Tips to Stop Teeth-Grinding Before You Seek Treatment

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When most people think of teeth-grinding, at least in the context of it being harmful, the most common concern that comes to mind is bruxism. A chronic condition that causes you to grind your teeth consistently, bruxism can often lead to a wide range of oral health concerns. This is why many people who know what bruxism is may worry if they notice themselves grinding their teeth on occasion. Fortunately, not every case of grinding teeth is a reliable indication of bruxism. For many people, the following tips can help put a stop to their teeth-grinding habits and better protect their oral health, without the need for professional bruxism treatment.

How to stop grinding your teeth

  • Start paying attention – Even if you do grind your teeth, you’ll never worry about it if you don’t notice it. Unfortunately, that won’t stop the damage it can cause to your teeth and oral health. Therefore, pay attention to how your teeth feel throughout the day, and take note of any instances of you grinding your teeth. When you do, make a conscious effort to stop it, and start training yourself to break the habit.
  • Don’t encourage the habit – Your teeth can grind together for a number of different reasons, but one of the surest ways to increase your risks of it is to get them used to always working. If you chew on pens and pencils, or on ice, constantly between meals, then your jaws and oral structures will never have a chance to relax. Even when you aren’t chewing on anything, they can reflexively clench together out of force of habit.
  • Learn to relax on a regular basis – Avoid chewing on things other than food, and you can give your teeth and jaw a break. However, even general stress can force the muscles in your jaw (and throughout your body) to remain in a semi-clenched state. This can lead to exhaustion and fatigue, and in the case of your jaw joints and muscles, it can lead to a teeth-grinding habit. Take steps to relax and lower your overall stress levels every day, and you can resist the urge to grind your teeth as a coping mechanism.

Learn how to stop grinding your teeth

Grinding your teeth often enough can cause severe damage to them and your oral health, which is why you should take the habit seriously and learn how to break it. To learn more, call our Cleveland Family Dentistry office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We also serve the residents of Kingwood, Conroe, Livingston, and all surrounding communities.