Have you ever found yourself clenching your teeth unconsciously? It may be a sign of Bruxism. Many people consciously and subconsciously grind their teeth. They do not realize that this problem can have far-reaching results when it comes to oral health. In fact, some people don’t even know that they suffer from this condition because they mostly do it when they are asleep. However, many do it during the daytime as well.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding can be caused by multiple reasons. These include:
- Anxiety and stress
- The use of certain medications
- Sleep problems, such as OSA, sleep paralysis, and snoring
- Smoking, drinking, and drugs
Signs of Bruxism
Some of the common signs of grinding teeth are:
- Pain in the face, shoulder, and neck areas
- Pain in the jaw
- Broken teeth lead to increased sensitivity
- Earache
- Headache
- Disturbed sleep
How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth?
Here are some of the ways you can prevent teeth grinding and stay protected against the harmful effects of this condition:
Mouthguards
One of the most common ways to stop teeth grinding in sleep is wearing Mouthguards. This is basically a type of occlusal splint that cushions the teeth and prevents them from grinding, particularly when you’re sleeping.
They are easily available over the counter or you can get custom-made from your dentist. Although expensive, we recommend the latter option since the mouthguard is tailored to fit the patient’s mouth. This reduces the discomfort associated with wearing it up to a great extent.
Botox
Yes, it’s true. Botox can also help to stop teeth from grinding. It is basically an anti-aging treatment that has proven effective in relaxing the facial muscles as well. This results in preventing Bruxism.
During this treatment, the specialist injects small amounts of botulinum toxin into the large muscle of the face (masseter) that’s responsible for moving the jaw. However, it’s still an ongoing study and experts believe more research is required concerning its effectiveness and safety for bruxism treatment. This is why it is important to discuss the pros and cons of Botox with your doctor before getting it.
An important thing you need to know here is that Botox does not permanently prevent Bruxism. Its effects only last for a few months, and the patient is required to get these injections again.
Stress-reduction Techniques
If stress and anxiety are the main causes of Bruxism, your doctor may suggest some stress-reduction techniques to get rid of this problem. The best part here is that these techniques can also help to improve your overall health.
Some common stress-reduction techniques doctors recommend giving a try are:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Talk Therapy
- Exercise
Exercises for Tongue and Jaw Muscle
Performing different exercises for tongue and jaw muscles can relax them. It also benefits facial muscles and the proper alignment of the jaw. The ideal thing to do is to perform these exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist, but you can do them at home as well.
If the situation still persists despite following these remedies, schedule a visit to your dentist. They will recommend the right teeth treatment to deal with Bruxism.