Don't Be a Teeth Grinder If You Want to Maintain Good Oral Health

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Do you find yourself grinding your teeth often? Do you ever care to know why you do it? Though teeth grinding or bruxism is a serious oral condition, some of the people who have developed it don't take it seriously because they don't understand its medical and health effects. Some people don't even notice they grind their teeth until a dentist informs them about it during a dental check-up. Teeth grinding is a problem you should overcome if you are careful to follow the instructions your dentist gives you. Can someone grind their teeth without noticing it? Yes, especially when sleeping or stressed. Here is what triggers teeth grinding among many people:

Strong Emotions

Stress or anxiety causes teeth grinding in a big way. Don't say you just clenched your jaws because you got angry. You won't clench your jaws and not grind your teeth. If you often bite your tongue, you likely grind your teeth though you don't know how it usually comes about. Some people clamp down on their jaws to relieve anxiety or stress, but they still keep the stress in. Going for a run or kickboxing are some aggressive options you can use to relieve anxiety or stress instead of clamping down on your jaws or grinding your teeth. If these options and others like meditation and yoga don't help you stop teeth grinding, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.

Sleep Disorders

People with sleep disorders are more prone to teeth grinding issues. If a specialist doesn't treat a sleep disorder early, it gets worse and increases teeth-grinding chances. Your dentist will recommend the teeth grinding treatment you should go for based on the diagnosis of the sleep disorder you have developed. Mouthguards are helpful to people who grind their teeth since they separate their jaws when sleeping. You won't experience teeth clenching or teeth grinding when you are lost deep in the dream world once the sleep disorder is treated.

Your Lifestyle and Diet Choices

The lifestyle you choose determines how healthy and happy you become. Drinking alcohol, smoking, drinking caffeine and taking some other illegal substances often expose you to bruxism. Your dentist will help you know what you can do to stop taking the substances that stimulate teeth grinding. If you have some prescription medications causing bruxism, you should talk to your physician about them before you take the next step.

You damage your teeth in a big way every time you grind them. If you don't see your dentist when the first teeth grinding symptoms appear, your teeth may experience irreparable damage. Although teeth grinding causes worn enamel and serious cracks, your dentist knows the treatments you need to avoid them.


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