subject: What is Sleep Braxism? [print this page] What is Sleep Braxism? What is Sleep Braxism?
Sleeping Braxism is the third-most common sleep disorder, but many people have never heard of it. In fact, if you suffer from sleep braxism, you might not even realise it.
Sleep braxism is grinding your teeth during your sleep. Around 8-10% of the population are affected by sleep braxism (according to The Braxism Association). This sleeping disorder can go unnoticed for years, causing headaches, jaw and facial pain, and tooth wear and breakage.
During an episode of sleep braxism, you might bring your teeth together for around 40 minutes every hour, and be exerting a pressure of as much as 250 pounds when you grind. Compare this to your daily activities 20 minutes of chewing at mealtimes, exerting only 30-40 pounds of pressure.
Often, a person doesn't realise they have sleep braxism. If you've noticed any of the following symptoms, you might be suffering from sleep braxism:
Sore jaw and face when you wake up in the morning
Inability to eat first thing in the morning
Headaches upon waking
Wear or breakages on your teeth
Partner notices you grinding teeth or making strange noises in the night
Currently, there is no cure for sleep braxism. The best treatments involve managing the episodes and preventing long-term damage to teeth. One of the best treatments is an occlusal splint a plastic mouth guard worn at night to prevent you grinding down your teeth.
Occlusal splints not only prevent tooth damage, they also eliminate jaw pain and stop the noise associated with tooth grinding, so your partner can get some sleep too! Your dentist can make you a custom-fitted occlusal splint, which will fit perfectly and be extremely comfortable to wear.
Many sleep braxism sufferers find regular meditation, yoga, reiki, hypnosis, acupuncture and herbal sleeping pills significantly reduce or cure their sleep braxism. While these methods haven't been scientifically tested as specific cures for sleep braxism, for some sufferers, they completely eliminate the braxism entirely.
Herbal sleeping pills can be particularly effective as they help with other sleeping problems, of which sleep braxism is commonly a side effect.
For more information about sleep problems and insomnia cures you can visit the Sleep and Insomnia Guide
