GRINDING
FAQs
Why is grinding my teeth a problem?
Grinding on your teeth can cause your teeth real damage in the long term. In fact, in particularly extreme cases, it can cause damage to your teeth very quickly. The second issue about teeth grinding is that it can make life a misery – not for the grinder necessarily, but certainly for the poor person who is trying to sleep next to them.
My partner says I grind my teeth in my sleep, but I've never noticed that I do it.
Normally, the sufferer sleeps through it and it is usually the person next to them who notices it first. As you would imagine, sleeping next to someone who is grinding their teeth all night is very difficult! However, the sufferer themselves may begin to notice some side-effects of their bruxism. They may wake up in the morning with aching teeth or a sore jaw, for example.
Is there a cure for teeth grinding?
Medical experts believe that around 20% of people grind their teeth while they sleep. The medical name for it is bruxism. The reason why bruxism causes so much interest amongst the medical community is because it cannot be cured. Bruxism is unusual in that it is both a medical problem and a dental problem. Therefore, if you are grinding your teeth on a regular basis, your first step should be to visit your GP. They will diagnose your condition in more detail to try and discover the extent of the problem.
If teeth grinding can't be cured, how can you help me?
Treatment for bruxism normally combines two different strategies. There is the dental aspect, which could involve being fitted for a dental guard or splint that protects the teeth against the nightly wear and tear caused by bruxism. This will not help to cure your condition; it will simply ensure that the damage to your teeth is minimised in the long term.
The second part of the treatment normally involves exploring with your GP a variety of techniques to remove stress and anxiety and to improve relaxation before bedtime. It could include massage, for example, or working with a dietician to understand what you are eating before you go to bed. Some sufferers claim that behavioral therapies can help, such as autosuggestion techniques or hypnosis.
Is there something I can do on my own to avoid grinding my teeth in my sleep?
Although there is a shortage of research into bruxism, there is some evidence to suggest that it primarily occurs in the lighter stages of sleep. Therefore, much of your treatment should be focused around ensuring that you are going to bed relaxed and ready to sleep, so that you enter a deep sleep as quickly as possible. In the same way that thinking about you evening diet can help, some sufferers have found that exercise can reduce their teeth grinding.
Why is grinding my teeth a problem?
Grinding on your teeth can cause your teeth real damage in the long term. In fact, in particularly extreme cases, it can cause damage to your teeth very quickly. The second issue about teeth grinding is that it can make life a misery – not for the grinder necessarily, but certainly for the poor person who is trying to sleep next to them.
My partner says I grind my teeth in my sleep, but I've never noticed that I do it.
Normally, the sufferer sleeps through it and it is usually the person next to them who notices it first. As you would imagine, sleeping next to someone who is grinding their teeth all night is very difficult! However, the sufferer themselves may begin to notice some side-effects of their bruxism. They may wake up in the morning with aching teeth or a sore jaw, for example.
Is there a cure for teeth grinding?
Medical experts believe that around 20% of people grind their teeth while they sleep. The medical name for it is bruxism. The reason why bruxism causes so much interest amongst the medical community is because it cannot be cured. Bruxism is unusual in that it is both a medical problem and a dental problem. Therefore, if you are grinding your teeth on a regular basis, your first step should be to visit your GP. They will diagnose your condition in more detail to try and discover the extent of the problem.
If teeth grinding can't be cured, how can you help me?
Treatment for bruxism normally combines two different strategies. There is the dental aspect, which could involve being fitted for a dental guard or splint that protects the teeth against the nightly wear and tear caused by bruxism. This will not help to cure your condition; it will simply ensure that the damage to your teeth is minimised in the long term.
The second part of the treatment normally involves exploring with your GP a variety of techniques to remove stress and anxiety and to improve relaxation before bedtime. It could include massage, for example, or working with a dietician to understand what you are eating before you go to bed. Some sufferers claim that behavioral therapies can help, such as autosuggestion techniques or hypnosis.
Is there something I can do on my own to avoid grinding my teeth in my sleep?
Although there is a shortage of research into bruxism, there is some evidence to suggest that it primarily occurs in the lighter stages of sleep. Therefore, much of your treatment should be focused around ensuring that you are going to bed relaxed and ready to sleep, so that you enter a deep sleep as quickly as possible. In the same way that thinking about you evening diet can help, some sufferers have found that exercise can reduce their teeth grinding.
