Teeth grinding or bruxism can lead to severe consequences and disrupt your dental health. Although it is natural to clench your teeth; however, sustained teeth grinding can lead to tooth damage and produce symptoms that produce detrimental consequences throughout the day.
If you clench your teeth while sleeping, the condition is called sleep bruxism; however, if you clench your teeth when awake, the situation is referred to as awake bruxism. Headaches and a sore jaw are common symptoms of bruxism.
If you grind your teeth, whether while sleeping or when awake, and want to get rid of this habit, certain remedies are available for that. Continue reading to learn about some of the best and easy treatments to get rid of bruxism.
How to Stop Cope with Teeth Grinding or Bruxism?
Here are a few easy treatments available for bruxism.
- Use Mouthguards
Mouthguards are a type of occlusal splint that work best for sleep bruxism. These guards nullify the effect of grinding or clenching by acting as a cushion and stopping them from grinding against each other when you are sleeping. You have to wear these teeth grinding guards on your teeth while sleeping.
Mouthguards can either be custom-made or purchased over the counter (OTC). Custom-made mouthguards are ideal for protecting your teeth against chronic sleep bruxism. In addition to that, these mouthguards also minimize the strain on your jaw. SportingSmiles is known for proving the best teeth grinding guards.
- Do Muscle Stretching Exercises
Muscle stretching exercises are a great way of reducing discomfort related to tooth grinding. The exercises you can perform are:
- Teeth placement
Mindful teeth placement can help in easing the situation related to teeth grinding. Maintain a proper gap between your upper and lower teeth. This gap will help in avoiding grinding or clenching. Do this exercise all the time except for chewing.
- Jaw Exercise
Open your mouth as wide as you can. Try to touch your tongue to your front teeth. This is the best exercise to relax your jaw muscles.
- Reduce Stress
Mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression are the underlying causes of bruxism. For most people, teeth grinding or clenching is strongly linked to increased stress and anxiety. So, implementing stress reduction techniques can help in improving your overall health.
Meditation and yoga can be the best stress reduction techniques. If you want to meditate, sit in a quiet and comfortable place for some time. Do not allow your thoughts to wander and try to empty your mind. Similarly, indulging in a healthy activity or doing regular exercise can help reduce stress, which in turn helps ward off symptoms related to bruxism.
- Eat Foods Rich in Magnesium Content
Magnesium is an essential mineral that regulates mood. You must develop a habit of consuming foods rich in magnesium content, such as roasted almonds, boiled spinach, fish, bananas, peanut butter, and flaxseed.
These foods will relax your muscle tissues and blood vessels and help prevent grinding caused by tight or spasming jaw muscles. You can also take magnesium supplements; however, it is advised to consult your doctor before taking any of these supplements.
- Drink Turmeric Milk
Turmeric milk is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties which aid in relieving your aching jaw muscles. Furthermore, the amino acid tryptophan in milk helps relax your nervous system and promote sleep. You can add honey to turmeric milk, sweeten the milk and improve its taste. Drink a glass of this milk daily before going to bed. Within a few weeks, you will experience the desired results.
- Warm Compress
Lie down and rest one side of your face on a heating pad. Apply a warm compress for 10-15 minutes. Repeat the same procedure for the other side. If you clench your teeth unconsciously, a warm compress can relax your muscles and increase blood circulation in that particular area.
Final Words
Teeth clenching or bruxism is a common issue. You can easily prevent this issue by adopting the treatment procedures discussed above. If you are experiencing difficulty avoiding this issue, consult a professional dentist and discuss your case with him. The doctor will thoroughly examine your situation and suggest the best treatment.
