Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
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3 Tips To Help You Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Eleanor Crawford
Do you wake up with headaches or soreness in your jaw? Does your jaw ever make a popping sound when you're trying to talk or eat? Has your dentist commented on unusual signs of wear on your back teeth? These are all signs that you may have a condition called bruxism, which means that you grind your teeth or clench your jaw tightly at night while you sleep. Bruxism is often thought to be related to excessive stress. Though you may be unaware of the grinding while it's happening, bruxism can have some serious negative effects on your teeth and jaw. Here are some tips that can help you end the nighttime grind and protect the health of your mouth.
Take a Hot Bath Before Bed
If you're so stressed out that you're grinding your teeth all night, it may be a sign that you need to do something to relax yourself before you go to sleep. Soaking in a hot bath can relax all your stiff muscles, including the ones in your jaw. Hot baths before bed can also help you sleep more deeply, which may help prevent grinding.
Take a Muscle Relaxer
You don't necessarily need a prescription-strength muscle relaxer to ease the stiff muscles in your jaw – an over-the-counter NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like ibuprofen can help make your muscles looser and make you less likely to grind at night. If you want to avoid even over-the-counter drugs, try taking ginger supplements or drinking ginger tea. Ginger has shown promise as both an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant.
Wear a Night Guard
Your dentist can make a mouth guard designed for you to wear at night to help protect your teeth in your sleep. If your bruxism is a chronic problem and not a response to temporary stress, then this might be your best option. Night guards are made from either acrylic or plastic.
While the night guard won't stop you from grinding, they will stop your top and bottom teeth from connecting, which reduces the wear and tear on your teeth. They'll also redistribute the placement of your teeth while you sleep, which can help prevent jaw soreness in the morning. Your dentist may ask you to come in for extra checkups to ensure that wearing the appliance isn't causing your teeth to shift position in your mouth.
Bruxism isn't any fun, but it doesn't have to keep affecting you every morning. If you suspect that you're a nighttime teeth grinder, ask your dentist to look for signs that you suffer from bruxism, and discuss the options that will help you wake up pain-free and refreshed. Talk to experts like Cary Dental Associates for more information.
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