Bruxism is the phenomenon that occurs when a person clenches and grinds his teeth and which can turn into a psychosomatic disorder.
This pathology is very widespread, as it affects almost 20% of people who are conscious or unaware victims of it. In fact, the action of grinding the teeth occurs more often at night.
Bruxism is part of those called pathologies parasony (pathologies that occur during sleep) and is generally caused by states of stress, anxiety, nervousness.
We check specifically why you grind your teeth and what natural remedies exist.
What is bruxism and its causes
Bruxism occurs when the jaws contract alternately, creating a stiffening of the jaw, of the neck muscles. As a consequence there is wear of the dentition and the stress of the so-called trigeminal nerve. This contraction lasts for 5-10 seconds.
The causes that generate this phenomenon have not yet been definitively clarified. Perhaps because bruxism actually arises from psychosomatic and psychic reactions which, when we fall asleep, manifest themselves through the body.
When the unconscious is freer, it triggers these reactions to accumulated and never released anger, stress and tension. Why precisely the teeth and jaw? Because the speech apparatus, the mouth, the teeth, the tongue, are the organs that allow us to express ourselves.
When this does not happen, these tensions accumulate at specific points.
Why do you grind your teeth and what natural remedies exist
Among the traditional remedies, necessary when the form of bruxism is excessive and causes damage to the teeth and jaw, we find the use of byte. The byte is an object that, inserted in the mouth during the night, softens the spasms, protecting the arches and the teeth.
It is possible to buy the byte at the pharmacy, but generally you rely on the trusted orthodontist who will shape the byte according to the dental shape of the person.
Besides the use of the byte, which can have more or less high costs, we can rely on natural remedies that will act on a physical but also psychological level.
Natural remedies for bruxism
Hops, belonging to Cannabaceae, acts on the nervous system as a sedative to counteract insomnia, headaches and other psychosomatic pathologies such as gastritis and colitis. Hops should be taken in the evening, before going to bed, in the form of herbal tea (5gr x 250ml of water).
Lemon balm is a solid remedy for insomnia caused by nervousness and therefore against bruxism. It has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action, as well as calming the entire nervous system. Lemon balm can be used in drops of hydroalcoholic solution (20 drops in water 3 times a day and before going to sleep).
Tilia tomentosa is extracted from the lime tree. It is a natural tranquilizer that induces the nervous system, heart and arterial system to relax. Perfect for insomnia, stress, mood swings, bruxism. It can be given in drops for faster absorption or in the form of herbal tea.
Griffonia is also used as a remedy for insomnia, repression and states of anxiety. Its seeds contain what is called the precursor of serotonin, 5-HTP. The dry extract can be taken 2 times a day and acts on nervous hunger, bruxism and improves the quality of sleep.
If you recognize that you have this condition, you now know why you grind your teeth and what natural remedies exist. Try a few to see which of these have more positive feedback. But don’t forget to go to a dental office.