Practical Solutions for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism, aka teeth grinding, can harm your teeth and oral health. There is a difference between occasional teeth grinding and consistent bruxism. Sustained teeth grinding can chip or crack your teeth, wear them down prematurely, and even lead to jaw pain. Many people grind their teeth while sleeping without even knowing it. If you experience teeth grinding issues, Dr. Stephen Eriksen from Walnut Creek Laser Dentistry in Walnut Creek, California, can provide solutions to protect your teeth and oral health.

Possible Solutions for Grinding Teeth in Sleep 

If you’re waking up each morning with jaw pain, headaches, and tiredness, it could be due to bruxism. Tooth pain and sensitivity, chipped, cracked, and broken teeth, worn tooth enamel, face, neck, and shoulder pain, and painful jaw muscles are additional bruxism symptoms. In some cases, symptoms are mild, requiring no real treatment. In other instances, bruxism symptoms can be so severe they disrupt your sleep and lifestyle. Fortunately, there are conservative methods to manage nighttime bruxism and improve your quality of life.

Dr. Eriksen and our team recommend the following practical solutions for bruxism treatment: 

• Custom Night Guard
  A night guard is an oral device worn over your top or bottom teeth to keep them from grinding when you sleep. It’s a simple, cost-effective teeth grinding solution to help manage your bruxism symptoms. Dr. Eriksen can customize a night guard for your use. A custom-fitted night guard offers optimal comfort and protection against nighttime bruxism. Wearing a night guard can also help you get the quality sleep you need. 
• Exercise
  Stress and anxiety are often triggers of teeth grinding. Daily exercise can help relieve stress and tension to minimize your bruxism symptoms. Relaxing right before bedtime can also help with bruxism. A warm bath, drinking soothing herbal tea, or applying a warm, damp towel to your jaw are just a few ways to relax before bed.
• Jaw Massage 
  Whenever you feel your jaw clenching due to daily stress, take a moment to massage your jaw and alleviate muscle tension and pain. A gentle jaw massage could be just what you need to release built-up stress and help you relax. It also helps to be mindful of what’s causing your stress to avoid these incidents as much as possible.
• Harmful Lifestyle Habits 
  Chewing on pencils, pens, gum and ice are harmful habits that aggravate tooth grinding symptoms at night. These habits are also bad for your teeth, leading to premature wear and damage. Similarly, it is advisable to steer clear of hard and sticky foods that necessitate vigorous chewing, potentially straining your jaw.

Teeth Grinding Diagnosis and Treatment Near Me

To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of nighttime bruxism, contact Dr. Stephen Eriksen from Walnut Creek Laser Dentistry in Walnut Creek, CA, at (925) 962-2120.

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