Dealing with bruxism (nighttime teeth grinding) can wreak havoc on more than just your sleep. The effects of bruxing at night stay with you well into your morning — and can cause issues all day long.
So if bruxism is so impactful, how do you deal with it and stop its effects in their tracks? Here are three important tips for coping with bruxism that you can incorporate in your life starting today!
1. Set up for successful sleep
Sleep is critical for physical and mental health — and one of the first things that grinding your teeth at night can affect. In addition to preventing you from getting the deep rest you deserve, bruxism can keep your partner awake too and make you more susceptible to snoring.
Giving yourself a calm, sleep-friendly environment and nighttime routine can help your body prepare for a restful night and ease any tension that may be causing you to brux. Turn off your screens as early as you can, try to get to bed at the same time each night, and promote relaxation through meditation, light reading, or gentle yoga before you hit the hay.
2. Maintain good oral hygiene
Bruxism can damage your teeth’s enamel, make your teeth more likely to crack, create muscle pain or headaches, and cause issues with your jaw — even leading to temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMJ or TMD). But staying on top of your oral hygiene can help you prevent some of those effects when coping with bruxism.
In addition to brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary, alcoholic, and caffeinated beverages and foods can help keep your teeth healthy. These types of foods can cause damage to your teeth on their own — but they are also known to exacerbate bruxism, making them even more of a risk if you’re already grinding your teeth at night.
3. Get a dental guard
Another great way to help protect your dental health when coping with bruxism is to use a dental guard. Dental guards keep your teeth from grinding, help relax your jaw, and give you a better opportunity to get the restful sleep you deserve.
Dental guards like SleepRight’s comfort products are designed to give you a great custom fit — without the hassle of boiling, the discomfort of clamps, or the expense of custom dental guards from a dentist or specialty provider. Plus, they’re so comfortable that you can even drink while wearing one!
Coping with bruxism can be as easy as 1–2–3 when you promote good sleep, maintain good oral hygiene, and start wearing a custom dental guard like the ones from SleepRight. Pick one up at your local CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart today!