[Rainbow]

Odd topic I know but I was at the dentist yesterday and he noticed I've been grinding my teeth in my sleep so he wants to make a mouth guard for me. So I googled to check what that may look like and found a few web pages mention teeth grinding can lead to eating disorders but I can't find any more information that that.

Does anyone else with a binge eating disorder grind their teeth? Are they linked in some way? How would teeth grinding cause eating disorders? I've noticed since I stopped binge eating I've started grinding my teeth more again. Trying to find more information then I can deal with both my binge eating and my teeth grinding.

[harrismm]

I am also a binge eater and teeth grinder.Didnt know there was a connection.I have 2 close friends who are dentists and will ask.

[Rainbow]

Originally Posted by harrismm

I am also a binge eater and teeth grinder.Didnt know there was a connection.I have 2 close friends who are dentists and will ask.

I do wonder if it's more a link than one causing the other - people binge eat because of frustration and stress, people grind teeth because of frustration and stress but would found it helpful to know if one does cause the other. I can't remember if my binge eating got out of control first or I started teeth grinding first.

[Alexistrophic]

I, too, binge eat and grind my teeth. Seems like it's chicken/egg thing, although I do know that I've been a teeth grinder since I was little and only started binge eating (that I know of) since around 2002.

[kiramira]

The only link between grinding your teeth (bruxism) and binge eating episodes is a common link with each to stress and anxiety disorders. Grinding your teeth at night doesn't mean that this is a cause for binge eating or eating disorders, or vice versa. It just means that stress and anxiety can manifest itself as bruxism (tooth grinding) and/or emotionally-based binge eating episodes/eating disorders...and treating the bruxism won't treat the binging. In fact, if one stops binging but doesn't treat the anxiety/emotional underpinnings, there may be an increase in bruxism, and vice versa. Treating the underlying emotional issues including stress and anxiety disorder management may resolve both...
Kira

[elle w 19]

I know that grinding has a lot to do with stress, so it's a natural connection that one with enough stress to grind their teeth subconsciously would probably also use food as a coping mechanism for stress.

On a side note, if your insurance will cover most of a dentist fit nightguard--do it! The dentist made ones are so much nicer than the ones you can get at Target or something. I never wore the make it at home ones from Target because they were so intrusive, but the dentist made one only goes on my two front teeth, so I wear it all the time and have gotten much relief from it. Except, I now find myself grinding unconsciously during the day!

[Rainbow]

Originally Posted by elle w 19

I know that grinding has a lot to do with stress, so it's a natural connection that one with enough stress to grind their teeth subconsciously would probably also use food as a coping mechanism for stress.

On a side note, if your insurance will cover most of a dentist fit nightguard--do it! The dentist made ones are so much nicer than the ones you can get at Target or something. I never wore the make it at home ones from Target because they were so intrusive, but the dentist made one only goes on my two front teeth, so I wear it all the time and have gotten much relief from it. Except, I now find myself grinding unconsciously during the day!

I'm in the UK and qualify for free NHS treatment so getting a mouth guard from the dentist for free I grind in the day anyway - have started biting on my tongue to stop any further damage to my teeth - painful but better than more broken teeth!!!!

[Rainbow]

Originally Posted by kiramira

The only link between grinding your teeth (bruxism) and binge eating episodes is a common link with each to stress and anxiety disorders. Grinding your teeth at night doesn't mean that this is a cause for binge eating or eating disorders, or vice versa. It just means that stress and anxiety can manifest itself as bruxism (tooth grinding) and/or emotionally-based binge eating episodes/eating disorders...and treating the bruxism won't treat the binging. In fact, if one stops binging but doesn't treat the anxiety/emotional underpinnings, there may be an increase in bruxism, and vice versa. Treating the underlying emotional issues including stress and anxiety disorder management may resolve both...
Kira

That's what I thought - I so need to find a better way to deal with anxiety and stress....exercise gets rid of about 25% of my anxiety so I'm motivated to stick with that...but yes when I don't binge eat I teeth grind and when I don't teeth grind I binge eat.