Bruxism is a condition in which the patient clenches and grinds their teeth. This habit can be caused due to several reasons, such as stress, tension, and others. If left untreated for long, it can cause severe consequences on the teeth and jawbone.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM?
Bruxism leaves the patient with soreness in their jaws and cheeks during the day. The patient will also have a headache due to this condition. They may experience pain in their teeth during the day and may wake up with jaw pain as well. The teeth may eventually wear off from their roots. When the patient clenches their teeth together, it can cause pain in the neck and shoulders of the patient.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BRUXISM?
Bruxism is caused by several reasons: biting your nails, anxiety related to work, stress, sleeping disorders, etc. The most prominent causes of bruxism are a sleeping disorder called sleep bruxism, which is caused when a person subconsciously grinds their teeth while they are asleep.
HOW CAN BRUXISM BE TREATED AT HOME?
Chewing gum: Chewing gum after you wake up from sleep helps relax your clenched jaw muscles. Additionally, it also helps to stimulate your salivary glands, which helps to keep your mouth moist and prevent dry mouth due to bruxism. Rubbing an ice cube on your teeth: Rubbing an ice cube on your teeth after waking up from sleep helps relieve them of any toothaches from bruxism and also helps to reduce any soreness that you may have developed in them during sleep.
Before going to bed every night, try to have a cup of warm milk before going to bed. Milk contains calcium and magnesium that help relax your jaw muscles while you sleep and prevent you from clenching your jaws together involuntarily during sleep.
You may also practice deep breathing exercises before going to bed every night, which helps relax your muscles and keep away stress that might lead to clenching your jaws together. To know more about cavities, visit us at Helena, MT or call us at (406) 443-6160 to schedule an appointment with the dentist and we will be happy to help.
