While it may seem like a relatively mild condition, teeth grinding can actually cause serious health issues and should be treated as quickly as possible. In addition to dental treatment, you should also consider natural cures, such as vitamin B5, magnesium, and calcium.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism as it is called professionally, is a condition in which your grind, gnash or clench your teeth. Mayo Clinic suggests that the condition can be an unconscious clenching throughout the day or a subconscious grinding at night. In some cases, the grinding is mild and does not actually require treatment; however, in more severe cases, which are common, jaw disorders, headaches, and even damaged teeth are often the result.
While doctors don’t actually completely understand the condition or its cause, different physical and/or psychological issues may be to blame. Some of the most commonly suggested causes include anxiety, stress, suppressed anger, frustration, aggressive personality, abnormal alignment of your teeth, other sleep problems, pain from an earache, complication from other diseases or disorders, or even psychiatric medication.
How Do I Know If I Grind My Teeth?
Because teeth grinding often occurs at night, it can be difficult to identify. However, there are a number of factors that you can be aware of to help you determine whether you are grinding your teeth without knowing it. Common symptoms include worn or flattened teeth, worn tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain or tightness, tired jaw muscles, earache, headache, chronic facial pain, damage on the inside of your cheek, and indentations in your tongue.
Are There Any Natural Cures for Teeth Grinding?
Consulting your dentist or even doctor for potential treatments is important to help your avoid further damage to your teeth. However, you can also use a number of natural treatments to help combat the issue. Vitamin B5, calcium and magnesium are a few of the most common nutritional treatments, but other important treatment options include doing yoga, drinking a warm beverage before bed, and using heat to relax your jaw muscles.
1. Vitamin B5
According to the Health Wyze Report, teeth grinding is most often the result of a nutritional deficiency. As such, options like vitamin B5 are important nutritional supports for remedying the condition. The nutrient helps treat a number of the common symptoms associated with bruxism and may even help reduce stress and hyperactivity. You should take vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid as a dietary supplement each day. A common dose is 5-10mg.
2. Calcium
Calcium is another important treatment option supported by NaturalSleep.org. This treatment helps support bone strength and even prevents teeth grinding by supporting effective neural development.
3. Magnesium
Magnesium deficiency is often one of the root causes of bruxism, so taking a magnesium supplement is often a good way to treat the condition. You can get magnesium from green leafy vegetables and nuts, or you can take a combination supplement that contains magnesium in addition to calcium and vitamin D.
Try one of these nutritional supplements in combination with stress-reducing practices or keep reading below for additional remedies suggested by our contributors.
References:
Diseases and Conditions: Bruxism - http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/basics/definition/con-20029395
Home Remedies for Teeth Grinding - http://www.naturalsleep.org/home-remedies-for-teeth-grinding/
Naturally Treating and Curing Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) - http://healthwyze.org/index.php/component/content/article/566-naturally-treating-and-curing-teeth-grinding-bruxism.html
