If teeth clenching and grinding is a problem for you - you may or may not even be aware of it - unless your dentist has tipped you off that your teeth are getting worn down.  For most people, clenching or grinding their teeth is something that they do unconsciously and for the most part they do it while they sleep.  Aside from worn down or cracked teeth, you may be experiencing jaw pain or headaches on a semi-regular or regular basis.

So, what's the solution?  Well, your dentist may have already recommended that you wear a mouthguard or nightguard while you sleep.  If this is the route that you have decided to take, make sure that you have it properly fitted by your dentist. 

Don't even think about going to the pharmacy for one of these appliances in order to save a few bucks because they are not custom sized to your mouth and so may cause you even more problems.  And, your dentist will likely have access to dozens of different mouthguards to suit your situation and your budget.

Although mouthguards can be effective, they are more of a band-aid solution and getting to the root of the problem obviously makes a lot more sense.  In other words, work on your stress levels because if you are a teeth grinder, you are obviously repressing your emotions during the day and they are coming out while you sleep.

Getting a better handle on your emotions and the way you manage stress is the way to get to the root of the teeth grinding and clenching problem rather than using a band-aid solution such as a nightguard.

The first step in managing stress is to assess your diet.  Are you drinking a lot of caffeine or eating a lot of sugar during the day?  If so, cut back or cut it out completely.  Then, consider taking a yoga, tai chi or meditation class.  That may sound new age-y to you but believe me, learning these gentle relaxation exercises will change your life.  Your response to stress will change over time but it will take time and practice.