What to Do When You Grind Your Teeth

Have you ever stared at the mirror and noticed that your teeth appear…wrecked? You see chips, jagged lines, and all other qualities that denote physical damage. On top of that, you also feel a bit of pain. If you’ve experienced all that, then you might be suffering from a condition known as bruxism, a.k.a. teeth grinding. 

Bruxism, in a nutshell, is one of the most common sleep disorders and may occur even without the person knowing. Over time, the constant grinding and clenching shorten and blunt the teeth, leading to obvious physical damage, facial muscle pain, headaches, and a condition known as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, TMJ, or TMD. 

The specific factors that cause bruxism are not clearly known, but some studies claim that daily stress is a trigger. Researchers have estimated that almost 70% of bruxism cases occur as a result of stress, which affects an individual during sleep. Aside from a high stress level, an abnormal bite and missing and crooked teeth have also been identified as possible bruxism culprits.

Fortunately, bruxism can be treated. People suffering from teeth grinding should avoid or cut back on foods and beverages with caffeine. Alcohol consumption was also found to intensify bruxism; thus, alcohol isn’t advised. Biting down on anything that isn’t food, as well as consuming higher-than-recommended doses of medications with amphetamines (i.e. meds for sleep disorders and ADHD), are also prohibited. 

Best of all, sufferers of bruxism should visit a dentist to get first-hand advice about their condition.