Lower Stress, Stop Teeth Grinding
We don’t know the exact cause of bruxism, or teeth grinding, but we do know that one factor that leads to it or makes it worse is stress. The tricky thing is that avoiding stress is easier said than done. From pressure at work to responsibilities at home, even current events can stress us out. It can be challenging, but there is something you can do about lowering your stress to reduce or even stop teeth grinding. The professionals at Compassion Smiles Dentistry are also available in Coppell, TX to help keep your teeth in good, working order.
How do I know if I’m grinding my teeth?
Teeth grinding often occurs while we are sleeping, making it difficult to realize that it’s happening at all. There are symptoms that it is occurring though. Waking up with a constant headache or a sore jaw is a common sign that you’ve been grinding your teeth at night.
Besides stress, factors that can cause bruxism include sleep apnea, anxiety, and crooked teeth or an abnormal bite. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth, see your dentist at Compassion Smiles Dentistry soon for a consultation.
How can I stop grinding my teeth?
If your dentist finds evidence that you are grinding your teeth, it’s important to get treatment for it. Leaving the problem go untreated puts continued stress on the teeth, potentially leading to fractures and the need for other dental treatments. Since stress and anxiety seem to play a big part in causing bruxism, one way to address the problem is by trying to reduce both.
First, it’s important to recognize where the stress in your life comes from. Common areas include mistreatment or irritations at work, poor relationships, or financial problems; everyone has different stress triggers, so you’ll have to find yours. Once you’ve identified the trigger, try to either resolve it or remove yourself from it as much as possible. Another method that may help with stress is practicing meditation.
If you are unable to reduce your stress levels and your teeth grinding continues, come see us again at Compassion Smiles Dentistry in Coppell, TX and we’ll find a different remedy for you.