Sleep Bruxism - How to Stop Damaging Your Teeth While Sleeping

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Sleep bruxism is described as the gritting or gnashing of teeth and is usually associated with jaw clenching.
This condition or habit (and is considered as a sleeping disorder) can also be seen during the day when taking naps or while under stress.
People tend to take this ailment for granted, of which 5% of them continue to develop symptoms such as headaches and jaw pain which will require further treatment.
In most cases, people will not notice that they are experiencing it until the above symptoms occur or someone who sleeps with them tells them that they indeed suffer from it.
Typically, the canines and incisors are the most affected due to their opposing arches that move laterally against each other.
However, some people will only have jaw clenching minus the teeth grinding habit.
With this, instead of having filed down teeth, it results in their teeth becoming hollowed and eventually collapses.
If you're not sure if you or someone you know is a bruxer, the symptoms can include earache, headache, insomnia, eating disorders, stress and a sore or painful jaw.
For most people, teeth misalignment causes them to grit their teeth unconsciously.
They have "high spots", or the teeth that interfere when they bite.
Such cases can be easily treated by having a dentist file them down.
However, there are cases where their teeth are simply misaligned and cannot be filed down.
In such instances the dentist will prescribe dental devices like teeth guards and splints to be worn at night.
It's better to have your dentist customize a teeth guard or mouth guard to make sure that it will fit you properly.
It's easier to buy ready-made teeth guards over the counter but there's always a chance that it will not be the right fit for you.
Loose teeth guards will dislodge while you're teeth grinding in your sleep.
Relaxation techniques are one of the best ways to help you get your jaw muscles get rid of the clenching habit.
You can start by doing jaw clenching exercises during the day.
Then at night before going to bed, try drinking a glass or warm milk or getting a warm bath to get you relaxed.
Also, reducing your alcohol and coffee consumption can help reducesleep bruxism.
Gritting teeth while sleeping, which also known as Sleep Bruxism, may not be regarded by some people as a major health matter but when not given the right attention it can lead to complications like teeth and jaw problems.
It is best to get in touch with your dentist for the appropriate medical regimen to take for preventing future impairment to your teeth.
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