Tips to Prevent Teeth Grinding

With nearly 1 in 3 people afflicted by bruxism or teeth grinding, it has to be acknowledged that this is an uncomfortable dental issue. Bruxism causes severe dental damage and grinding one’s teeth mostly happens at night, which means that most people are unaware of the damage being caused from teeth grinding till it is pointed out to them by a dentist or someone who shares their bed. Teeth grinding can happen while one is awake which is known as awake-bruxism; and sleep-bruxism happens while one is asleep and unaware as mentioned before.

There are various measures that one can take to prevent teeth grinding and some of them are as mentioned below. Read further to know more.

Your dentist can be of great help when dealing with bruxism and exploring ways to combat the issue of teeth grinding. Once your dentist has diagnosed the issue; the physician may suggest various options or tips for future prevention of teeth grinding and all of them are as listed below.

Your dentist could very well suggest the use of a mouth guard if bruxism is a risk factor for the well being of your teeth. Mouth guards for teeth grinding are generally custom made to fit your mouth and will effectively keep your teeth from grinding against each other. Mouth guards are preferred by those afflicted by sleep-bruxism as wearing a mouth guard during the course of the day may not be an ideal proposition for many.

Often teeth grinding is caused by non-aligned teeth and in such circumstances a dentist is most likely to propose alignment correction. Braces, crowns, surgery or correcting the teeth surface are a few options that a dentist or orthodontist has in regards to alignment correction and is most likely to choose the option that is best suited for your teeth.

Sometimes bruxism is caused by anxiety or depression and in such instances muscle relaxants and antidepressants may be prescribed to prevent teeth grinding. These medications are known to be effective in some cases, but its best to consult a psychiatrist in conjunction with your dentist to know more about dealing with stress and anxiety in order to cope with teeth grinding.

Botox injections are also a route taken to deal with teeth grinding. Botox injections have been known to reduce myofascial pain, which is a byproduct of teeth grinding; however, consider the side effects of Botox before agreeing to this course of treatment for prevention of teeth grinding.

There is a wide range of natural remedies that one can turn to when dealing with teeth grinding. Studies have shown that dental procedures to correct the issue are not the only effective course of treatment. Some of the natural remedies listed below could definitely benefit those afflicted by teeth grinding are:

As mentioned before stress and anxiety could often be the root cause of teeth grinding and your dentist may often take the quickest route to dealing with the problem by prescribing antidepressants and muscle relaxants to prevent this problem. Conversely one can also seek use of holistic and drug-free methods to deal with depression, stress and anxiety. A psychiatrist will be the most qualified person to help in this regard.

Vitamin C supplementation can have potential benefits for those afflicted by teeth grinding. Vitamin C is utilized by the adrenal glands and largely determines our response to stress. When combined with stress management techniques; vitamin C can largely reduce the symptoms of bruxism. One can opt for vitamin C supplementation in pill or powder form or even take the natural route and increase intake of vitamin C through various fruits and vegetables for adequate prevention of teeth grinding.

Magnesium supplementation can also have potential benefits for those afflicted by bruxism or teeth grinding. Magnesium deficiency can result in anxiety, stress and hyperactivity which are also some of the causes behind bruxism. Teeth grinding can often be greatly reduced when an individual opts for magnesium supplementation. Similar to vitamin C; one can supplement magnesium in their diet through different foods or opt for over-the-counter magnesium supplements in powder, pill or tonic form to prevent teeth grinding.

B-complex vitamin supplementation can vastly reduce the symptoms of bruxism or teeth grinding in some cases. This is mostly because the deficiency of these vitamins is known to result in stress and anxiety. Dealing with stress and anxiety with the intake of B-complex vitamin supplementation when needed can greatly reduce the effects of stress and anxiety such as teeth grinding. Talk to your primary physician to diagnose a possible B complex vitamin deficiency and for advice on what would be the best course of supplementation to prevent teeth grinding.

In conclusion, these are just few effective suggestions that can be taken into consideration when dealing with bruxism. Your doctor may or may not ask you to implement any of these suggestions to combat the problem as teeth grinding can be caused by many factors. Your dentist is generally the best person to help you with a course of action to treat and prevent teeth grinding.

Also Read:

• What Can Cause Jaw Pain and Headache on One Side?
• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment, Lifestyle Modifications
• 11 Natural Ways to Stop Teeth Grinding
• Habits Which Damage Your Teeth
• Why Do My Teeth Keep Chipping and Breaking & What Can Be Done About It?