How to Stop Grinding Teeth, or Bruxism + 4 Natural Treatments

Nearly 1 in 3 people suffer from teeth grinding, or bruxism, as it is traditionally termed. And, nearly 10 percent of those that grind their teeth do it so severely that their teeth are reduced to small nubs.  This condition affects people of all ages, from childhood through adulthood, causing severe tooth damage, jaw disorders and headaches.

While teeth grinding can happen at any point during the day, the majority of people do it at night. And, many don’t know that they are doing it, unless their sleeping partner or dentist mentions it. That is why it can take months, or even years, to be diagnosed, and by then significant damage may already be done.

What Is Bruxism?

There are two types — one where you gnash and clench your teeth while awake — awake bruxism — and one where you clench and grind your teeth at night, termed sleep bruxism. (1) Often, daytime teeth grinding occurs when you are under stress, experiencing anxiety, or it may be simply a bad habit.

Sleep bruxism, on the other hand, is considered a sleep-related movement disorder, classified similarly with restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements. (2) People who have one or more of these sleep-related movement disorders also tend to suffer from sleep apnea and snoring.

While common in adults, this condition should be taken very seriously in children and teens. Some researchers estimate that as many as 20–30 percent of children grind their teeth. (3) Often, this can be an early sign that their top teeth don’t properly align with their bottom teeth, and a dentist or orthodontist should be consulted as quickly as possible.

Symptoms

Excessive teeth grinding may first be noticed by your dentist due to the damage to your teeth and gums. Whether you grind your teeth at night or during the day, you may not be aware of your actions until complications develop.

Signs and symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Awakening your sleeping partner due to loud sounds of grinding and clenching
• Teeth are fractured, chipped, loose or flat
• Tooth enamel wears erratically
• Teeth become sensitive to hot, cold and sweets
• Pain or soreness in the face or jaw
• Tired or tight jaw muscles
• Pain in the ear
• A dull headache located in the temples
• Sore spots inside your mouth from chewing on your cheeks
• Indentations on your tongue

Teeth Grinding vs. TMJ

TMJ, a disorder of the temporomandibular joint, can cause pain and discomfort. Injury, genetics, or arthritis can cause this condition that is most often treated without surgery. TMJ and bruxism share some of the same signs and symptoms including pain in the ears, facial pain, and difficulty chewing. One of the distinguishing symptoms of TMJ is a clicking sound when the jaw opens or closes. (4)

Teeth grinding, on the other hand, doesn’t affect the temporomandibular typically; however, some people have been known to develop one condition, and then the other. Medical professionals are not quite sure how the two are related, but some believe that long-term clenching or grinding of teeth can erode the temporomandibular joint, leading to TMJ.

Causes and Risk Factors

Why do people grind their teeth?

In children, research has linked asthma, upper airway infections, and anxiety disorders with teeth grinding. In one study, 62.5 percent of the children with bruxism also had respiratory problems. (5) While acute upper respiratory infections can cause this condition, if your child has chronic asthma, regular dental checkups are advised to identify teeth grinding early before too much damage occurs.

Researchers have also found a direct relationship between the presence of an anxiety disorder, and the onset of bruxism, indicating that, like adults, anxiety can cause the hallmark symptoms of clenching, teeth grinding and gnashing. (6) Children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder should have regular dental checkups to prevent long-term damage to the enamel of their teeth and to prevent chipping or breaking.

There is also evidence that suggests some children may begin grinding their teeth as a natural response to pain. These episodes may be temporary, like when a young child is teething or from an earache. This typically subsides when the pain or discomfort is relieved. As an aside, children with an aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality may be more prone to developing bruxism.

In adults, the causes of teeth grinding may reveal one or more of the following underlying medical conditions or prescription medication side effects:

• Sleep apnea
• Huntington’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• GERD
• Anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Unresolved anger or frustration
• Unmanaged stress
• Abnormal alignment of upper and lower teeth
• Certain psychiatric medications and antidepressants

Conventional Treatments

Often working together, a dentist and a physician will craft a care plan to help reduce the symptoms and tooth damage associated with this condition. An individualized plan may include any, or all of the following.

