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How to Stop Teeth Grinding?

The medical term for grinding, gnashing, or clenching of the teeth is bruxism. You may be suffering from this common condition without knowing it if you grind your teeth in your sleep. This leads to symptoms including headaches, jaw pain, and the wearing down of teeth. Over time, you may even fracture or lose a tooth or develop a jaw disorder.

How to Stop Teeth Grinding at Home

There are several ways to reduce bruxism through Toronto teeth grinding treatment at home.
  1. If teeth grinding is caused by anxiety, try to destress by consciously relaxing your jaw throughout the day and increasing the amount of sleep you get at night.
  2. You should also drink more water but less alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
  3. Finally, avoid chewing gum and anything else but food.

Toronto Teeth Grinding Treatment from Your Dentist

If bruxism is a major problem and you want to better protect your teeth and jaw, you need to visit your dentist. He or she will diagnose the reason for teeth grinding and offer you personalized advice on how to stop, such as by prescribing jaw exercises to do every day. Your dentist will likely also create you an occlusal appliance, such as a night guard. This will be custom fit to your mouth to protect your teeth and jaw and to reduce pain. Other appliances available to treat bruxism are mandibular advancement devices. Again, these are custom fit over your top and bottom teeth; however, they also bring your bottom jaw forward. Your dentist will prescribe such a device if teeth grinding is due to a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Finally, if stress is the cause of your bruxism, your dentist may refer you to a specialist for behavioral management, meditation, or even hypnosis. All three of these methods can bring long-term relief.

Properly aligned teeth not only give you a beautiful smile, but they can significantly improve your overall dental health.

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