How to Stop Grinding Teeth With Braces
When you’re wearing braces, the pressure of your teeth against each other can cause an unpleasant sensation called tooth grinding. Unfortunately, this is more common than you might think; in fact, research has shown that up to 90% of people with orthodontic appliances grind their teeth at some point.
The good news? You have a few options for reducing the likelihood and intensity of this experience.
One way is to try out a nightguard from your dentist or another medical professional. These are designed specifically to combat tooth grinding during sleep-time hours when most adults do it most frequently. Another option is to purchase a special type of mouth guard from your local drugstore if you only ground your teeth occasionally throughout the day.
However, there are also many methods on how to stop grinding teeth with braces. Read on for more information!
8 Reasons Why You Should Stop Grinding Teeth With Braces:
1. It Only Hurts You in the Long Run
If you don’t stop grinding your teeth, it could cause your teeth to become misaligned. This can lead to serious jaw problems and even arthritis in old age if it’s not corrected. It’s a habit that should be nipped in the bud while you’re young.
2. Braces Already Hurt Enough.
You don’t need to add the discomfort of grinding your teeth. The braces themselves already cause plenty of discomforts as it is. Don’t be so ungrateful for those metal brackets and wires that help straighten out your smile.
3. Your Jaw Could Get Locked Into Place.
Grinding your teeth can lead to locking or clenching the jaw, as well as soreness in the tongue and headaches from tension in the jaw muscles. This is something you’ll want to avoid adding to your already long list of problems.
4. You Could Cause Your Teeth to Wear Down Quickly.
If you continue with the habit of grinding your teeth, you could wear out your enamel and dentin. This will expose the nerves of the tooth and cause a lot of discomfort and an increased risk of cavities.
5. Having a Nagging Jaw Might Lead to Stress.
There’s nothing worse than having a persistent ache in your jaw. Unfortunately, this could lead to a lot of unnecessary stress and tension at home and at work.
6. You Might Damage the Braces.
You don’t want to be responsible for damaging those metal brackets and wires that have cost you a lot of money. Damaged braces are one more problem on top of an already long list of problems caused by grinding your teeth with braces. This habit will also cause problems for dentists as they need to reapply the braces.
7. You Might Damage Your Teeth
Even those with perfect teeth can suffer from grinding-induced fissures. If you continue, you could see cracks and chips, and an increased risk of decay due to increased acidity on the enamel. So, if you want healthy teeth, it’s best to nip this habit in the bud.
8. You Might Need to Change the Braces More Often
Grinding teeth with braces will cause extra wear and tear on those metal brackets and wires. This can lead to a shorter lifespan for your braces as well as increased costs. It’s only going to cost you a lot of money if you don’t stop grinding now!
7 Ways on How to Stop Grinding Teeth With Braces:
1. Wear a Mouthguard:
Wearing a mouthguard when you sleep can help protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding. You can make a mouthguard at home using wax and an old toothbrush. Simply boil the wax for 10 minutes, then form it to the shape of your mouth using the bridge of your nose as a fulcrum. Once the wax has cooled, roll it around your toothbrush and place it in the mouthguard case or under your pillow.
2. Piezoelectric Device:
Wearing a piezoelectric device fitted to your braces can help stop grinding teeth. The device sends waves into your jaw, interrupting your body’s muscle memory to stop grinding teeth. Your dentist will provide you with the device and show you how to use it properly.
3. Medication:
Stop grinding by using medication to control your symptoms of bruxism. If you grind your teeth only at night, then take a sedative or sleep aid that will help you sleep. If you grind your teeth during the day, talk to your dentist about taking a medication that will reduce the muscle contractions in your jaw. They can prescribe anti-inflammatory or calcium channel blockers that will stop grinding by reducing the number of spasms and jaw muscles.
4. Biofeedback:
You can stop grinding teeth by using biofeedback. If you are open to the idea of trying alternative therapies, then this is a great way to help you control your stress and anxiety levels, which will reduce the number of times that you grind your teeth.
5. Reduce Stress:
Stop grinding teeth by reducing your stress levels. Stress increases the number of spasms along with the muscles, which is why you stop grinding when you are sleeping; your body isn’t as tense at night. If you tend to grind more during certain times of day or night, write down a pattern leading up to those events and make the necessary changes.
6. Gum Massage:
Stop grinding teeth with gum massages. When you massage your gums, it relaxes the jaw muscles and decreases the tension on them, making it easier to stop grinding your teeth. You can massage your gums anytime you feel tense, anxious, or stressed out by placing your fingers over the area and moving them in a circular motion, which will help you to stop grinding.
7. Anti-Grinding Device:
Stop grinding teeth by using an anti-grinding device that is fitted inside your mouthguard or retainer. It sends out vibrations during the day, which interrupt muscle contractions and prevents overworking your jaw muscles.
Conclusion:
You can stop grinding your teeth with braces by wearing an appropriate mouthpiece. However, we recommend that you consult a professional to determine the best option for you. The right device will help protect your teeth and jaw from unnecessary wear, so it’s worth making sure it fits correctly!
We hope this post on how to stop grinding teeth with braces has helped you understand how braces can affect your teeth and how to make the process more comfortable. Remember it is important to be diligent with brushing and flossing and take care of any oral health problems before they worsen! If you have additional questions or need help finding a dentist near you, please contact us for assistance. Thank you for reading!
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