Stop The Daily Grind: Four Ways To Avoid Clenching Your Teeth At Night
If you wake up in the morning with tight jaw muscles and a headache, there's a chance that you're grinding your teeth overnight. About 20 percent of U.S. adults deal with this problem, and it's most troubling at night. Whereas you can quickly catch yourself grinding your teeth during the day and stop the habit, you won't have the same awareness overnight. This means that over time, you'll be wearing down the enamel of your teeth and leaving them more susceptible to cavities. A visit to your family dentist can assess any oral problems that have developed as a result of your tooth grinding. Armed with this knowledge, here are some ways that you can stop this habit.
Get Fitted For A Mouthpiece
While you're at the dental clinic, inquire about being fit for a custom mouthpiece that you can wear overnight. Similar in some regards to a sports mouthpiece, but typically lighter and less bulky, this mouthpiece slips between your jaws when you go to bed and prevents any damage from occurring when you grind your teeth. Its minimal nature means that you'll still be able to breathe freely and the device shouldn't impact your sleep quality.
Reduce Your Stress
If you're excessively stressed during the day, it may manifest itself overnight through grinding your teeth. Try to identify the prominent causes of your stress, whether it's due to your career, family or even your health. Once you've identified what is stressing you, take steps to address it.
Skip The Caffeine
Consuming caffeinated products late in the day or early in the evening can be detrimental to the quality of your sleep, but things like coffee, tea, energy drinks and chocolate can also play a role in tooth grinding. While caffeine affects people differently, many people find that this stimulant makes them feel jittery. This issue can lead to clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth overnight.
Begin Relaxing Before Bed
You can often reduce your likelihood of grinding your teeth while you sleep by focusing on relaxing before bed. Doing so helps loosen your muscles that might otherwise be tight and lead to a clenched jaw once you fall asleep. Find a relaxation routine that works best for you–you might be interested in listening to a guided meditation, practicing a few slow yoga poses, or simply curling up with your favorite book with the lights turned down low.
For more information, consider contacting companies like Dental Associates PC.
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