You can experience many issues as you get older, including tooth decay that accumulates over time. If you have been partial to sweet treats but still think you’ve been keeping your diet in check, there will come a time when your teeth start to cave under pressure. Additionally, you can witness the effects of stress on your teeth. Bruxism, where you are clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, can cause issues. However, there are things you can do to protect your teeth from wear and tear as you get older.
How to Deal With Bruxism
Get a Night Guard
If your teeth are not straight, it can be pretty uncomfortable, which is why you may want to make the most of orthodontists and get invisible braces fit first. An over-the-counter night guard can make it difficult to fall asleep because it doesn’t suit the contours of your mouth. A professionally fitted night guard will make a big difference and be comfortable when you’re trying to sleep.
Look After Your Enamel
While we know we need to look after our teeth, we also must ensure that our enamel stays healthy. If we have stronger enamel, it’s less likely to chip and crack under pressure when compared to weak or eroded enamel. It’s essential to keep your enamel healthy by eating the right foods. Use fluoride, minimize dry mouth, and avoid over-brushing to protect your enamel. People that use electric toothbrushes can find that their enamel wears down over the years. If you brush too quickly and hard, you need to get into the habit of holding a brush with a soft bristle, keeping it at a 45-degree angle to the gums, and moving it back and forth in gentle strokes.
Being More Relaxed
It sounds obvious, especially if you are prone to grinding your teeth in your sleep. However, you’ve got to deal with stressful situations more effectively. If you grind your teeth during your sleep, having a relaxation method such as a Yoga Nidra session could do a lot to help you relax. There are plenty of options, including yoga before bed, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation.
Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and un-tensing each part of the body. You’ll continue until you have completely tensed and relaxed every part of yourself.
Finding the Sources of Stress
You can have a lot of relaxation practices in place. But, if you do not address the underlying causes of your stress, you may still be clenching your teeth. A lot of people experience anxieties, especially in the modern world. But if there is a stressful part of your life that you can reduce or eliminate, this will help you to relax, and hopefully, you won’t grind your teeth as much.
Final Thoughts on Bruxism and Oral Health
We must look after our teeth as we get older in every part of our lives. Some of these practices can get you on the right track, whether it is stress or bad habits.
