Healthy Living by Kirstie_McIntosh

Now, I wouldn't normally do a post on teeth grinding - let's face it, it's not a subject that begs read me, read me is it? But I am being purely selfish here, I am a sufferer and as today's news shows that the grind is definitely on the up, I thought it was worth a few lines.

Yes, figures published today show some dentists are reporting a growth in teeth grinders and it seems; stress and even fears over the recession, could be the cause of bruxism, (that's teeth grinding to you and I).

Now I have been an ongoing sufferer of the grind for years, well, actually mine is more of a clenching action I think. When I am concentrating, anxious, stressed, tense, you get the idea, I clench and clench hard. So much so, one has cracked under the strain. Now this makes me mad, for you know, I believe I am indestructible, as well as being a religious floss, brush and mouth wash gal, it's not due to lack of care.

And, as well as breaking my own teeth, strong and firm clenched shattered the replacement too; it seems when I become 'stressed' my teeth seem to take the brunt. So what's the solution, well, I already wear guard (highly attractive, very ice hockey/rugby player-esque). And coupled with the fact that I also wear ear plugs and an eyemask to bed - it's really like sleeping with the proverbial three monkeys.

Then there's the options of a super-strong replacement my dentist suggesting that the only thing that would stand up to the challenge of my bite would be a gold tooth. Nice - I actually laughed out loud when he told me and I swiftly imagined myself wearing a hoody, trainers and my brother calling me Snoop Dog McIntosh. Maybe I could get a girlie grill?

However, as normal, prevention is generally better than cure and looks like the best way to combat the grind is to avoid the stress in the first place, that and continually, consciously make effort to open my jaw periodically.

So, give me your best chillig advice - how are you going to keep me calm?