Medically known as bruxism, it is a common action among people who get them from time to time. It is not harmful but it occurring on regular basis could lead to teeth damage and other oral health issues. People grind and clench their teeth mainly due to anxiety and stress, happen unexpectedly and mostly when you one is asleep, if you experience a dull and constant headache or sore jaws then perhaps you are just from grinding and clenching your teeth. Bruxism has been linked to sleep apnea which is a disorder leading to a crooked or missing tooth.
In case you experience any grinding or clenching feeling it is advisable that you consult your dental physician to carry out close mouth and jaw examination, or wear on the teeth. Bruxism is harmful in that it damages/ fractures your jaws leading to loss of teeth; it causes stumps on your teeth, on such occasion an implant and dentures might be required
How to stop teeth grinding and clench
- For it to stop, your dentist needs to make for you a customized mouth guard to protect your mouth when it starts grinding unexpectedly.
- You should also try to ease stress by speaking to your doctor about it or try to attend counseling sessions or consider seeing a physical therapist.
- Avoid caffeine foods such as chocolate, colas and coffee.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Avoid chewing things that are not food such as pens and pencil, chewing gums as it makes you jaw clench then grind.
- Train your jaw muscle to relax by placing your tongue in between your teeth in case you notice the pattern at which you clench and grind a lot.
- Place a warm cloth across your cheek from our front earlobe every night before you sleep.
For your information, teeth grinding has not only been limited to adults only even children are more prone to it. According to statistics approximately 15% to 40% of children grind their teeth but at peak times, that is when the baby teeth have developed and when the permanent teeth are just developing, hence leading more children losing their teeth at such stages.
If your child has improper aligned teeth or the contact between the upper and lower teeth is irregular with other health conditions such as pinworm, allergies and endocrine disorder.
Also, children experience stress and anxiety in some situation, to help them stop grinding and clenching you need to:
- Lower your child’s stress levels before bed.
- Make him relax the muscles by massaging and doing exercises.
- Ensure that your child stays hydrated.
- Your dentist must check your child’s teeth if they are grinders.
In conclusion, clenching and grinding damages your teeth, for a child no intervention required, however for an older child the dentist might recommend a night guard, to prevent grinding. Like adults with most children it usually happens while they are asleep, but some occurs during waking hour. Remember to take care of your teeth and also avoid foods that cause teeth clenching and grinding.
