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 Teeth clenching is the action in which a person tightly holds the top and bottom of his/her teeth or slides the teeth against each other in a back and forth motion. This can be a voluntary or involuntary action. Teeth clenching is also closely related with your emotions. Some people clench their teeth when faced with strong emotions of anger, frustration, or any type of pain. Teeth clenching at night is a type of involuntary action that some other people exhibit, without being aware of the fact that they have developed it as a habit. Teeth clenching at night is considered a disorder and is termed as sleep bruxism.

Teeth clenching is mostly involuntary. Oral healthcare specialists indicate personality types and stress as the important causes for teeth clenching. According to The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, teeth clenching at night or bruxism is a complex functional disorder of the teeth, and it is difficult to identify it in the early stages because most of the patients are unaware of their habit. Most of the teeth clenching cases are related to psychological stress and uncomfortable situations. Some sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome may also be present in patients suffering from bruxism or teeth clenching at night.

The symptoms of teeth clenching may include:

• Increased levels of stress and anxiety
• Headaches
• Earaches
• Depression and insomnia
• Increased sensitivity of the teeth
• Facial pain, especially in the jaw area
• Dislocation of the jaw
• Cracked teeth
• Inside damage of the cheek
  

The after effects of teeth clenching are diverse. They could include temporomandibular joint pain, pain in the head and neck region, wearing of teeth, pain in the supporting structures, and negative effects on oral comfort.
The diagnostic procedures and the treatment options for teeth clenching or bruxism have been poorly defined due to the lack of clinical researches. An oral care specialist may choose treatment strategies like behavior modification, biofeedback, or mouth guards, depending upon age, medical history and the extent of the condition.

Some of the natural remedies that patients can opt for to reduce clenching and the associated pains are as follows:

• Drink an adequate amount of water daily
• Get an adequate amount of sleep
• Practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga
• Practice the face relaxation techniques

Patients should consult a well experienced dental care specialist before opting for the natural remedies so as to get the best results.

References

1. http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/bruxism.html
2. http://health.rush.edu/HealthInformation/HIE%20Multimedia/1/001413.aspx
3. http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/dental_care/bruxism/Pages/index.aspx

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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