If you’re on the bruxism team, it’s because you have an annoying tendency to clench or grind your teeth, day or night. In this article, we explain why and how to get rid of this discreet sign of stress.
Why should bruxism be treated?
Clenching or grinding your teeth can have more or less serious long-term consequences. Most of the time, bruxism manifests itself as headaches or tooth sensitivity. But over the long term, the results can be irreversible:
- Premature and abnormal wear of the teeth
- Irreversible sensitivity of the teeth: the enamel is too worn and can no longer protect the teeth properly
- Joint pain ranging from the jaw, temples, forehead and back of the head to the nape of the neck and shoulders
- You don’t sleep as well as you used to because you’re often woken up by your teeth grinding.
Who do you go to when you grind/clench your teeth?
Do you suspect that you are clenching or grinding your teeth? The first thing you should do is go and see a dentist. He or she can inspect your mouth, take X-rays and check the bite of your jaws. Bruxism is fairly easy for a dentist to detect. He or she can tell from the wear on your teeth, the way you close your jaws or the muscles in your face.
If the diagnosis is positive for bruxism, and all measures have been taken (such as the use of a mouthpiece), it may be a good idea to take care of your muscle tension. Massages given by specialists, or an osteopathy session can be beneficial. This will give you a fresh start and relax all those muscles that have been overworked for several months.
How can I stop grinding or clenching my teeth?
Once a diagnosis has been made, your dentist will scan your teeth. This will make it possible to fit you with a brand new mouthpiece, perfectly adapted to your mouth. You will then have to wear it at night. This will protect your teeth, while taking the strain off your muscles and jaw joints.
I clench my teeth because of stress
Since bruxism is often linked to stress, we recommend treating the root of the problem. If you’re going through a stressful period, look no further: that’s where the problem lies. However, if you’ve been clenching or grinding your teeth for several months, it’s worth finding out why.
Difficult events or anxiety are fairly common causes of bruxism. If you think the problem is deep-rooted, don’t hesitate to ask a specialist for help. You can go and see:
- A psychologist: he/she will help you to identify the source of the problem. You can then undergo psychotherapy to help you overcome it. Remember, there’s no shame in seeing a psychologist, despite the deep-rooted taboos.
- A hypnosis therapist: no, we’re not talking about the hypnosis you see on TV. This discipline allows you to modify your state of consciousness and enter into a state of deep relaxation.
- A naturopath: this speciality allows you to treat the cause with the help of natural treatments.
But be careful! You are ALWAYS advised to see a dentist first, and to follow his or her instructions to the letter. Our advice above in no way replaces his or her opinion and does not exempt you from wearing your pretty mouthpiece 😘
I grind my teeth because of something else
Substances such as caffeine, alcohol, tobacco or drugs can also cause you to grind or clench your teeth. It remains to be seen whether the problem improves when you stop.
Other situations, however, are more delicate. If you are taking medication or have a neurological condition, it is difficult to get rid of bruxism completely. Your doctor will be in the best position to tell you what solutions are available to you.
Becoming aware when I clench or grind my teeth
If you’re one of those people who also clench their teeth during the day, the best way is to be aware of it. From time to time, take a break from your activities. Feel how you feel and realise if you’re clenching your teeth. If you can’t think about it, you can set alarms throughout the day to help you.
✅ What to remember
- In most cases, bruxism is linked to stress or anxiety.
- A dentist can prescribe a mouthpiece
- Psychotherapy can help you deal with the root causes of your stress
