Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common condition that many people are unaware they have. It usually happens at night when you’re sleeping, and over time, it can cause serious damage to your teeth. Night guards near you are one solution that helps protect your teeth, but what if you could address the problem in a more natural way? Yoga, known for reducing stress and promoting relaxation, may be an effective way to prevent teeth grinding by helping your body and mind relax before bed. Here, we will explore how stress contributes to teeth grinding and discover specific yoga poses that can help to prevent bruxism naturally.
What Is Teeth Grinding and Why Should You Care?
Teeth grinding involves clenching or grinding your teeth most often while sleeping. Over time, this can wear down your tooth enamel, create jaw pain, and possibly result in fractured teeth. Many do not know they are grinding their teeth until they start to have headaches or neck discomfort. For this reason, your general health depends on you discovering solutions to halt or lessen grinding.
How Can Yoga Help Reduce Teeth Grinding?
Two main reasons for teeth grinding are stress and worry. Here is where yoga finds application. Yoga lowers stress by helping you to calm your body and mind. It also promotes rest, which can help to release the tension in your neck and jaw that sometimes causes grinding. Many studies have shown how beneficial yoga is for stress management, and that includes both helping with yoga and teeth grinding.
Regular yoga helps you reduce worry and improve your sleep, both important aspects of controlling bruxism. Correct yoga poses help you to release tension from your muscles and calm your mind before bed, facilitating the awakening free from pain.
Top 5 Yoga Poses to Combat Teeth Grinding
Here are five yoga poses that can help you manage teeth grinding by relaxing key muscles in your body and reducing stress.
Child’s Pose (Balasana): This simple pose allows your entire body to relax. It’s great for releasing tension in your back and shoulders, which helps reduce stress overall.
Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): By gently stretching your neck and back, this pose helps you loosen up the muscles that can tighten when you grind your teeth. It’s also a great way to start or end your day.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): This pose opens up your chest and shoulders while relieving stress in your body. It can help you release any tension you’re holding, especially in your upper body.
Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani): Perfect for deep relaxation, this pose reduces stress and improves circulation, helping you feel calm and relaxed before bed.
Corpse Pose (Savasana): The ultimate relaxation pose, Savasana encourages full-body relaxation, calming both your mind and muscles. It’s a great way to end a yoga session and prepare for restful sleep.
These yoga poses for teeth grinding can be easily practiced at home and are excellent for reducing muscle tension and stress before bedtime.
Other Oral Health Benefits of Yoga
In addition to helping with bruxism, yoga can also promote quality sleep and help you breathe better, which are both important for oral health. Deep breathing exercises in yoga help reduce anxiety, making it less likely for you to grind your teeth during the night.
Having a schedule with these basic yoga poses will help you naturally improve your oral condition and mental state. You might even find that bruxism’s symptoms fade with time.
An Orthodontist Can Offer Personalized Solutions
Yoga is one of the leading tools for managing tension and stopping teeth grinding. However, if you are having continuous problems, you should visit an orthodontist. Totally Orthodontics provides professional guidance using the top orthodontist in NE Calgary. Whether your needs require night guards or other options, we can help you maintain your smile and feel confident!