How to Prevent Teeth Grinding? The Top Tips

We often grind or clean our teeth when we anxious or nervous but not otherwise. Do you sometimes get up in the night and realise that you have been grinding your teeth? This phenomenon is known as bruxism, which is characterized by rhythmic grinding action by applying pressure on the gums.
It is a common sleeping disorder and affects around 10 per cent of adults and 15 per cent children. Bruxism can develop at any age. People who have teeth grinding in their family have a 50 per cent chance of developing it as it can occur any age.
How to identify you suffer from bruxism?
Often your dentist will identify bruxism during a regular dental check-up as it causes irregular loss of enamel. Are you unsure you have bruxism? Look out for these symptoms –
• Cracked teeth
• Pain in the jaw or facial muscles
• Headaches in the morning
• Teeth impressions on your tongue
• Loose tooth
• Sensitive gums
Hurry and visit your dentist immediately on identifying three or more persistent symptoms to stop it from happening.
How to stop teeth grinding?
Using a mouth guard while sleeping will help distribute to the pressure and prevent the upper and lower coming in contact with each other. A mouth guard will also reduce the grinding sound you make in the night. It is inexpensive but might not perfectly fit your teeth.
Another option is a mouth splint, which is made of plastic and perfectly fits your upper and lower teeth. It is most effective than a mouth guard. You will have to custom-make it and that will obviously cost a lot.
Look at the bigger picture
Once you have taken necessary steps to reduce teeth grinding in the night, it is time you investigate why is that happening to you. Identify the underlying cause. If you are stressed, you can talk to a person about it. Do yoga and meditation so that it will make you feel better. Listen to some soft music and read a novel.
If anxiety is the reason that causes you to grind your teeth, find the reason behind it. Take psychological help if you feel the need.
Teeth grinding can also be caused due to certain sleeping pills. If you feel that is the reason, ask your general physician to change the medication.
How to treat dental problems caused by teeth grinding?
If your teeth are chipped, cracked, or misaligned due to grinding you will require reconstructive dental treatment to rectify it. If a tooth is badly chipped or cracked and the dentist thinks it will only cause a lot of problems in the future, he will suggest you to remove it and place a false tooth.
Fix an appointment with your dentist at the first warning signs, to ensure that you get the right dental treatment, on time.