10 Tips To Prevent Teeth Grinding

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10 Tips To Prevent Teeth Grinding

• Manipal Hospital

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• Most of the people are found to grind their teeth
  or clench it from time to time. Excessive of
  grinding is medically termed as Bruxism.
• Teeth grinding may unconsciously occur in sleep
  or during the daytime while concentrating on a
  task, often placing teeth together and apply
  force through contraction of jaw muscles.
• The most common symptoms of teeth grinding is
  headache. People having bruxism suffer from
  headaches three times more than usual.

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• Other symptoms are muscles aches, enlargement of
  facial muscles, joint discomfort, stiffness of
  shoulders, neck, ear pain and sleep disorders.
• The possible causes of teeth grinding can be
  stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol and
  caffeinated drinks.
• Some research also reveal that there is a link
  between teeth grinding and stressful work
  environment.

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• Chronic teeth grinding can may result in
  fracture, loosening or loss of teeth. It may wear
  down the teeth to stumps.
• When this happens, bridges, crowns, root canals,
  implants, partial dentures and even complete
  denture may be needed. It can also harms your
  jaws and can even change the appearance of your
  face.
• There are many ways your doctor could ask you to
  do to prevent grinding of teeth. He/she may ask
  you to wear a mouth guard while you sleep at
  night to stop the clenching.

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• If the cause of your teeth grinding is the stress
  then your doctor may suggest you for stress
  counselling, exercise programs or give you a
  prescription of muscle relaxants.
• Some other tips to prevent teeth grinding are
• Cut back caffeine-Avoid or cut back on food and
  drinks containing caffeine such as cola,
  chocolate, and coffee
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• Avoid alcohol-Stop consuming alcohol. Grinding
  tends to intensify after intake of alcohol.
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• Stop chewing gums-Avoid chewing gums as it allows
  your jaw muscles to get used to clenching and
  grinding. Also do not chew pencils and pens.
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• Train yourself-Train yourself to not to grind
  your teeth. If you realise that you are, place
  the tip of tongue in between your teeth. This
  will relax your jaw muscles.
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• Warm compress-Take a cloth soaked in warm water.
  Keep it near your cheek in front of your earlobe
  to relax your jaw muscles.

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• Massage-Try massage and stretching exercise to
  relieve the tension in muscles of your face,
  neck, shoulders, jaw and cheeks.
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• Turmeric Milk-Turmeric milk can control the
  problem and can relieve you from pain caused due
  to teeth grinding.
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• Sleep Well-Sleep properly. While you rare in the
  habit of grinding your teeth, you must not be
  getting enough amount of rest.
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• Know your diet-A diet rich in vitamins and
  calcium can keep you away from clenching your
  teeth.
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• Medication-Bruxism may be a side effect of some
  medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
  about possible side effects before taking
  prescription drugs

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• If you're still not sure what's causing you to
  grind your teeth, see your dentist.
• Not only will your dentist help you find the
  solution to your problem, but regular dental
  visits will allow your dentist to check for signs
  of bruxism and help you control it before the
  damage gets out of hand.
• They will be able to help you find more effective
  and long-lasting ways to stop this action.
  Clenching and grinding can lead to several
  destructives effects including pain and damage to
  teeth that can sometimes be irreparable and
  costly.