Bruxism is a condition caused by grinding or gnashing your teeth together. This condition is usually directly related to stress, and you may not even know that you have it. You may be grinding or gnashing your teeth while you are asleep, which is why you may not know that you have it. See below for further information about bruxism and how it is treated:

Symptoms Of Bruxism

The grinding or gnashing may be happening subconsciously, so you may not know that you are doing this with your teeth. Other symptoms you may notice are headaches, jaw pain, teeth pain, problems eating or chewing, clicking or other noises in your jaw, change in tooth shape, wearing down of your enamel or with cavity fillings, pain in the gums, and indentations in the tongue from your teeth. All of these can be symptoms of bruxism. If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be time to take a trip to the dentist for a checkup and to be diagnosed with treatment.

Treatment For Bruxism

You should be diagnosed by your dentist for bruxism, so be sure to make an appointment if you experience any of the above symptoms mentioned above. Since stress is one of the biggest causes of bruxism, you should do your best to decrease your stress levels. Exercise can help reduce stress, as can doing other things you love. Take up a hobby that can reduce stress such as yoga, painting, fishing or reading. Also getting a regular massage or pedicure can help reduce your stress as well.

Other things you can do to help treat bruxism include:

• Limit caffeine intake.
• Avoid alcohol and sweets.
• Stop chewing on objects such as pen caps, nails or other non-food items.
• Wear a night guard while sleeping.
• Perform jaw exercises.
• Drink chamomile tea before bed to get a better nights sleep.
• Take a bath before bed to help you relax before bed.

Do your best to reduce stress and to get a better nights sleep. If your job is a big part of your stress, try to look for a new job that is less stressful, or ask for fewer responsibilities at work. Stress can be difficult to deal with, but it needs to be dealt with to prevent your teeth and jaw from suffering.

If you are experiencing pain in your jaw or your teeth, or for other oral issues, make an appointment with your dentist right away to be diagnosed and treated. Contact a dental office like Centre Family Dentistry for more information and assistance.