Effective Ways to Stop Cracking Habits while Sleeping

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Without realizing it, there are some people who often crack their teeth while sleeping. This habit is medically known as bruxism. Even bruxism can also occur when you are awake!

If left continuously, the habit of cracking teeth can seriously affect dental health and thus require special care. Not infrequently, this habit can also cause headaches. So, how do you get rid of the habit of grinding teeth? Read on to find out.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is an abnormal activity in the oral cavity, for example clenching (close the teeth to the upper and lower jaws with excessive pressure), grinding (swipe the teeth to the right and left between the upper and lower jaws) or bracing (cracking teeth) that can occur when someone is sleeping (sleep bruxism) and when someone is conscious (awake bruxism).

In many cases, bruxism occurs at night when someone is sleeping. Whereas in some other cases,Bruxism can also occur spontaneously when someone is anxious or when experiencing excessive stress.

If you still experience bruxism at an early stage - it is not a habit that continues to be carried out, this does not require special treatment. But, if bruxism has become a habit, it actually allows a greater impact, such as tooth decay, headaches, jaw disorders, and other problems.

Until now, in the medical world it is not known exactly what causes bruxism. However, people who often move their teeth tend to have sleep disorders such as snoring or breathing disorders during sleep (sleep apnea). In addition, several physical and psychological factors can also be triggers for bruxelles, including anxiety, stress, tension, uneven arrangement of teeth, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

How do you get rid of teeth cracking habits?

In most cases, bruxism does not require special treatment. Children who experience bruxism can recover by themselves without special treatment as they grow. Adults who experience bruxism also do not need certain therapies to cure it.

However, if the problem is serious enough, someone is advised to undergo a series of treatments. That is why, it's a good idea to check with your dentist first. This is done to find out how much damage to the teeth and jaw joints that have occurred. So that the type of treatment will be adjusted to the patient's condition and the cause of the emergence of bruxism.

Here are some ways to get rid of teeth cracking habits, including:

Usesplint or night guard. That is a protective device for the teeth in the upper and lower jaw, which is made in the laboratory according to the size of the patient's teeth. Materials commonly used are acrylic, co-polyester, or polyurethane.
Dental correction. In severe cases, such as the position of the teeth that are not right so it causes the inability to chew food perfectly, the doctor will improve the surface of your teeth by doing braces or oral surgery.
Do therapy. If you crack teeth because of stress, you might be able to prevent the problem by doing meditation therapy. However, if you want to change the bad habit of grinding teeth, you can do behavioral therapy. In addition, therapy biofeedback can also be one way to get rid of the habit of grinding teeth by controlling or controlling the muscle activity in your jaw.
Treatment using drugs. In certain cases, your doctor may recommend that you take antidepressant drugs and short-term muscle relaxants taken before bed. But, if the bruxism that you experience is in the chronic stage and doesn't work with various other methods of treatment, doctors usually recommend you take botox injections.
Independent treatment. In addition to seeing a doctor and counseling, you can basically eliminate the habit of grinding teeth at home by reducing stress. Not only that, if you have a habit of drinking alcohol, smoking, or drinking excessive coffee, it should be reduced or eliminated.