How to Prevent Teeth Grinding

Jaw: Largest and Strongest Bone of the Face

With so much pressure on people these days, more and more individuals are griding their teeth when upset. They do it without even realizing. This can cause several problems, but especially TMJ orTemporomandibular Joint Syndrome . This is when a person gets a clicking sound in the jaw, as well as possible earaches, jaw pain and headaches. Eventually, if the situation gets too bad, surgery is needed.

Instructions

Practice Self-Care Against Jaw Grinding

1. Rest your jaw temporarily and any stress on the jaw bone may go away. If you have just begun to clench and grind your teeth, it may be early enough for simple remedies. The first and best is relaxation. When you are at the computer or watching TV or even at a business meeting and find yourself take several deep cleansing breaths, close your eyes for a few minutes and think about some enjoyable location and loosen the tension in your body and jaw. To keep the problem from happening again, always relax your jaw muscles with the teeth slightly apart and the tongue just touching the roof of your mouth and resting right behind your upper teeth.

2. Use moist heat from a heating pack or a hot water bottle to reduce any pain, relax the jaw and improve jaw use. Keep the compresses on for 20 minutes and then do lower jaw exercises, such as slowly opening and closing the jaw from side to side. Use the compresses with any pain, but repeat the exercises three to five times a day for five minutes for about two to four weeks.

3. Avoid chewing gum and eating hard candy, chewy foods, raw vegetables or nuts. Foods that require opening the mouth widely, such as a big hamburger or hard bagle, are not recommended. Do not open your mouth wide when yawning.

4. See a dentist if the problem persists or worsens. He may prescribe anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant drugs and a bite guard to wear at night. Orthodontics may also be recommended. Most important, try to remain stress free.