How to Stop Teeth Grinding

Save your smile.

Many people grind their teeth. You might grind your teeth when you are sleeping, tense, angry or tired. You may be completely unaware of the fact that you grind your teeth. If you are aware, you might not realize how frequently you grind them. Grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain, tooth damage and poor sleep patterns. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop grinding your teeth.

Instructions

1. Relax. Stress is one of the biggest causes of teeth grinding. If you catch yourself grinding your teeth or feeling tense, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and relax.

2. Don't chew unless you are eating. Chewing gum, on pencils, or even your fingernails can actually promote unconscious teeth grinding.

3. Try hypnosis. Hypnosis performed by a qualified professional can help you stop grinding your teeth. Hypnosis works with your unconscious mind, which is ideal for an unconscious habit such as teeth grinding.

4. If you catch yourself grinding your teeth, stop, relax and place your tongue between your teeth. This will force you to stop grinding.

5. See your dentist. Your dentist can fit you with a dental guard to sleep with at night so that you will no longer grind your teeth in your sleep. Your dentist can also find and repair any damage that your teeth grinding may have already caused.