If you’ve been diagnosed with bruxism, a condition where you regularly grind your teeth, it’s not something to just brush aside. Over time, this constant grinding can leave permanent damage, including wearing down enamel and tooth fractures.

Oftentimes, teeth grinding happens when you’re asleep so you may be wondering what you can actually do to stop the problem. While the best course of action is to consult a dentist to get a personalized treatment plan, here are common solutions:

Get a Custom Mouthguard

To protect your teeth from tooth grinding, one of the best things you can do is to see a dental professional in order to get a custom mouthguard made. While this won’t necessarily stop you from grinding your teeth, it will help preserve your teeth from the damages of grinding.

Seek Stress Reduction Therapies

Many people grind their teeth because of stress. If you think this is the case for you, you can consult your doctor and dentist about strategies for reducing stress. This may mean seeking counseling, practicing meditation, or building a new exercise regimen.

Practice Mouth Exercises

Some people are able to manage their teeth grinding by practicing certain exercises that help change the position of their mouth or relax the jaw. One example of this is putting the tip of your tongue between your teeth when you observe that you’re clenching your teeth. Another is saying the letter “n,” which keeps your top and bottom teeth apart. You can ask your dentist about what exercises to try.

Bruxism Treatment at Jackson Smiles Family Dentistry

Do you need help with your bruxism? Contact Jackson Smiles Family Dentistry today! As part of our many different dental services, we offer custom-made night guards for bruxism. Dr. Patel and the rest of our friendly team are standing by to help you achieve your best smile.