Bruxism or Teeth Grinding and Nutrition

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching the jaws. It typically happens at night or while a person is under stress. While teeth grinding doesn't always do damage to the teeth, it often causes jaw pain and damage, headaches, and can keep sufferers from getting a good night's rest.

The good news if you're looking for a cure for bruxism is that a natural way to stop teeth grinding could be as simple as improving your nutrition. In fact, better nutrition has been found to stop teeth grinding in cases where other interventions like night guards and analgesics have failed.

Studies have found a wide variety of causes of bruxism, but one of the most commonly cited causes is stress. What isn't often mentioned, though, is that certain nutritional deficiencies can have the same effect on the brain as a traffic jam or a screaming boss. Without proper nutrition, the brain's (and the rest of the body's) ability to cope with stress is impaired. Put the everyday stresses of modern life together with a less-than-healthy diet and you've got the perfect conditions for bruxism.

If you suffer from bruxism and suspect stress and/or a poor diet may be contributing to the problem, there are particular nutrients that can help control or even completely stop your teeth grinding.

Vitamin B

The B complex vitamins have a significant effect on the psychological processes and lack of B vitamins has been connected to problems such as depression, panic attacks, and anorexia. It's understandable then that for those with stress-related bruxism, the B vitamins would benefit. Interestingly, one B vitamin in particular--vitamin B 5 (pantothenic acid)--has been found to have the greatest ability to control bruxism. While B 5 may be the most effective, the B vitamins should still be taken in a B complex form due to the way vitamins in this group interact with each other in the body.

Calcium/Magnesium