Bruxism is a condition that describes the consistent, and usually unconscious, grinding of your teeth. It’s a common phenomenon that, to lesser degrees, may not pose a problem, but for moderate to severe bruxers, it could lead to increasingly-worse dental damage. If you don’t stop grinding your teeth, then bruxism and the damage that it causes can grow more severe. Before it becomes a significant problem, however, you may be able to protect your smile with a few tips to stop grinding your teeth during the day.
How to Beat Bruxism
Bruxism can have a variety of causes, and excessive stress is a common one. Persistent tension in your jaws can cause the muscles to remain tense, forcing your upper and lower teeth against each other. Often, beating bruxism means making your jaw more comfortable, or at least relieving the stress and tension in your jaw muscles.
Start Working Out
You don’t have to become a physical fitness aficionado, but engaging in regular exercise, like walking and jogging, can burn off a significant amount of nervous energy, reducing factors that contribute to bruxism.
Learn to Relax
While exercising can help you feel better, another way to relieve tension and bruxism is to learn to relieve stress and relax. If you catch yourself grinding your teeth during the day, then try to find quiet moments as often as possible to take a deep breath, or several, and try to relax.
Wear a Mouthguard
Professional treatment for bruxism often involves a custom-designed mouthguard that protects your teeth from each other while you sleep. Many instances of bruxism occur more-frequently at night, and a mouthguard will help stop the destruction of your teeth grinding against each other.
ABOUT YOUR LONGVIEW DENTISTS:
At DentaCare Dental in Longview, we focus on advanced technology, education, and comfort to offer every patient a pleasant experience and excellent dental care. To schedule a consultation, call our Longview, TX office today at (903) 758-5921. For optimal convenience, we also serve patients at our various other locations in Tyler, Garland, and Arlington, TX, as well as Bossier City, LA