If you want to know how to stop teeth grinding, call on our Houston dentists for help. Our team works to address the symptoms, issues, and impact of bruxism. Schedule your appointment today.
When you want to stop grinding your teeth, we understand the pain you experience. Also called bruxism, teeth clenching causes headaches and jaw pain throughout the day. Unfortunately, it even has the potential to break teeth, especially in your sleep.
Your dentist is there to help you ease the symptoms of teeth clenching. Moreover, they provide guidance on how to address the issue.
If you wake up to a sore jaw, a headache, or complaints from your partner about the sound of gnashing, you might have bruxism. Teeth clenching is more than a mere annoyance. It leaves behind serious damage after a while. However, the Houston dental team at FMS has your back!
Let’s explore how to stop teeth grinding and the symptoms to watch for.
What Are the Symptoms of Teeth Grinding?
Per information from The Bruxism Association, the two most common symptoms of grinding are TMJ and headaches. In fact, they say people who grind their teeth or clench their jaw are three times more likely to experience headaches.
Oftentimes, oral signs accompany these symptoms, ranging from fractured teeth and inflammation to gum recession.
- Increased sensitivity in the teeth from diminished enamel
- Soreness in the jaw
- Tight muscles around the jaw
- Chipped teeth
- Loose teeth
- Headaches that radiate from the temples
Bruxism has a broad spectrum of symptoms similar to other conditions. Moreover, people often don’t understand the cause because it occurs in their sleep. When you experience a combination of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist.
Better safe than sorry, right? Additionally, it’s good to know how to stop teeth grinding earlier rather than later.
The Impact on Your Oral Health
According to a study from the Journal of Conservative Dentistry, sleep bruxism involves much more force than regular chewing. As you chew, food buffers the chewing motion. However, when you grind your teeth in your sleep, your teeth bear the full brunt of the force.
As such, this leads to the following oral health issues.
- It wears away the enamel of your teeth.
- Your teeth and any dental equipment take damage.
- It causes pain in the teeth, even loosening them.
- Your teeth become more sensitive.
- You experience pain from clenching your jaw muscles all night.
- The headaches continue throughout the day.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
When we look into how to stop teeth grinding, it’s important to explore a multitude of causes. Here are a few common causes of sleep bruxism.
- Sleep problems
- Stress and other negative emotions
- Certain lifestyle choices (smoking, caffeine, alcohol)
- Some medications lead to bruxism
Sleep Issues
Snoring, talking in your sleep, and sleep apnea have the potential to play a role in the development of bruxism. For instance, sleep apnea impacts your breathing in your sleep, which may cause tension or panic in your body.
Negative Emotions
The four primary negative emotions that lead to sleep bruxism are stress, anger, frustration, and anxiety. When you grind your teeth in your sleep, it’s a sort of coping mechanism. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), stress is the most common link to clenching.
When you want to know how to stop teeth grinding caused by stress, it’s important to have an outlet. For some people, exercise is a great way to release endorphins to reduce stress. Others find that relaxation methods help – from warm baths to long walks.
Lifestyle Choices
Tobacco and alcohol both increase the risk of sleep bruxism. However, this isn’t the case for everyone.
Medications
Certain side effects from medications have links to bruxism. For instance, antidepressants and treatments for neurological conditions occasionally lead to grinding. It’s important to consult your doctor in these instances.
How to Stop Teeth Grinding
If you want to know how to stop teeth grinding, you probably have experience with the symptoms. Track your symptoms and speak to your dentist and physician. When you visit our dental office, we look for the common signs and symptoms.
Luckily, there are a few ways to help alleviate some of the main causes of sleep bruxism. Here are a few helpful tips.
Relaxation
The vast majority of bruxism stems from stress and anxiety. If you experience continued or generalized anxiety, talk therapy is a great way to improve your mental health or develop a plan to address your concerns.
Additionally, there are some self-care options to help you reduce your stress levels. Before you head to bed, set aside some time to unwind. A warm shower or bath helps relax the muscles. Alternatively, you might curl up with a book or practice meditation to release the stress of the day.
When we let go of stress, we reduce lingering tension in our bodies. For some people, this helps to reduce the impact of bruxism in their sleep.
Nightguard
When you experience continued clenching, speak to your dentist to discuss how to stop teeth grinding. While a night guard doesn’t stop the core issue, it offers you a way to mitigate the results.
A mouthguard fits over your teeth to protect your teeth from damage. Moreover, it reduces the pain in your jaw muscles. Some nightguards are available over-the-counter. However, a custom guard is often the better option.
Talk to your Houston dentist about the best option for your case.
Mandibular Advancement Device
A mandibular advancement device shifts your bottom jaw forward as you sleep. Oftentimes, this is a good solution for how to stop teeth grinding when a sleep disorder causes it. Additionally, they help manage sleep apnea or snoring.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t cure bruxism. However, it redistributes the force to mitigate the damage of your grinding force.
How to Stop Teeth Grinding with Your Dentist
When bruxism leads to broken crowns or chipped teeth, it’s possible to restore your oral health. Moreover, orthodontic treatment has the potential to help adjust your bite. In certain cases, this correction addresses certain problems.
When you want to stop grinding your teeth, remember that your dentist is ready to help you. Put an end to bruxism to alleviate pain and preserve your teeth! Talk to your dentist today to begin your treatment!