Bruxism – How to stop teeth grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism is a habit that affects a large number of children and adults. People affected by this disorder are usually oblivious of their habit, which usually occurs when a person is sleeping. However, if you notice tenderness of the jaw and crooked teeth, this would indicate that you are suffering from bruxism.
Causes of teeth grinding
Stress is believed to trigger teeth grinding. People who are aggressive or frustrated tend to grind their teeth to express their anger. What begins as an expression of anger, overtime becomes a habit, making you grind your teeth unconsciously, leading to bruxism. Some people with abnormal teeth alignment on their upper and lower jaws could develop bruxism.
Bruxism is common among children. It is believed that the irritation and itching that occur in the gum before a new tooth appears might make the child grind his teeth. Teeth grinding usually occur in toddlers who are less than seven years of age. Bruxism might occur when a child suffers from an infection and cold. The risk of bruxism is greater among children with a family history of bruxism.
Bruxism could be the symptom of a neurological disorder such as Huntington disease or Parkinson’s disease. Some health experts believe that bruxism could be the side effect of certain antidepressant and psychiatric drugs.
Dangers of teeth grinding
Bruxism is bad for your oral health. Occasional teeth grinding might not be harmful for your teeth and jaw, but regular teeth grinding could cause intense damage to your teeth. It not only increases the risk of teeth damage, leading to teeth loss, in the worse case bruxism might damage your jaws. Untreated bruxism could even cause hearing loss.
Teeth grinding prevention
If you are prone to teeth grinding, you should avoid chewing gum. Constant chewing will make you used to clenching your jaw muscles, increasing the risk of teeth grinding. The risk of teeth grinding increases after consuming a stimulant. Avoid consumption of alcohol and caffeine rich beverages and foods such as coffee, carbonated drinks and chocolates. Try to relax your jaw muscles. As soon as you sense that you are clenching your teeth, immediately place your tongue between the teeth. You can overcome bruxism by reducing stress.
