Bruxism: how to stop teeth grinding during sleep?
Approximately 20% of adults, both men and women, suffer from bruxism, which occurs during sleeping hours.
Nighttime bruxism not only affects the teeth but also the quality of sleep. Find out what bruxism is, how to recognize it, and possible remedies to improve the quality of your sleep!
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a quite common disorder that involves grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw during sleep. For those who suffer from bruxism, involuntary teeth grinding occurs several times during the night and usually lasts 5 to 10 seconds.
According to science, there is a hereditary component to bruxism and what causes it is an involuntary contraction of the jaw muscles: the teeth of the upper jaw push and rub against the teeth of the lower jaw, often causing not only the person who does it to wake up, but often the person next to them as well.
Why do we grind our teeth during sleep?
The causes of bruxism can be different and it is not always easy to identify them. More and more often, psychological reasons cause this involuntary movement. In short, we grind our teeth to unconsciously release an overload of stress or anxiety. Daily tasks, family and work worries, and hectic schedules accompany us even in our sleep with feelings of unceasing tension.
But there are also other factors that contribute to nighttime bruxism, such as misalignment of the dental arches or sleep apnea.
Bruxism symptoms: here are 8 signs
It can sometimes be difficult to catch episodes of bruxism, especially if we sleep alone. But here are some signs that may suggest we are grinding our teeth or clenching our jaw while sleeping:
- Headaches upon waking
- Sore ears
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain in the jaw or face
- Difficulty swallowing
- Neck pain
- Sensations of dizziness
- Tiredness in the morning
Bruxism and remedies: discover the tips
Unfortunately, there is no real treatment for bruxism, but there are certainly several steps we can take to limit its effects, preserve our teeth from premature wear, and improve the quality of our sleep.
First of all, if you notice you’re grinding your teeth at night, see your dentist for a checkup. Generally, the use of a custom-made bite (a removable dental guard) will prevent excessive teeth rubbing during sleep and possible damage.
In addition, we can try various evening relaxation techniques to ward off any feelings of physical and mental heaviness. From Hatha Yoga to breathing techniques or warm baths with essential oils, you just need to find the right method for you!
A more peaceful life starts from your bed!
We should all devote more attention to our lifestyle, trying to adopt a less hectic rhythm, a healthier diet, and all those tricks that make us feel in harmony with ourselves.
These include Healthy Sleep! If you’re still looking for the perfect bed system, a mattress, bed base, and pillow expert is waiting for you at your nearest Manifattura Falomo store!
