Why do some people grind their teeth in their sleep ? and how can it be prevented ?

Question

I know you can buy a "gum guard" thingy but other than that, any cures ?

Answer 1

Listen friend!.
Teeth grinding is definitely a psychological problem, if you do not sort it out you will lose teeth and have a lot of jaw ache.

Answer 2

I think it could be a stress thing - I used to grind my teeth all the time every night Id even wake up with saw teeth and jaw in the morning - I get depression and a panic disorder - I had to have all my teeth out (not because of the grinding but because I was sick all the way through my pregnancy) and since then I dont grind any more - I dont know if there is some sort of link there but I hope you find your answers soon.

Answer 3

I just submitted this information to a similar question. It is called bruxism and includes clenching and/or grinding of the teeth. Some have wrongly characterized bruxism as a habit. Bruxism is caused by the activation of reflex chewing activity. Chewing is a complex neuromuscular activity that is controlled by reflex nerve pathways with higher control by the brain. During sleep, the reflex part is active, while the brain control is inactive. The result is an abnormal chewing action known as bruxism. Some dentists believe it is due to a lack of symmetry in the teeth; others, that it reflects anxiety, digestive problems or a disturbed sleep pattern.

I have it too, in my case is from too much stress. I think it would be helpful to live a healthy lifestyle and not to worry much. Your dentist could tell you more after a check-up.

Answer 4

Grinding can be due to muscular tension and other neuromuscular activity while sleeping. Your dentist can make an appliance typically called a Nightguard (because it is typically worn at night--but it can be worn anytime that you find yourself grinding or clenching or due to muscle soreness in your jaw) that helps to "reprogram" the muscles. It allows them to relax so they don't constantly spasm. It's similar to a back soreness due to muscles. If you don't massage them or relax the muscles in another way, then you can get knots in the muscle. It's similar to that, but a little different. Talk to your dentist about it and see if you are a candidate. The appliance will also help keep you from doing more damage to your teeth. Good luck!

Answer 5

I had a boyfriend who used to do this, and I know that for some people, it happens because of stress....the same way that some people get headaches or stomachaches when they are stressed out, some people grind their teeth, that is just how the stress comes out....other than a bite plate, I'm not sure how else to cure it.....

Answer 6

I was told it was stress. I have been grinding my teeth for 20 years. Braces did not help, don't have tmj. I have not figured out a way to completely stop grinding them. Night guards did nothing to help me either, because I could not sleep with it in. Good Luck

Answer 7

It's sometimes referred to as TMJ. I grind at night when I'm under a lot of stress. My dentist fitted me with a night guard, which helps tremendously. Before I got the night guard, my medical doctor prescribed a mild muscle relaxant--which worked on the short term.

Answer 8

i use to have that problem...and it caused me to have sensitive teeth due to the erosion. I didnt even realise i was grinding my teeth until my dentist told me about it. I didnt use a mold...but i consciously made sure my teeth were not clamped together before sleeping. And the problem stopped after sometime and the sensitiveness went away too. Hope urs will go away soon too.

Answer 9

I gring my teeth in my sleep. I am told that stress is a factor. So I try to destress before going to bed.
There are quite a few pages on this have pasted a link below for you to look at.

Answer 10

Anxiety. Try a mouth guard or maybe Benadryl to help you sleep more soundly.