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Teeth Grinding Causes and Remedies

Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, is a condition that often occurs during sleep with sufferers being at risk of damaging their teeth or acquiring other oral health complications. The causes of teeth grinding vary from patient to patient, health experts pointing to an array of possible teeth grinding causes that include both physical and psychological factors.

Causes of Teeth Grinding
Thus, teeth grinding can be a result of stress and anxiety, suppressed negative emotions, a hyperactive or aggressive personality, abnormal alignment of teeth, changes during sleep cycles, growth and development in the jaw and teeth in the case of infants, complications from various health disorders such as Parkinsons, or side effects of psychiatric drugs, including some antidepressants.

Depending on the causes of teeth grinding, treatment for teeth grinding may or may not be required. Many cases do not require the use of teeth grinding remedies as most kids outgrow bruxism in time, whilst other patients are not affected by this condition badly enough to need remedies of teeth grinding.

Teeth Grinding Symptoms
As far as teeth grinding symptoms are concerned, these include
• Teeth grinding or clenching
• Worn down, damaged teeth
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Jaw pain and enlarged jaw muscles
• Earache caused by severe jaw muscle contraction
• Headaches
• Chronic facial pain
• Chewed tissue on the inside of the patient’s cheek and marks of teeth on his tongue.

Teeth Grinding Remedies
Teeth grinding treatment options include both therapeutic/medical and pharmaceutical remedies, the first category including stress management which promotes relaxation strategies to help reduce the stress, tension and anxiety leading to teeth grinding. Dental remedies may include using a mouth guard or applying a protective dental splint to prevent teeth damaging.

If teeth grinding is associated with a misalignment of teeth, the doctor will attempt to correct the oral flaw in order to eliminate the cause of bruxism. Teeth grinding can also be relieved or eliminated by using self-help techniques and behavior therapy in the form of biofeedback sessions that will help the sufferer change his teeth damaging habit.

Pharmaceutical medications are not really used for stopping teeth grinding, but rather to relieve it. Muscle relaxants might be suggested to patients suffering from bruxism. In the case of teeth grinding that has developed as a side effect to certain medications, the doctor will make the necessary changes in the patient’s medication in order to eliminate the cause of bruxism.

{ 2 comments… add one }
  • Jerry April 26, 2011, 1:19 am

    Simple diet changes can help your teeth grinding problems. A powerful natural item to be included in your Teeth Grinding Diet for immediate relief is magnesium. A deficiency in magnesium levels is suspected to be one of the causes of many health problems, inducing teeth grinding, migraines, headaches and diabetes. Some magnesium-rich foods you should eat as often as you can are: artichoke, beans, pumpkin seeds, spinach, sweet potatoes to name a few.

  • Jason September 17, 2011, 2:09 pm

    Hi All

    My wife is a teeth grinder in her sleep. We have recently got her a custom fit mouth guard – for a fraction of the price the dentist quoted us.
    It’s a great product!
    I just hope it helps others too.

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