Belle Eykmans
Hash Slinging Gnasher
You may have landed here because you have asked yourself one of the following questions:
How do I know if I am grinding my teeth at night?
Why am I grinding my teeth at night?
How do I stop night time teeth grinding?
The answers to your questions lie with the Hash Slinging Gnasher.
The Hash Slinging Gnasher is the general term used to describe a person who may grind, gnash, or clench their jaw while asleep. The medical term for the condition of the Hash Slinging Gnasher is called Sleep Bruxism but for our purposes. Chances are, we’ve all heard that goosebumps-inducing and bone-chilling sound of night time teeth grinding either from our bed partner, or even our children, but we often don’t think about what that sound could mean. The understanding of that sound is important because Sleep Bruxism can be an indicator of many internal feelings, a result of external or environmental responses, or a symptom of an underlying health concern. Let’s explore:
Night time teeth grinding can be….
an indicator that the sleeper is feeling stressed or anxious in their life.
a result of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, or caffeine intake.
a symptom of snoring, fatigue, and even sleep apnea.
Not only does night time teeth grinding produce an ear-piercing sound, it also has some painful effects on the sleeper too. Some of those include:
Headaches
Earaches
Jaw pain
Jaw joint disorder
Teeth damage
The most intriguing fact about night time teeth grinding is that some sleepers grind so loudly, it is nearly impossible to duplicate the sound while awake or relaxed. Some sleepers don’t even know they are doing it until there is significant damage to the teeth.
What can you do about it?
If you or someone you know is a Hash Slinging Gnasher, there are ways to minimize or remedy your symptoms:
Minimize your stress.
Self-directed jaw alignment exercises can sometimes provide alleviation.
Talk to a sleep professional or your dentist about treatment