Do you struggle with bruxism? This condition, known commonly as tooth-grinding, represents a significant hazard to your oral health. Fortunately, there are many ways to help manage your grinding and better assure that you maintain strong, straight teeth for years to come.
- Stress is one of the biggest root causes of bruxism. If you are feeling stress, identify your stressors and find a way to manage them.
- Sometimes, your bruxism can be linked to pain in your teeth or around the area of your jaw. 14Talk to your dentist to address any pain you may be feeling.
- Cut back on your consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
- If you habitually chew on items like pencils, ice, bottle caps, or even gum, you may be training your muscles to clench more than they need to. Try to avoid such habits.
- Place the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This will force your jaw muscles to relax.
- If you’re a nighttime grinder, apply a warm compress to your cheeks for a few minutes before bedtime to relax your muscles.
You can learn more about bruxism and how to manage your condition by talking to our Bellingham dentist during normal business hours.