Why Do I Grind My Teeth While I Sleep?
In the UK, 8-10% of the population suffers from bruxism.
Doesn't sound familiar? You probably have this condition; it's grinding your teeth, especially while you're asleep.
Are you wondering: why do I grind my teeth while I sleep? Then keep reading.
In this article, we'll discuss why you grind your teeth and ways to stop it.
Why Do I Grind My Teeth?
There are several reasons why you might be grinding your teeth, both physiologically and psychologically.
Physiologically, bruxism may happen because of your caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco intake. Or you may have sleep apnea, which also comes with a host of other problems.
Psychologically, you may be grinding your teeth because you're stressed during the daytime. If you have an anxiety disorder, then this is most likely the culprit.
How Can I Stop Grinding My Teeth?
Grinding your teeth may be causing you pain, plus it's bad for your teeth. If your bruxism goes unaddressed, it may get so bad that you either grind down your teeth or even crack them.
Here are some ways to stop grinding your teeth.
Live a Healthier Lifestyle
If you drink caffeine and/or alcohol, or you smoke, consider cutting down or even quitting. Not only will this be better for your health, but it may also help with your bruxism.
You may want to see a doctor to determine if you have sleep apnea. If so, then they'll give you the proper course of treatment.
See a Therapist
If you can't handle your stress and anxiety in the daytime, it'll carry over to and manifest whilst you're sleeping.
Seeing a therapist can help you tackle your issues at their roots. In addition, they can give you healthy ways of coping, which can ease your bruxism.
Get Botox Injections
You might think Botox is just for cosmetic use, but in reality, it was first created for medical use. When it was created in 1977, it was used to treat strabismus, an eye condition.
Its muscle-relaxing properties are extremely beneficial for bruxism. So speak to your dentist to see if dental Botox is right for you. In the UK we find most dentists won't offer this on the NHS, and offer gum guards (mouth Splint) instead. This can help reduce the pressure across the teeth, however does not treat the cause.
Also, if you've been grinding your teeth for a while, your jawline may be larger as a result. Botox has the additional benefit of helping to slim down your jawline so it looks as it did before.
Get a Peaceful Night's Rest
Now you know the answer to the question "why do I grind my teeth?". Plus, you know some ways to stop it.
The most important thing is you figure out the stressors in your life. More often than not, that's the root cause of bruxism. Once you find a healthy way to address those stressors, then you should notice a difference in your teeth grinding at night.
In the meantime, if you feel like you'd benefit from a Botox injection for your teeth grinding, then book an appointment with us today.
