Bruxism is a sleep disorder that causes the sufferer to grind their teeth during sleep. If left untreated it can cause jaw pain, headaches, and in the long term it can cause the enamel to wear down on your teeth resulting in a sensitivity to hot and cold foods including ice cream. Broken fillings, loose teeth and even tooth loss can also occur.

Of course if you live alone it's difficult to diagnose if you are suffering from night time bruxism. Snoring or grinding noises would wake up a partner and probably annoy them! But if you do suffer frequent headaches, jaw pain or painful teeth it may be worth investigating.

Bruxism is caused by a variety of conditions including stress and sleep apnea. Stress causes the jaw to tense up which can lead to teeth grinding. Take a look at your lifestyle and identify any areas that are causing you to feel anxious and stressed. If you are working to many hours try and cut back.

It's essential to have some time each day to just relax and unwind. If you feel stressed go for a brisk 20 minute walk over the park or join a yoga class. Exercise releases endorphins into the body which are natural painkillers and produce a feeling of wellbeing.

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that causes the sufferer to stop breathing for very short periods during the deep stages of sleep. It's often a result of heavy snoring when airways become blocked. This can be a trigger for bruxism and should be investigated by a doctor. In severe cases surgery may be advised.

Stimulants can aggravate bruxism and drinks containing caffeine or alcohol shouldn't be taken for at least several hours before you go to bed. You could always try decaffeinated coffee or tea as a substitute.

Smoking is another factor that can cause bruxism. Smoking can irritate the lining in the nasal passages and throat causing blockages to occur during sleep. This in turn leads to heavy snoring and possibly bruxism.

If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth at night go and see your dentist. He will check your teeth and jaw alignment to rule out any abnormalities that could cause bruxism. In some cases if the bite isn't correct it can cause you to grind your teeth. Treatment could be as simple as just filing down a tooth surface to correct the bite.

Your dentist may even recommend a mouth guard to prevent you grinding your teeth during sleep.

Bruxism can also be a result of taking some medications including anti depressants such as prozac and zoloft. If you grind your teeth and are taking any of these drugs it may be worth a visit to your doctor as he may be able to change your prescription.

Are you getting enough calcium in your diet? Lack of calcium has been shown to cause tooth grinding. Increase your intake of dairy products such as milk and cheese or consider taking a calcium supplement.