THE GRIND: WHY DO YOU WORK HARDER WHEN SLEEPING? What You Need to Know About Teeth Grinding
Do you often wake up feeling tired, with a headache, or with tension in your neck and shoulders?
Teeth grinding places significant pressure on the upper teeth and roof of your mouth. In addition to waking up feeling unrested, this pressure can cause headaches and tension through the head, neck, and shoulders — not to mention the damage it can do to your teeth.
As you sleep, the muscles in your face, jaw, and neck relax. As they relax, your airways become smaller. For some people, the airway can even become partially obstructed, and this can lead to snoring and sleep apnea. Many people experience one or the other, and some have both. While snoring can be noisy, sleep apnea comes with serious health concerns. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing. You may stop breathing for as little as a second or for a few minutes. These interruptions can happen dozens of times in a single night. Every time you stop breathing, your blood oxygen levels are lowered. In response, your body tenses up in an attempt to widen the airway. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. As your body tenses, muscles in your jaw, neck, and head tighten, and your tongue presses forward against the back of your teeth. This combined effort of your tightening muscles is what causes teeth grinding, or bruxism. It is a survival action initiated to keep the oxygen level at a minimum in the brain.
Treatment for bruxism varies from person to person:
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For some, all they need is a custom-fitted mouth guard.
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Others may just require a change in sleep positioning.
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And a few may need the assistance of a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) to reduce the effects of sleep apnea, helping them finally sleep restfully.
In any case, if you have any symptoms of teeth grinding, be sure to discuss them with your
dentists, who can help guide you to a possible solution. Give us a call for a free report, titled “Clenching, Grinding, and Guards.”
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SUMMER SALAD
It’s officially the season of salads, and fruit salads are summer’s specialty! Enjoy this tasty dish as a side or main course. For some added protein, toss in a handful of slivered almonds or chopped pecans.
INGREDIENTS
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1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced 3 medium peaches, thinly sliced
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2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon maple syrup 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 cup blueberries
1 heaping tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped
DIRECTIONS 1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and basil. 2. Drizzle lemon juice, maple syrup, and balsamic vinegar on top. 3. Gently toss to combine. 4. Serve immediately, or chill for later.
Recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.
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