7 Tips to Fight Bruxism

Excessive grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaws can be common among children or adults. Such a practice can be detrimental to your teeth and jaws. With the advancement of dental science, there is a treatment for all dental ailments. Jaw pain and teeth sensitivity is a common phenomenon that can be treated by dentists.

Children might develop the habit of clenching or grinding their teeth while sleeping. Teeth grinding or bruxism might be encountered without any symptoms, while others might have headaches, jaw pain, tooth pain, or other dental problems. Teeth sensitivity might also be another visible symptom of bruxism.

What is Bruxism?

The grinding of teeth during the night or day is termed as bruxism. The clenching of teeth might be caused by anxiety and stress and can occur even during sleep. Such grinding of the teeth can cause cuts of the oral cavity or painful jaws. The primary reason for such grinding of teeth during sleep might be sleep disorders like sleep apnea. Since most of the clenching of teeth occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they have developed the habit of grinding teeth.

The Symptoms of Bruxism

A dull constant headache accompanied by a sore jaw on waking up can be the telltale symptom of bruxism. If you suspect of grinding teeth during sleep, you should consult your dentist. Such practice might cause severe damage to the teeth, jaws, and the oral cavity.

Grinding your teeth can damage the teeth and result in fracturing, losing the dental roots, or permanent teeth loss. Regular clenching of the teeth can cause permanent damage to the dental roots, and you might need a root canal treatment to set it right.

The continuous stress caused due to grinding the teeth might lead to TMJ, and jaw pain would be the primary symptom. The other symptoms of bruxism include:

• Pain in the facial cavity.
• Aches in the ear.
• Severe or moderate headaches.
• Disrupted sleep due to continuous grinding of teeth.
• Worn-out teeth that increases tooth sensitivity.
• Broken teeth or a lost dental filling
• Pain or stiffness of the jaws, which might also lead to TMJ.

The Treatment

The primary job of the dentist is to determine the reasons for the grinding of teeth. Even if night guards or mouthguards are incorporated, but clenching of teeth would damage them. So, the dentist needs to find out the reasons for the grinding of teeth.

Recent studies have revealed that grinding of teeth is linked with stress and anxiety. You might need to devise ways to reduce anxiety to nullify the clenching of teeth. The continuous pressure exerted on the teeth and jaws due to teeth’s grinding is the primary reason for bruxism.

Dentists might prescribe some antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to reduce the grinding of teeth. Sleep disorders should be addressed to reduce the clenching of teeth. Obstructive sleep apnea might also be the reason for teeth grinding.

Sleep paralysis or hallucination might also cause teeth clenching. Recreational drugs, smoking, or drinking can make the grinding of teeth worse. The children are more prone to teeth grinding during the transition phase from milk teeth to permanent teeth.

Splints and mouthguards are dental prostheses that can be used on the prescription of the dentist. Mouthguards and night guards are one of the best bruxism treatments. These are designed to keep the teeth separated and avoid the damage caused by teeth grinding stress and pressure.

Tips to Avoid Bruxism

• Avoid alcohol as grinding intensifies after drinking.
• Avoid chocolates and reduce the consumption of caffeinated beverages.
• Training yourself not to grind or clench your teeth.
• Relax your jaw muscles by performing exercises.
• Not chewing anything other than food as biting nails or pens.
• Reduce stress and anxieties by practicing relaxation techniques.
• Practice good sleeping techniques.

In severe tooth sensitivity cases, the dentist might need to reshape your teeth’s chewing surfaces to repair the sensitivity. A lost filling should be attended to reduce increasing chances of bruxism immediately. With in-house specialists and the incorporation of advanced technology, you can get multispecialty dental care at KK Dental. With multiple locations and flexible hours, you can acquire comprehensive dental care here.