3 Tips for Coping with Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
August 24, 2010
Sleep bruxism, or grinding one’s teeth at night, is a condition that can result in disrupted sleep and teeth damage. The condition can be associated with factors such as daytime stress, anxiety, caffeine intake and sleep apnea.
If your partner has sleep bruxism, you can sleep with earplugs to avoid being awakened by the sounds of the grinding. But what if you are the one suffering from sleep bruxism? Here are three tips for coping:
- To ease symptoms, try to relax in the hours before bedtime to reduce stress levels and to maintain a regular soothing bedtime routine.
- It is also important to create a sleep environment that is cool comfortable, dark, and quiet and to keep work-related items such as computers out of the bedroom.
- Try sleeping in a new position – if you sleep on your back, try sleeping on your side.
There are treatments for bruxism. Oral appliances can protect tooth enamel, and stress management can to be helpful - speak to your healthcare provider about your options.
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