3 Tips for Managing Bruxism

Bruxism is the technical term for nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching. Not only can bruxism result in disrupted sleep patterns, but it can also damage your teeth. 

Bruxism can be caused by several issues, including: 

• Drinking too much caffeine 
• Struggling with an anxiety disorder 
• Sleep apnea 
• A side effect of certain medications 
• Snoring 

You may be suffering from bruxism and not even know it! Most people only realize they’re clenching and grinding their teeth in their sleep is when a sleeping partner brings it up, or their dentist diagnoses it. The symptoms of bruxism include the following:  

• Headaches in the morning 
• Pain or a clicking sound when opening or closing the jaw
• Tight or achy jaw muscles 
• Pain that feels as if it’s coming from the ear 
• Tooth pain and sensitivity  

There is no cure for bruxism, but there are a few ways to manage the symptoms:

• Create a relaxing sleep environment- The ideal sleep environment is comfortable, cool, and dark. We recommend putting down screens (laptop, phone, tablet) at least one hour before going to bed. Blue light from electronic screens can inhibit melatonin production in the body, causing sleep problems. 
• Change your sleeping position – In the same way that changing position can stop you from snoring, it can also ease the bruxism flare-ups. If you’re used to sleeping on your back, switch to one of your sides, and vice versa. 
• Reduce stress as much as possible – Reducing stress not only helps to eliminate your bruxism but will also improve your overall health. 
• Wear a nightguard to bed – If you suffer from bruxism at any severity, a nightguard is a necessity. Nightguards are dental appliance worn to bed, similar to a retainer. The nightguard acts as a cushion between the jaws so that even if you grind, no damage is done to your teeth. 

If you suffer from bruxism and would like to talk about a custom nightguard in Miami, Florida, please contact Jennifer Lopez Dental to make an appointment!