How to Fix Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, medically termed bruxism, usually does not cause any serious complications. In some cases, however, it can lead to tension headaches, facial pain, temporomandibular joint disorder and damage to the teeth. Many strategies can help you stop grinding your teeth that largely include self-care and if necessary, devices you can wear at night if teeth grinding occurs during sleep.

Instructions

• 1

  Use devices that prevent you from grinding your teeth at night if applicable. Your dentist can make custom-fitted mouth guards or splints, which you place over the teeth. You can also buy mouth guards over-the-counter but they might not work as well as ones specially made to fit your mouth.

• 2

  Manage stress, a common cause of bruxism. Good stress-management techniques include exercise, meditation, yoga, deep breathing and visualization. Try one or several methods and do whatever works best for you.

• 3

  Avoid foods and drinks that might contribute to teeth grinding, recommends WebMD. These include caffeinated beverages, chocolate, alcohol and chewing gum.

• 4

  Promote relaxation of the jaw. If you find you grind your teeth at night, applying moist heat to the jaw muscles before bed can help relax them. Do not chew on non-food items like pens and the eraser portion of a pencil. Practice placing your tongue in between your teeth with your lips closed -- this positioning takes stress off the jaw muscles and prevents you from grinding your teeth.

• 5

  Experiment with biofeedback, recommends alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil. This technique helps you increase your awareness and control of bodily responses like teeth grinding by attaching sensors to the body that track physiological changes and notify you through visual representations or sounds. You can visit biofeedback practitioners or purchase devices on your own and follow instructions on proper use. If you decide to visit a practitioner, look for one who has certification from the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America.