Do you grind your teeth at night? This is a common problem, also known as bruxism If you are grinding or clenching, you may be experiencing symptoms that could indicate an underlying problem. It's important to take steps to stop the habit before it becomes a serious issue.
Here are five tips to avoid discomfort:
Cut down on caffeine
Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, cola and energy drinks can cause tension in the jaw which can lead to clenching and grinding. reducing the amount of caffeine you consume can help alleviate that effect.
Reduce your alcohol consumption
For people prone to grinding their teeth and clenching their jaws, alcohol can trigger these symptoms. Cutting back on drinking alcohol, especially before bed can help reduce tooth and jaw pain from bruxism at night.
Only chew food
Some people form a habit of chewing things like pens or pencils which can aggravate tooth and jaw pain. Chewing gum can also add to the problem. One way to relieve these symptoms is to avoid the habit of chewing anything we aren't going to eat!
Get plenty of exercise
Stress and anxiety are a major factor in causing bruxism. One widely recommended way of reducing stress is to exercise regularly. Along with the mental benefit of being less stressed, exercise reduces tension in the body, which helps relax the jaw and curbs teeth grinding.
Use a mouth guard for grinding teeth
Another option is to wear a custom made bite guard. This device fits into your mouth and prevents you from clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth. These guards are designed specifically for each person and fit comfortably inside the mouth.
You can find out more and order one of our custom bite guards here:
Grinding can also damage your teeth, so don't forget to keep up your regular check ups and speak to your dentist if you have pain or other discomfort.
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