What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. Teeth grinding is one person’s behavior, that is grinding or clenching their teeth while they are asleep at night. However, bruxism also happens on people during the day when they are awake, but they commonly do it unconsciously. Bruxism that happens at night when you are asleep is called sleep bruxism. Of course people with bruixsm habit don’t realize what they are doing. They don’t know the reasons why they do it.
Teeth Grinding Causes
There is no specific research conducted on this topic to finding the underlying causes of bruxism. In case of sleep bruxism, it is finally concluded as a sleep-related movement disorder. Both sleep bruxism and bruxism that is done when the sufferers are awake, doctors associate it with physical or psychological causes. Mayo Clinic has a thorough and good depth analysis in identifying bruxism. They conclude that people who clench their teeth are those who have:
- emotional stress, such as anxiety, anger, frustation, or tension.
- hyperactive personality type, including autism.
- malocclusion
- sleep problems
- earache or teething in children
- stomach acid reflux into the esophagus
- psychiatric medications
- other kinds of disorder, such as Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.
Age and Stimulant
Other than those physiological and psychological causes, bruxism is triggered by several factors. Bruxism on young adult is stimulated by smoking habit, drinking coffee or alcohol, and taking illegal drugs such as ecstasy. Young children commonly have sleep bruxism, but it goes when they grow up.
Teeth Grinding Effects on Someone’s Health
Mild teeth grinding may cause no effect on someone’s health, but the severe case usually brings about health problem, such as:
- increasing tooth sensitivity
- jaw or face pain
- tired jaw muscles
- pain like earache, but there’s no problem with the ear
- headache
- indentations on tongue
- worn tooth enamel
Temporomandibular Joints Disorder
The most severe complication of bruxism is the temporomandibular joints disorder (TMD), that is clicking sound you can hear when you open or close your mouth. TMD results in serious headache, tinnitus, jaw pain, and facial pain.
Medication
Bruxism sufferers will look for some medication or see the doctor when they have experienced one or more of the above health problems.
Mouth guard or mouth splints are solutions that your doctor would give. If you have no TMD symptoms, a mouth guard that should be used at night is going to prescribe, but for those of you who have TMD problems, your doctor would make a mouth splint with a specific design that has been adjusted to your jaws, and you are suggested to use it day and night.
How to Stop Clenching Teeth while Sleeping
A mouth guard that is used at night to help people with bruxism is designed to even out the pressure across your jaw. This mouth guard creates physical barrier between upper and lower teeth, gives good protection to your teeth from further damage. Most interestingly, your wife or husband would not hear the sound of clenching teeth anymore.
This is a mouth guard that has basic principle like a boxer’s mouth guard but with some modifications. This mouth guard is made from bendy rubber or plastic. Your doctor will fit it to your mouth. If you don’t want to spend money to make a doctor visit and waste your precious time in the waiting room, you can go to a local pharmacist to get the mouth guard. Even now you can order the mouth guard online.
Pro Teeth Guard
Pro Teeth Guard is a good place to stop by. They have professional quality mouth guard and mouth splint that is same as the dentist’s. They offer money back guarantee for every mouth guard you purchase. If you find it uncomfortable or does not perfectly fit to your mouth, you will get refund.
Teeth Night Guard
Teeth Night Guard is a good alternative for a wider choice of mouth guard and mouth splints. Their guards and splints are more than dentist quality, but are custome made to fit to customer’s mouth perfectly. As for splints choices they call it custom teeth day slim guards. Go nowhere to get dental guard cleaner and professional teeth whitening system, for all you need is here.
How to Stop Grinding Teeth at Night Naturally
There are many things to do to stop grinding teeth at night naturally. These are what you can do.
- Meditation, yoga, hypnotherapy
- Massage or relaxation
- Listening to calm music before bed
- Do stress management
People who grind their teeth while they are awake, they have to break the habit. Being more aware of your habit is important. Relax your jaw anytime you get psychological stress. Always remember to open your jaw slightly or place your tongue between upper and lower teeth.
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