Are you looking for ways to cure that habit you have of grinding your teeth while you sleep? Are you tired of waking up with chronic headaches? If so, then you need to learn how to stop bruxism.
This is generally a habit that's formed by high levels of stress. If not corrected, it can quickly cause damaged teeth, tension headaches, and so much more. Fortunately, there are ways you can go about stopping it.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to stop bruxism and take back control of a good night's sleep. Be sure to use this information to your advantage.
What is Bruxism?
First, let's start by learning about what bruxism is and why it's important to put an end to it.
Experts define bruxism as a condition where the patient has a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, often subconsciously. Typically bruxism occurs during the night, but it can also apply to those that have a habit of doing it whenever they're stressed.
There are many times in which bruxism becomes a byproduct of sleep apnea, but that isn't always the case. Studies have shown that it's mainly attached to patients that experience high amounts of stress and anxiety.
The solutions for bruxism vary by condition. The most successful and proven bruxism cure is to invest in a bruxism mouthguard. We'll cover that more in a minute.
But others believe that it can also be cured by finding ways to relieve the pent-up stress by way of exerting more energy. That includes exercise, yoga, meditation, and so forth.
Below, we're going to list some of what experts believe to be the most effective solutions to bruxism. We highly recommend that you start with step one—investing in a bruxism mouth guard—then use the other methods as a way of relieving your stress.
How to Stop Bruxism
As previously mentioned, bruxism is often attached to high levels of stress. Many patients report bucking the trend of gnashing their teeth at night, then have it come back whenever they feel overly anxious at work.
See below for several steps you can take to stop bruxism and cease the damage that it's doing to your health.
1. Invest in a Bruxism Mouth Guard
This should be prefaced by saying that you should seek out the care of an advanced Dentist in the Philadelphia, PA area. They understand the cause of bruxism and what you can do to protect your teeth at night.
Whether or not you need a bruxism mouth guard depends on the severity. However, we recommend that you always use it as a preventative measure.
Contrary to popular belief, you won't have to wear a big, bulky mouthguard while you sleep. We can create custom bruxism mouthguards that vary in thickness to make sure you stay comfortable while you sleep!
2. Buck the Trend
You might not realize it, but there are several habits you could be performing during the day that's leading to your teeth grinding at night.
Try to avoid any situation in which you're biting or chewing on something that isn't food. That includes chewing gum, biting your nails, or simply clenching your teeth at different points throughout the day.
If you train your body to perform these subconscious habits during the day, you can bet they'll occur at night as well. Bucking the trend during the day will help you clench your teeth less at night.
3. Get More Exercise
If you feel like you get adequate exercise throughout the day, then this might not be what's leading to your bruxism at night.
For those of you that notice you're going to bed at night feeling pent-up, try to keep yourself moving throughout the day. Pick up a new training routine, go for walks during your work break, take the kids to the park to run around.
Studies have shown that exercise helps boost your endorphin levels (the feel-good hormone), which in turn, will reduce your stress and anxiety. Less stress will hopefully correlate to minimum teeth grinding at night.
4. Reduce Caffeine Intake
Many of you will say that caffeine is an important part of your day. Certain amounts of caffeine can certainly give you an energy boost.
However, caffeine in excess can harm your mental health. Studies show that too much caffeine can raise your cortisol levels, which will lead to chronic stress.
As a general rule of thumb, try cutting yourself off from caffeine around 8 hours before you intend on going to bed that night. This will help you lower your intake and minimize the likelihood of grinding your teeth due to stress-related factors.
5. Schedule Frequent Dental Checkups
Bruxism or not, you should always schedule (and attend) frequent checkups with your dentist.
If you aren't sure whether you have bruxism or not, your dentist can help identify the common signs on your teeth. Once you know for sure, they can give you solutions for your problem.
Also, if bruxism has been taking a toll on your teeth for a while, your dentist will make sure to give your teeth the treatment they need.
How to Stop Bruxism: Find a Trusted Dentist
Now that you have seen how to stop bruxism and several ways to relieve stress, be sure to start with step one and contact a trusted dentist.
If your teeth are worn out from years of bruxism torture, then veneers might be a great option to get your smile back. See this article for more information on veneers.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.
