Dorothy FarrarHome remedies for teeth grinding
Grinding your teeth triggers tension, exertion or stress in everyday life. The body governs at night by grinding its teeth . It happens unconsciously and leads to headaches and jaw pain the next day , as well as tooth wear. A visit to the doctor is recommended, but there are also various home remedies that help against teeth grinding.
What is teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding, also known medically as bruxism, is caused by clenching and rubbing the teeth together. This action takes place completely unconsciously for those affected.
Psychological stress and everyday stress are left out on the teeth, especially during sleep. Overactivity of the masticatory muscles often results in pressure effects of up to 80 kilograms per square centimetre. But the rows of teeth are also pressed together during the day. If such permanent loads exist over a longer period of time, there is a risk of tooth damage and the loss of tooth enamel.
Who is affected?
Bruxism is very common in the population. Research shows that about a third of adults grind their teeth at least once in their lifetime. The group of those affected typically consists of people with increased stress. Women between the ages of 30 and 45 in particular are exposed to the symptoms much more often than men. Their share is 80 percent of all grinders.
Doctors also warn of the enormous increase in children and adolescents. Although tooth development is more important in small children, almost every second young person has problems due to bruxism. Here, massive signs of abrasion from such crunching movements can often be seen on the teeth.
Causes
Even our ancestors mastered grinding their teeth. However, in prehistoric times this art was considered more of a kind of signal effect to protect against enemies. Nowadays, teeth grinding is mostly an expression of mental stress. Anger, worries, repressed aggression, disappointment, sadness – any form of permanent stress is dangerous! The high-performance society promotes numerous stress factors that the body no longer recognizes as such, but involuntarily processes with the help of nightly crunching. Medication, drugs (ecstasy) or alcohol are also considered triggering factors.
On the other hand, bruxism can also occur as a side effect of various diseases. These include, for example, ischaemia (poor circulation), Parkinson’s syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (nocturnal breathing stops) or restless legs syndrome (restless legs). Poorly fitting crowns, bridges, fillings or dentures as well as misaligned teeth are also manual reasons for teeth grinding. Children are also affected by bruxism. For them, grinding their teeth is quite normal. It is part of healthy tooth development.
Mainly during the change of teeth, physical processes take place that are responsible for fine-tuning between the upper and lower rows of teeth. The phase up to the correct bite (occlusion) is often associated with severe grinding of the teeth. If bruxism occurs in children without a change of teeth, the cause is to be found in the psychological sphere. Children often develop grinding noises when they are overwhelmed, tense or afraid .
What helps against teeth grinding?
- Alcohol should be avoided in people who grind their teeth. People who drink alcohol are much more likely to grind their teeth.
- Before going to sleep, should be relaxed. Nerve-wracking movies, thoughts, and activities should be pushed aside. The things that need to be done the next day should be written on a note beforehand. A warm bath before bed is also soothing.
- If you experience jaw pain from grinding your teeth, cooling will help. Simply wrap an ice pack in a tea towel and place it on the jaw. The cold numbs the nerves, making it difficult for the pain signals to be transmitted to the brain. However, it should not be chilled for more than 20 minutes without a break.
- Exercise is one of the best remedies for grinding your teeth. Sport can relieve tension and stress. You should exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes.
Quick help
- Probably the best home remedy for teeth grinding is a dental splint. Such a splint is prescribed by the responsible dentist and is made of an elastic material, which relieves the pressure on the teeth and jaw. This splint is worn at night.
- Chewing gum should be avoided if there is severe jaw pain. So are chewy or hard foods.
- Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages at least 5 hours before bedtime, as caffeine is a pick-me-up and makes it harder to fall asleep. It also increases the likelihood of crunching.
Alternative remedies
- Another home remedy for teeth grinding and especially for the pain afterwards is a jaw massage. With the mouth open, the muscles on the sides of the cheeks are stroked several times. Massage with circular movements, especially on the painful areas. Then repeat the massage with your mouth closed.
- Another alternative remedy for jaw pain and teeth grinding is magnesium . Calcium also helps against teeth grinding. Both dietary supplements can be bought in online pharmacies and drug stores. These minerals relax the jaw muscles. They are best dissolved in the form of a powder, but tablets also have a good effect. Acidic drinks such as orange juice are suitable for dissolving. Calcium and magnesium can be taken in a ratio of 2:1. The recommended dose is 500 g calcium and 250 g magnesium.
- Another trick to avoid grinding your teeth is to put your tongue between your teeth while you fall asleep. This is quite unusual at the beginning and seems impossible. But with a little practice it works quite well and there are people who have stopped grinding their teeth as a result.
See Teeth Grinding for more information . If, after several weeks of self-treatment, the morning jaw pain and headache do not subside or severe toothache occurs, a doctor should be consulted. He can give the person concerned a splint, which means that the grinding can no longer damage the teeth, or they can prescribe muscle-relaxing medication.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.