Some of you are still new to the concept; well, grab on tight to your seats and fasten your safety belts as we take off to this bumpy ride. The medical term is Sleep Bruxism and it was coined back in 1901 by Marie Pietkiewicz. It falls under a “parafunctional” behavior which simply implies making use of a body part in a manner which it wasn’t originally intended for. One in ten people will have sleep bruxism and totally fail to be aware of the condition. The sleep-related movement disorder is seen through rhythmic, involuntary and repetitive activity of the muscles of the jaw, i.e., masticatory muscles.

This is, however, not to be confused by other sorts of movements. A number of the populace experience a psychological sleep-related movement that might manifest as a less intense chewing-like activity as they are asleep. This is no disorder and might be probably a recall of chewing behavior as you dream of the Kentucky chicken and fries you just had for lunch. For ‘bruxers’, their condition normally comes at a rate of 2-4 times per hour of sleep. If your frequency reaches this level of high, welcome to the bruxism community.

What on Earth Brings About Teeth Grinding at Night?

We grind our teeth when we are anxious, or stressed out. But when the same happens in our sleep, we can’t exactly classify that as brought about by your perturbed dreams, now can we? It doesn’t make any logical sense. Several factors come in to contribute to teeth grinding conditions as suggested by leading physicians. First and foremost, a sleep condition such as sleep apnea is known to be a contributing factor; the majority of people suffering from sleep bruxism have an 80% chance of being victims of sleep apnea too.

Genetics could also play a role here – if someone in your family has the same condition, it might have been handed down to you. Problem is, some cases of sleep bruxism are so silent such that your partner too might not be able to recognize the menace. You might only do so after spending outrageous sums on dentist visits. So, the problem might be in your family without anybody’s knowledge.

There are also some types of drugs and medications that will bring about teeth grinding as a side effect. If you start on any medication and notice such effects whether awake or asleep, halt and visit your doctor as well as your dentist. And men, if you’re on drugs, that will claim your health and life sooner than later.

You might also have all the wrong tools and bed accessories. You might be using a pillow that puts more strain on your neck than it actually gives you pressure relief. This irregular neck positioning could also be the reason why you snore and have breathing difficulties at night. If you aim for undisturbed nights where all your organs are in peace,and you’re not the least bit edgy, you need to find a mattress that works for you and a comfortable pillow is a must.

Other Measures for Smart Protection

The market is now seeing the birth of smart technology even within the confines of the bedroom. What was so common in Hollywood films is now a reality in our very homes. Smart technology is not only in our homes; it’s in our mattresses too. Pillows are also being integrated with smart technology that allows auto-adjustment during the night for proper head positioning. This minimizes the amount of pressure exerted on the head regions as well as the rest of the body. Smart technology is also seen in the form of wearables which are transforming the health industry.

You can have smart watches, apps and other apparatus to monitor your nights and give you your sleep statistics in the morning. You can also top that up with the best mouth-guard for extreme ‘bruxers’. You can also train your own body during the days and probably it might work at night too. Trying have your teeth gripped with your tongue between them. This exercise works on the jaws training them to stay shut.

Don’t let your pillow or bed be the reason why you “chew off your teeth” hence weaken them and start dentist’s visits. Budget properly and have a bedroom make-over for better health for you and your family. The best of health should be your number one objective to your family.