Stress Reduction: Bruxism and Teeth Grinding Solutions

What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the medical term for grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. Often, this is not a serious condition and can sometimes happen sporadically. If it is severe, however, or happening more frequently, this can lead to damage to your teeth. Bruxism treatment includes things like specialised bruxism mouthguards and stress reduction techniques. As stress and anxiety are common causes of mouth clenching and teeth grinding, treating your mind may aid you in treating your physical responses. Speak to a local dentist you can trust, like our professionals at Northern Beaches Dental in French Forest, and find out more about why you’re experiencing teeth grinding and how you can prevent it.

What Causes Bruxism?

Bruxism can be caused by many things. An abnormal bite, missing, cracked or crooked teeth, medications, genetics and a variety of medical disorders can all be the source of your weakened tooth enamel and jaw pain. Stress and anxiety, however, are now the most common cause of bruxism. In addition to seeing a dentist regularly, stress reduction techniques can be a great way to loosen your jaw and ease the tension. Often occurring in sleep, teeth grinding can be a response to a stressed mind and the body’s physical reaction to anxiety.

Stress Reduction Techniques

There are a few common techniques for stress reduction and easing anxiety, which you can implement into your daily routines immediately. Some techniques you can try at home to reduce stress and anxiety include:

• Meditation daily
• Practising yoga
• Lots of water and limited coffee or alcohol
• Implementing a regular sleep cycle
• Breathing exercises
• Therapy
• Planning your day/week/month ahead of time and sticking to a healthy routine and work schedule
• Walking outside

Although these are all beneficial, not only for treating teeth clenching but also for your wider mental health, you should also see a local dental practitioner if you experience severe teeth grinding or require bruxism treatment.

Bruxism Treatment Options

Whilst stress reduction techniques may help awake bruxism, the teeth grinding in your sleep can be trickier to monitor. A bruxism mouthguard or splint can be a great way to combat teeth grinding and nocturnal bruxism. Mouthguards are one option that your dentist can provide as a solution to this disorder, as they protect your teeth from further damage, cracking, chipping or grinding down the enamel. As well as prescribing mouthguards for bruxism, for severe cases dentists can use Botox and other coroplast procedures.

What is Bruxism? See a Local Dentist Now

Contact Northern Beaches Dental Practice in Frenchs Forest today or book an appointment to find out more. Feel free to call our friendly team on 02 9190 6925 and see a dentist that really cares.