5 Remedies for Your Teeth Clenching/Grinding Problem

Posted on: 6 September 2016

Did you know that teeth grinding or bruxism could be harmful to your dental health and your overall health too? Some of the common effects of teeth grinding or clenching include headaches and migraines that may become prolonged and untreatable with continued teeth grinding, excessively aching jaws, recession and inflammation of the gums, earaches, tongue scalloping and even tooth loss. In addition, if you continue grinding your teeth, you reduce the enamel, which can lead to other tooth problems such as tooth sensitivity and decay. Fortunately, here are a few treatment options to consider.

Reduce Gum Chewing

If you are an aggressive "gum chewer", you should consider changing the habit. This is because with excessive chewing of gum, your jaw muscles will start getting used to the movement. This means that you are more likely to start grinding or clenching your teeth, especially when you are not chewing gum.

Cut Back On Foods That Contain Caffeine

Excessive intake of foods and drinks such as coffee, which contain stimulants such as caffeine, may lead to teeth grinding. Such foods and drinks can make you jumpy and tense, which can make you start grinding your teeth.

Consider Jaw Exercises

Jaw exercises will help strengthen as well as relax your jaw muscles. This can help reduce the urge to clench your teeth. Therefore, gently apply a warm compress over your jaws to help relax the muscles. You can do this a few times daily. You can also massage your jaws gently every day. In addition, place the tip of your tongue in between your teeth for a few minutes daily. This will help in relaxing your jaw muscles. There are many other exercises that you can perform to help relax your jaw.  Consult a chiropractor or even a physical therapist for more specialised exercises.

Consider Getting Crowns or Fillings

Teeth grinding is also associated with broken or severely worn fillings and misaligned teeth. Therefore, getting new fillings or applying crowns on your teeth can be helpful.

Get a Mouthguard

Mouthguards are usually a good solution if you clench your teeth while sleeping. Talk to your dentist for recommendations on the best type of mouthguard to use. While using a mouthguard will not prevent you from actually clenching your teeth, it will prevent you from damaging your teeth in the process. Therefore, you still need to consider the other options to prevent other harmful effects of grinding your teeth.

For more information, consult with a dental clinic.

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