Teeth grinding, or as it’s correctly know, Bruxism, is one of the most damaging dental disorders. At first it seems like a mild inconvenience, or much more commonly, isn’t even detected at all. This is because the majority of Bruxers tend to suffer during the sleeping hours. The first hint that something is wrong is when they start to wake with headaches, aching jaws, ear-ache or in more extreme cases, damaged teeth.

Left untreated, the continual teeth grinding or teeth clenching can lead to other forms of dental disease such as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ). This condition develops when one or both of the temporomandibular joints become inflamed or cease to function, which can lead to difficulty opening the mouth, jaw popping and chronic headaches.

So what can you do if you suspect that you are suffering from Bruxism? The first port of call should be your dental practitioner. He should be able to confirm that you do indeed have Bruxism. He will then offer a number of courses of action ranging from fitting a teeth guard to surgery.

A teeth guard is a silicon appliance which is moulded around your teeth, rather like a boxer’s gum-shield. It is worn at night and whilst it doesn’t stop your teeth grinding it does reduce the damage to the teeth. However, they tend to be expensive, at around $400 for a standard teeth guard ranging up to, well, whatever you are willing to pay!

However good your chosen teeth guard is though, it can never be considered a cure. You may be reducing the wear on your teeth but you are not breaking the habit. You will still suffer from a sore face, headaches and ear-ache, and the chances of developing TMJ are only marginally decreased.

So what can you do to supplement your teeth guard, or better yet, get rid of your teeth guard completely? A quick trawl through the internet and talking to sufferers in some of the Bruxism forums reveals some unusual home remedies for Bruxism.

How about, just before you head off to bed munch on a cauliflower floret, carrot stick or slice of apple. It is said that this can calm an over-active mouth and prevent teeth grinding. Or you could try relaxing your jaw muscles by draping a warm face-cloth over the joints.

Another Bruxism inducer is believed to be stress, so if you can reduce your stress levels then this should go a long way to helping. Have a loved one massage your neck, shoulders and back, or engage in some stress relieving exercises. You could even consider buying yourself a stress ball.

Back in bed there are a few things that are said to help. Try to sleep only on your back, it is believed that sleeping on your stomach or side can increase your susceptibility to Bruxism. If you struggle to sleep in this position then try being a bit creative with your pillows. Position a contoured pillow under your face and an ordinary pillow between your arms. This will relieve strain from your neck and jaw and should go a long way to prevent you rolling all the way over onto your stomach.

Finally, try to avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary snacks. Even a couple of quick drinks have been proven to disturb sleep and induce involuntary movements in the jaw. Caffeine probably doesn’t need any explanation, but sugary snack or other high carbohydrate foods rapidly raise blood sugar levels, followed by a sharp plummet, which leaves you feeling drained of energy but unable to sleep properly. Following these few simple tips can reduce your dependence on your teeth guard and bring you some welcome relief from the effects of Bruxism.

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