Many medical professionals believe that there may be psychological reasons behind teeth grinding in humans. Teeth grinding which also known as bruxism is when a person unknowingly clenches or grinds their top and bottom teeth back and forth across one another. Some people are aware that they do this as they do it while they are awake, but this is most common when the person is sleeping. Teeth grinding is extremely common amongst children while they sleeping. We all know that most cases of teeth grinding are caused by dental problems. But is it also a possibility that there are psychological reasons behind our bruxism? Let’s dig a little deeper and find out.
One thing that has been proven is that people who suffer from anxiety or depression tend to grind their teeth more often. Depression and anxiety are usually the root to many bad habits. It has been tested in numerous studies that people who suffer from these issues have more stress in their lives which also causes bruxism. If you have any current anxiety disorders or severe stress issue that are impacting your life, you should see your doctor and find a treatment that suits you. This could be the reason that you are grinding your teeth and will cause you further medical issues. If you find out you are grinding your teeth and also suffer from an anxiety disorder, it is probably true that the two are related and you should see your doctor about this right away.
There are many routes that you can take if you feel that your bruxism is being caused by stress and anxiety. The very first step you should take is talking to your doctor to see if there is a relation between your bruxism and anxiety. Many times they will recommend physical or some other form of therapy to guide you through the process of eliminating teeth grinding. Some practices such psychoanalysis and hypnosis have been used to assist with these issues but it has not been proven effective. A mouth guard might be used during the night to stop you from grinding your teeth. However, if you know that the reason you are suffering from this condition is because of your depression or anxiety, this is only a temporary solution to the problem. Seeing a therapist will help eliminate the stress from your life and find the right medication long-term therapy that will help rid you of this potentially harmful habit.
If you are suffering from bruxism as well as depression or anxiety there is help for you yet. If you have the right therapy to assist you with taking the stress out of your life this will kill two birds with one stone.
