your jaw before you go to bed. Just use your fingers to massage your jaw muscles in circular motions for about 10 minutes. This will relax these muscles, reducing teeth grinding.
Get a Custom Mouth Guard
It can be difficult to control teeth grinding while you are sleeping, so talk to your dentist about a custom mouth guard. This device will fit in your mouth comfortably and keep you from clenching down on your teeth at night.
Apply Heat
About an hour before you go to bed, apply a warm, moist washcloth to your jaw for 10 minutes or so. Doing this will relax your jaw muscles and make you less likely to grind your teeth while you sleep.
Avoid Drinking Alcohol Before Bed
Alcohol might make you fall asleep, but you probably will not sleep very soundly. If your sleep is disrupted, you will be more likely to grind your teeth. To prevent this, you should stop drinking alcohol a few hours before bedtime.
Stop Chewing on Pens and Pencils
If you have a habit of chewing on pens or pencils, you should put a stop to it right now. When you chew on things that aren't food, your jaw can get used to clenching, increasing tooth grinding.
Quitting this habit may not come easy, but it can be done. If you follow these helpful tips, you can stop grinding your teeth and maintain good oral health.
Share8 January 2016
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.