What You Need to Know About Teeth Grinding The Nightly Grind
Do you often wake up feeling tired, with a headache, or with tension in your jaw, neck, or shoulders? If so, the problem may be in the way you sleep.
Teeth grinding places significant pressure on your teeth and jaw muscles. When you wake up, you may not feel rested, and the pressure can lead to headaches and tension throughout the head, neck, and shoulders. Worse, bruxism can cause serious damage to your teeth. Treatment for bruxism varies from person to person. For some, all they need is a custom-fitted mouthguard. Others may need to change their sleep positioning. Others still may need to register for a sleep study to determine whether or not they have sleep apnea and get the proper treatment. Additionally, reducing day-to-day stressors can go a long way toward improving the quality of your sleep. In any case, if you have any symptoms of teeth grinding, such as tooth wear, fractures, or increased sensitivity, be sure to discuss it with your dentist, who will help you determine your best next step.
As you sleep, the muscles in your face, jaw, and neck relax — or at least, they should. In one study published in the Journal of Orofacial Pain, doctors estimated that upward of 30 percent of the population experiences bruxism, or teeth grinding. Bruxism is a form of tension. As you sleep, muscles in your jaw, neck, and head tighten, and your tongue presses forward against the back of your teeth. The jaw clenches shut, forcing the upper and lower teeth to come into contact. The result is teeth grinding. The exact cause of bruxism isn’t entirely understood, but it is often associated with stress or anxiety. Because it primarily occurs during sleep (though it can occur when you’re awake), some theories suggest bruxism is related to poor sleep — that is, sleep disrupted by airway constriction (sleep apnea) or improper body positioning.
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Spicy Salmon TARTARE
INGREDIENTS •
1 8-ounce boneless, skinless salmon fillet
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3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
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1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
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1 1/2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh chives, minced
1/4 teaspoon lime zest
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1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and finely diced 1 1/2 teaspoons jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
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1 1/2 teaspoons grapeseed or vegetable oil Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste Crackers or chips, for serving
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1 1/2 teaspoons shallots, minced
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DIRECTIONS 1. Place salmon in freezer for 20 minutes to make slicing easier. 2. Meanwhile, prepare other ingredients for mixing. 3. Thinly slice salmon into sheets and cut sheets into strips and strips into cubes. When finished, you should have 1/8-inch cubes. 4. In a mixing bowl, combine salmon with all other ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with chips or crackers and serve.
Inspired by Epicurious
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