Essential Tips to Overcome Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common issue that can disrupt a night of peaceful sleep and cause pain that lingers into the daytime hours. While most people grind their teeth when they are asleep, there are things you can do when you are awake to overcome this issue. For most people, using several or all of these strategies is effective for giving your relief from the symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Practice Good Stress Management
If you catch yourself gritting your teeth during a stressful conversation, then you may already know that you use oral behaviors to relieve your stress. Replacing this behavior with safer ones can help you stop causing damage to your teeth. For instance, you might find that using warm compresses on your jaw or special exercises helps you to relax the muscles that tend to tense up when you grind your teeth.
Treat a Misaligned Bite
In some cases, teeth and jaw misalignments can trigger bruxism. This is because your jaw may try to get into the proper position once you try to relax. Visiting your dentist for a full exam can help you determine if you might benefit from orthodontic care that helps to get your teeth into better alignment. Clear aligner trays are an option that you might be able to use to correct your misaligned bite with minimal disruption to your lifestyle.
Seek Treatment For TMJ
Grinding your teeth is one of the signs of having TMJ. You may need treatment for this condition if you sense tension in your jaw or notice clicking or popping sounds when you move your mouth. Dentists perform thorough exams and use imaging tests such as X-rays to check for issues with your jaw. Depending upon the severity of your symptoms, you may need special TMJ care that can include physical therapy and using an oral appliance to promote better jaw positioning.
Use a Mouthguard
Managing teeth grinding can take time, which means that you may need to protect your teeth while you work on limiting the behavior. Although you’ll find DIY mouthguard kits, these aren’t as effective because they don’t provide the most comfortable fit possible. Your dentist can provide you with a custom-fitted mouthguard that you’ll feel better using at night.
Address Oral Health Issues
Sometimes, dental pain causes you to grind your teeth. The pressure that bruxism places on your teeth can also cause tooth fractures and enamel erosion. If your dental exam reveals tooth damage, then your dentist can provide you with dental crowns to give your teeth more strength and end your pain.
Schedule an Appointment with Pearly Whites
Teeth grinding can lead to long-term dental issues along with daily pain, but you don’t have to let this common dental condition bring you down. Working with your dentist helps you identify the best strategies for overcoming bruxism and addressing your oral health concerns.
Contact our team today to schedule an appointment that puts you on the right path for greater comfort.