08 Dec Wearing a Night Guard When You’re Stressed Helps with Grinding Teeth

Wearing a Night Guard When You’re Stressed Helps with Grinding Teeth

Anxiety and stress are common occurrences in our society, but how are they related to dentists? For those who don’t know, stress and anxiety can often result in teeth grinding. They are the most significant factors why people tend to grind their teeth during the day and at night.

From everyday frustrations to the pressure of school or work to more severe life events, stress is one thing that all of us encounter, sometimes daily! But this stress can quickly become detrimental to your health. A lot of studies have shown a strong relationship between bruxism (subconsciously clenching and grinding teeth) and stress.

With that said, there is still a debate about whether anxiety and stress can cause bruxism. However, there is enough evidence to know that they are related, at the very least!

Stress And Sleep Often Result In Teeth Grinding!

Most of us already know that stress and sleep never go well together. Stress disrupts the chemicals in our body that help regulate sleep. Not to mention, anxious thoughts could impede people from entering deep sleep.

Studies show that bruxism (grinding teeth) generally occurs during the light sleep phase, and since stress leads to less deep sleep, it can lead to an ideal condition for teeth grinding. To make things worse, teeth grinding could also result in lower sleep quality, feeding into the vicious cycle of poor sleep, stress, and grinding.

If you notice yourself grinding your teeth at night, there are a few things you could do to prevent that! Some remedies could work better than the rest, depending on your underlying cause and symptoms. To find the best solution, you must speak with your dentist today!

What Can You Do To Address This Issue?

If you are feeling stressed, the best thing you can do is look at the situation from a different perspective. It would help if you also tried to find ways of calming yourself down. However, if you continue to grind your teeth, maybe it’s best if you consider getting a mouthguard!

While you look for ways to control your stress and anxiety, a mouthguard can help you prevent any damage from occurring. It is one of the best ways to reduce grinding when sleeping physically. These guards work by cushioning your teeth and preventing them from grinding against one another while you sleep. You can get a custom-made mouthguard at your dentist’s office or over the counter.

In addition to helping you protect your teeth from wear and damage, custom-made mouthguards can also help reduce the strain on your jaw. Custom mouthguards may be more expensive than OTC options; they generally make a much better choice.

Customized mouthguards come in a variety of thickness options. They are specially fitted to the shape and size of your jaw. They are generally more comfortable than store-bought guards since they are made up of softer materials. OTC mouthguards, on the other hand, are typically made of plastic.

Other Ways To Relieve Stress

When you need to relieve some stress or anxiety quickly, consider the following tips:

• Take a long walk.
• Focus on your breathing – take a slow breath, wait for three seconds, and let it out.
• Try aromatherapy.
• Try to do something creative, like making some art, dancing, or singing!
• Listen to your favorite artist, someone who brings you joy!

While these solutions might work, if you don’t notice any significant change in your condition, it would be best to consult with a professional. They will have all the training and experience needed to guide you in the right direction.

Conclusion

Stress and teeth-grinding have a toxic relationship. However, understanding your problem is the first step towards not just addressing your bruxism but also lowering your stress, which will benefit your overall health.

We understand that it is not easy to reduce stress in life – it is often a lifelong journey. But our doctors from Today’s Dental can help give you tips on how to reduce stress. We can also give you custom-made mouthguards to prevent your grinding teeth from causing damage.

Contact Today’s Dental For Help Right Away!

Our doctors have years of experience in the field and can quickly help you detect and address any dental problems, including bruxism. Our staff is always here to provide you and your loved ones with the gentle care you deserve. If you want help addressing any dental issue or have any questions, queries, or concerns, feel free to visit our clinic. You can also call us at 815-609-1110 for more information.