How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth Today
Stop Grinding Your Teeth Today
There’s no denying how hard it is to break a habit that you don’t even realize you have — especially if it usually happens when you are asleep and not aware of what you are doing.
If you have a habit of teeth grinding (also known as bruxism), the best thing you can do is consult your local dental clinic to weigh your options — because multiple things can help you put an end to the bad habit that hinders your oral health.
If you want to stop grinding your teeth, the most important thing is to spot the signs that you have the habit. According to Colgate, if you want to know if you are grinding your teeth, these are the warning signs to look out for:
- Headaches
- Sore jaw
- Wear on your teeth
- Aching facial muscles
- Stiff shoulders & back
- Ear pain
- Struggles sleeping
According to the Bruxism Association, you are three times more likely to get headaches if you are a teeth grinder. Personally, I’ve grinded my teeth for years before discovering that I did. The first signs were headaches and a sore jaw.
Of course, the one way to be sure you are grinding your teeth in your sleep is if your loved one hears it and brings it to your attention — that’s a confirmation that you can’t ignore.
Teeth grinding can also occur when you are awake, but it’s a habit that most commonly occurs when you’re asleep. These are the best options if you’re looking to stop grinding your teeth:
Occlusal Appliances
According to Colgate, the best way to protect your teeth from grinding is to wear an appliance that will ultimately keep you from wearing down your teeth with the bad habit. There are a variety of occlusal appliances that will protect your teeth, the main ones being:
- Occlusal splints
- Occlusal bite guards
- Night guards
- Bite plates
- Bruxism appliances
These appliances are commonly custom made and created from plastic. They will sit on your top or bottom teeth, and as a result, help relieve you of any facial pain caused by grinding.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are another protective appliance that will prevent any wear from teeth grinding. You can have your mouthguard custom made at a dental office, or even purchase one over the counter. Of course, a custom appliance is ideal as it’s catered to your mouth’s unique attributes.
According to Healthline, mouthguards will cushion your teeth and prevent them from grinding against each other. The nice thing about this appliance is that you usually only have to wear it in your sleep.
Biofeedback
If you’d rather a psychological approach, biofeedback will help you train yourself to stop grinding your teeth. This technique is meant to make you aware of this subconscious habit to help you limit the behaviour.
This therapy utilizes your body sensors to measure body functions. If you think this may work for you, contact a biofeedback therapist who will work with you to develop techniques to control your jaw muscle movements.
Limit Your Stress
Teeth grinding tends to be a nervous habit triggered by stress. Practices like meditation, exercise and regular therapy can help you decrease the stress that may be triggering your teeth grinding.
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Ultimately, various things can cause you to grind your teeth, and because the habit tends to be subconscious, it’s vital to consult a professional to help you put an end to it. Work with a specialist to decide the option best suited to you.
Do you grind your teeth?
Let me know, til then–cheers m’deres!
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