1. Mouth Guard

The most common conventional treatment is a custom-made splint or mouth guard, specially designed to keep your teeth separated to prevent further damage due to the grinding or clenching. While some people find a mouth guard to be uncomfortable, it is one of the best ways to protect the health of your teeth.

2. Alignment Correction

If the problem is caused by improper alignment of the teeth, correcting the alignment, before too much damage is done, is a great long-term option. A dentist or orthodontist may recommend using braces, crowns, oral surgery, or reshaping the chewing surface of the teeth to make the teeth align properly.

3. Prescription Muscle Relaxants and Antidepressants

Often when the cause is due to stress, depression or anxiety, doctors will prescribe muscle relaxants. While they may be effective, speak to your doctor about potential side effects as some commonly prescribed can adversely affect your liver or thyroid, while others may be habit-forming.

4. Botox Injections

When someone doesn’t respond to other conventional treatments, some doctors may suggest Botox injections. Researchers acknowledge there is limited research on the safety and efficacy of Botox for individuals with bruxism; however, it does appear it may be useful in reducing the myofascial pain associated with the condition. (7) While generally considered safe, speak to your doctor about any potential side effects of the Botox injection.

Related: What Is the Oral Microbiome? How to Balance It to Improve Overall Health

Natural Treatments

You may be wondering how to stop grinding teeth naturally. Depending on the root cause, one or more of the following treatments may provide relief and prevent further damage to the teeth, reduce pain in the face and ears, and improve sleep quality.

1. Splint + Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

In a study published in the journal General Dentistry, an interdisciplinary approach that included an occlusal splint combined with cognitive behavioral therapy was found to be significantly more effective than just an occlusal splint. Researchers believe the combination is more effective at achieving muscle relaxation, resulting in a better outcome. (8) The behavior therapy component will help you learn proper mouth and jaw positioning.

2. Biofeedback

In cases where the healthcare team believes that teeth grinding is a habit, and not caused by an underlying condition, biofeedback may be recommended to help relieve the symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, this complementary technique uses equipment to teach you how to control the muscle activity in your jaw. (9) Initial studies indicate that it may be effective for both awake bruxism and sleep bruxism.

3. Stress Management

To stop grinding teeth when you are suffering from stress or anxiety requires you to learn to manage and release your stress. Both children and adults can benefit from popular techniques like regular physical exercise, meditation, yoga and essential oils. Of course, a healthy, balanced diet is also important, and avoiding any foods that may trigger an allergic reaction is vital.

4. Valerian Root

Used for generations as a natural sedative and anti-anxiety treatment, valerian root has been shown to improve the quality of sleep, with no reported side effects. (12) A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that 800 milligrams of valerian over an eight-week period improved the symptoms of restless legs syndrome and improved the overall quality of life. Since bruxism is classified as a sleep-related movement disorder, like restless legs syndrome, trying valerian root is warranted. (13)

Precautions

Learning how to stop grinding teeth can help prevent long-term dental health complications, including worn enamel, chipped or broken teeth, and chronic pain in the face, ears and jaw. If left untreated, sleep bruxism may lead to extended periods of poor sleep quality and sleep apnea. It is important to find the right treatment to stop grinding teeth, day or night.

Final Thoughts

• One in 3 people grind their teeth regularly.
• Bruxism can cause severe damage to teeth and gums.
• In children, it may be due to asthma, an anxiety disorder, an upper respiratory infection, or an allergy. Regular dental checkups are advised to determine if damage is occurring.
• In adults, bruxism may be caused by an underlying medical condition or prescription medication. Treating the root cause may provide relief.
• Conventional treatments include braces, prescription muscle relaxants, and mouth guard.

Natural Ways to Help Treat Bruxism

• Try stress management and biofeedback techniques
• Consider supplementing with vitamin C, magnesium, B-vitamins and valerian
• The best natural treatments may include a combination of cognitive behavior therapy and the use of a mouth guard.