If you suffer from chronic fatigue, moodiness, or inexplicable irritability, it could well be the day to day stresses of life, but it could also be of all things--your teeth. According to studies conducted at the University of Texas, a surprising number of people--an estimate 30 million--experience chronic tiredness due to clinching or grinding their teeth. Not only can this habit erode tooth enamel, misalign teeth, cause headaches, it can exhaust your energy by disrupting your sleep. If you’re suffering this malady, here’s what some experts say to do to break the cycle.
Lips together, teeth apart
Lips together
Assistant Professor Michael Goldberg from Columbia University’s School of Medicine says that the healthiest position for teeth and jaws is “lips together, teeth apart.” Get into the habit of consciously setting your jaw so that your teeth do not touch throughout the day (other than when eating), which over time will translate to how you set your jaw while sleeping.
Work up a sweat
Working up a sweat
Other leading experts in this field suggest that you walk or do some other heart-pumping exercise that forces you to work up a sweat. (Sex would also seem to fall into this category.) When we pant, we tend to breath through our mouths, releasing our jaw and keeping our teeth from pressing together. Do this often enough and your jaw will get used to this relaxed position.
Eat more melon!
Melon!
Yes, melon! Yes, some experts say that people who eat melon regularly experience less anxiety and fatigue. Less anxiety = less teeth grinding = better sleep is the equation! The theory is that melon has such a storage of antioxidants that when eaten they produce a chemical relaxing. If you’re not already in the “melon” habit, try eating a slice every day for a month and see if you’re less tired and your sleeping habits improve.
Music hath charm
Music
A recent study of sleep habits showed that regularly listening to music generally calms individuals with fewer experiencing teeth grinding. If you suspect (or know) you grind your teeth, try listening to soothing music 15 minutes before bedtime. There’s a good chance you’ll be calmer, sleep more relaxed, and won’t grind. Soon your chronic fatigue could be a thing of the past!