Chronic teeth grinding and teeth clenching, or bruxism, can occur for a variety of reasons. For example, stress and anxiety are common contributing factors. Effects of teeth grinding include jaw pain, headaches, damaged teeth, and an increased risk of discoloration, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.
Not all hope is lost, however — there are simple ways that you can combat teeth grinding and save your teeth.
1. Cut Back on Caffeine
Caffeine can make some patients more anxious or resistant to healthy sleep, so if you consume a lot of caffeine, try to curb your consumption to help ease your teeth grinding and improve your sleep quality. Whenever possible, drink water instead. Staying hydrated with water will also help reduce your risk of tooth decay, dry mouth, and tooth discoloration.
2. Get a Custom Nightguard
At North River Dental Care, we can fit you with a custom nightguard to help protect your teeth at night and help you wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed. Consult with our Fredericksburg dental team for information about the benefits of a custom nightguard.
3. Relax
This one takes time to do but identifying the source of your stress and taking the steps to mitigate it will work wonders on your oral and overall health. Consider looking into yoga or another form of enjoyable exercise, breathing techniques, meditation, or professional counseling.
4. BOTOX
BOTOX® can help relax the muscles in your jaw, which can help ease the pain associated with grinding. Though this won’t cure your teeth grinding, it can help ease the tension in your facial muscles.
Teeth Grinding Solutions in Fredericksburg, VA
We are proud to offer a suite of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental solutions at North River Dental Care. No matter what your concern might be, our friendly and experienced team is here to help you. We also offer affordable payment options so that you can get the oral healthcare you need. Contact our office today for more information about our teeth grinding treatment!
