4. Nutritional Choices: The Food-Jaw Connection
Turns out what you eat can affect your jaw as much as your waistline. Certain foods are known to exacerbate bruxism. High-caffeine foods and drinks, for example, can overstimulate the muscles in your jaw, leading to more tension and ultimately, more grinding.
In contrast, a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and low-fat dairy products can work wonders for not just your body but also your jaw. These foods are rich in complex carbohydrates, which can induce serotonin production—a hormone linked to relaxation.
Also, consider integrating calcium-rich foods like dairy, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals into your daily diet. Calcium can help in the fortification of teeth, providing a line of defense against the wear and tear caused by grinding.
Chewing gum, contrary to popular belief, is a no-go. While it might seem like good exercise for your jaw, it’s actually doing more harm than good. The constant chewing keeps your jaw muscles activated, not giving them time to relax. This constant activity can escalate into more severe grinding episodes during sleep. (4)
