Wear a Night Guard. Your dentist in Evansville, IN can custom fit you for a night guard, which is an appliance that fits over your top or bottom teeth, is made from plastic or acrylic, and is worn while you sleep. Though it won’t stop you from grinding, it protects your teeth.
Exercise. Whether you opt for a major sweat session or just a stroll, working out helps alleviate stress, which is a common cause of bruxism.
Take a Warm Bath Before Bed. Warm water can help relax your jaw muscles right before you turn in. If you don't like baths, soak a washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and apply it to your jaw. A heating pad can also do the trick, though moist heat is best because it penetrates better.
Relax. Since anxiety is a major force behind grinding, try to unwind and relieve stress just before bedtime. Hitting the hay when you’re calm can reduce grinding.
Learn New Habits. It is possible to grind or clench during the day. So try to be aware of your mouth—keep your lips closed but teeth apart. Teeth should only touch when you’re chewing or swallowing. Whenever you feel your jaw clenching, drop your jaw down, feel the muscles relax, and then try to maintain that position.
Give Yourself a Massage. A rubdown helps the rest of your body relax, and it works the same way for your jaw muscles—gently rub them when you’re feeling tense.
Seek Help. If you suffer from severe anxiety, talk therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist may help alleviate that, which in turn will reduce grinding.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine. Grinding may get worse after drinking alcohol or caffeine. So skip that glass of wine or cup of coffee in the evening.
Don’t Chew Anything Besides Food. Gnawing on pens or pencils or similarly hard items can enable your jaw muscles to get used to clenching, making you more likely to grind your teeth.
Skip Chewy Foods. Keep gum, steak, popcorn, and other chewy foods to a minimum when you’ve been grinding your teeth. This will ease soreness and give your jaw a break.
The risk of complications from teeth grinding may increase if you have untreated bruxism for an extended period of time. Long-term complications may include:
- chronic ear and headache pain
- facial muscle enlargement
- damage to teeth that requires dental procedures, such as dental bonding, filling, crowns, or bridges
- temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)
Let your general dentist know if you experience any of these symptoms.
