Great video from Action 7 News all about Bruxism, its development into TMJ and the use of a teeth guard.

If you relate to this video then visit your dentist now.

The higher the stress levels, generally the higher the incidence of Bruxism. Therefore, to reduce your teeth grinding, reduce your stress levels.

A great way to do this is by taking regular exercise. It doesn’t have to be particularly strenuous, just enough to raise your heart rate for twenty minutes or so. Do this three or four times a week and you should see a massive reduction in your Bruxism episodes and maybe increase your fitness levels while you’re at it.

Before you start out on this or any other exercise program consult your medical practitioner.

Nip round to your health food shop or pharmacy and track down some Magnesium and Calcium supplements. Presumably this works because a calcium deficiency can cause muscle cramps and a magnesium deficiency has been attributed to muscle spasms, particularly at night.

As I said, I’m not 100% convinced by this, but for the couple of bucks it will cost you to buy the supplements then it has got to be worth a try.

If you try the supplements or are a regular user, then post a comment and let us know.

James…

Deep breathing techniques have been shown to relax the mind and relieve muscle tension. When you lay down at night (on your back… see Tip 4) practice taking some deep breathes, hold and breathe out.

Just a few of these exercises can have you sleeping like a baby and reduce your teeth grinding in no time.

If you try this and see any success we’d love to know about it. Post a comment and give us the details of your success.

James…

Harms, the consumer advisor to the American Dental Association, came up with a list of 15 things you should know. Reading through the list, you will notice that of the 15 items, a full 20% are Bruxism related.

I’ve reproduced the relevant items below and you can read the full article here.

10. Chips and cracks in teeth lead to decay

Fact. If cracks and chips create a hiding place for bacteria, a spot where your toothbrush can’t reach, those areas are more prone to tooth decay.

“Lately we’re seeing more and more cracks in teeth because people are grinding,” Harms says. “Stress, worries about the economy, it makes some people grind their teeth more. … Stress can play an important role in tooth health.”

12. Cavities are the prime reason for root canals

Myth. You need a root canal if the nerve inside a tooth is damaged. Untreated cavities may eventually lead to nerve damage, but there other causes, too.

“Cracks, fractures, or other types of trauma to the tooth can also cause nerve damage,” Harms says. In many cases “clenching and grinding can traumatize the tooth severely enough to need root canal therapy.”

13. Clenching and grinding leads to cavities

Myth and sometimes fact. “Teeth clenching and teeth grinding is one of the most destructive things you can do to your teeth,” says Harms. With normal chewing, teeth touch for mere milliseconds, suffering very little stress. But clenching and grinding puts tremendous pressure on your teeth for extended periods.

That strain “can eventually cause damage and cracks and fractures of your teeth,” says Harms. If those fractures expose the weaker dentin, tooth decay can form at a faster rate. “Typically grinding and clenching lead to the need for crowns to restore the fractured tooth or root canal therapy to treat the traumatized nerve.”

This review covers ‘TMJ No More’ a product I had steered clear of as I wasn’t sure that it would be suitable for Bruxism sufferers. Man, was I wrong!! The link above will take you directly to the TMJ No More website and this link… TMJ No More Review will take you straight to my review.

I also want to thank Jean in London, for insisting that I take a look at this program.

If you have used something to cure your Bruxism and stop teeth grinding then drop me a line so I can review it. Working together we can beat Bruxism.

Keep Smiling…

James

Unless the condition is treated, the continuous grinding of teeth can eventually lead to dental disorders such as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, in which the temporomandibular joints become inflamed. As anyone with this condition can attest to, not only is the resultant jaw popping unpleasant, but the accompanying headaches can be excruciating.

If for any reason you believe that you may be suffering from Bruxism, then it’s imperative that you go and see a dentist immediately. In the event that your dentist can confirm you have the condition he will immediately offer advice and make suggestions with regards to treatment. This can range from having a teeth guard made, or in severe cases, even surgery.

A teeth guard is essentially made from plastic by taking a mold of your teeth, and for the most part, they are very similar to the gum shields which boxers use in the ring. The guard is worn only at night when you go to sleep in order to prevent you from grinding your teeth together. Even though a teeth guard cannot prevent you from grinding your teeth, it can prevent damage. Unfortunately however, the average teeth guard costs $400.00 or more.

Also, irrespective of the quality and cost of your teeth guard, it simply cannot be considered a cure, because while it may help to protect your teeth, it cannot help you to break your habit, and as such, you’ll still find yourself waking up with headaches and a painful jaw.

So, is there anything else you can do in order to find relief, and perhaps help you to get rid of your teeth guard? Yes, there are a number of things you can try, many of which you can read about online. In fact, many of the home remedies are rather unique and unusual.

For example, it is recommended that you chew on a slice of apple, a carrot stick, or even a cauliflower floret shortly before you to go to bed. It is believed that this will help to relax an overactive mouth, and as such, it can help to prevent teeth grinding. You may also want to consider placing a warm face cloth over the joints in your jaw.

Furthermore, stress and anxiety are also known to induce Bruxism, and as such, if you can manage to reduce your stress levels, you’ll also be helping to prevent yourself from grinding your teeth. In this respect, you should consider getting your partner to give you a massage just before you go to sleep. Additionally, you should even consider buying yourself a stress ball.

Once you have turned in for the day and gone to bed, there are also other things you can do which may help. This includes sleeping on your back rather than on your sides or on your stomach. Those who battle to sleep on their back may want to consider using pillows in order to make it a little easier. You can also arrange some pillows in such a way so that they prevent you from rolling over during the night. Pillows can also help to ensure that there is no unnecessary strain on your neck and jaw.

Lastly, don’t be tempted to have a cup of coffee just before you go to bed, and neither should you be tempted to have a nightcap, because irrespective of what you may believe, even a small amount of alcohol can result in sleep disturbances. Foods and snacks which have high sugar content should also be avoided. This is because they result in an increase in blood sugar levels, but the increase in blood sugar soon plummets and this will leave you feeling completely drained, but yet, unable to sleep. By following the tips and advice given in this article, you’ll not only be able to find some relief, but you’ll also be doing a lot in terms of reducing your dependency on the teeth guard.

Before you go to bed, take some time out and relax with a warm drink, either herbal tea or hot milk. The soothing effects of both of these drinks are well documented and reduce your chances of teeth grinding through the night and increase your chances of a restful 8 hours. Whatever you do though, don’t be tempted to chill out with an alcoholic drink. This actually has the opposite effect and can make your teeth grinding a lot worse.

If you try this and see any success, we’d be interested to know about it. Please post a comment and tell us if it worked for you.

James…

Sleep on your back. Apparently sleeping flat on your back will relive the symptoms of Bruxism, as sleeping on your sides can create uneven stresses on the joints. I don’t think that this is an instant cure as the jaws will probably need to re-align.

Try it and let us know how easy you find it to adjust to this sleep position and if your teeth grinding eases off any.

James…