Clenching teeth - how to stop

[Marijn]

How can I stop clenching my teeth? I don't mean to do it. When I realise I'm clenching my teeth, I pull down my lower jaw and try to relax, but very soon Im clenching my teeth again :-(. I wake up clenching my teeth and it gives me a neck ache too. I had acupuncture in the week to try to relax me, but although it was good at the time, nothing's changed. I'd appreciate any tips. Thank you.

[cupid04]

Have you asked your dentist?

[cupid04]

Is there something going on in your life at the moment that you are particularly uptight and worried about?

[Marijn]

Thank you Cupid, I don't think it's a dental thing, it's a stress thing. But sometimes I can been stressed without clenching my teeth together, but sometimes not. It really makes the stress worse having the aching jaw and stiff neck too.

[Old_Geezer]

I wish I knew. I do it every time I'm annoyed, which is most of the time it seems. I'm sure it's ruining my teeth, not to mention my fillings.

[Marijn]

Yes, a few things.

[jno]

osteopathy might help, if pressure can be taken off your neck muscles.

[Marijn]

Yes, Old Geezer, it feels like I'm annoyed most of the time recently and always rushing, even when I don't have to. If you can think of a way to stop this teeth clenching thing, please let me know.

[Marijn]

Thanks jno. It's the teeth clenching that gives me the neck ache. How can I stop doing that?

[pusskin]

My sister has the same trouble. She had a guard to wear every night while in bed. it really did work and stopped a lot of pain

[cupid04]

I seem to do it occasionally in my sleep, I even clench my hands which makes
my arthritis worse. A doctor would just tell you to avoid stress. Easier said
than done these days! You could take some kind of relaxant before you go to
bed , that might help.

[jno]

if you're doing it at night, ask your dentist about a mouthguard (I have one)

[Old_Geezer]

My dentist suggested a guard for when I slept to train my jaw to realign itself so I didn't grind. But I didn't see that as appropriate. In my case the problem isn't occuring during the night.

[jno]

notafish, it's possible that tight muscles encourage you to clench your teeth - though you'd need professional advice on that rather than mine.

[Marijn]

Thanks all for your help. I'm not grinding my teeth. I'm just clenching them together. Maybe I'll buy some Kalms again. I had them a while ago. I appreciate you all taking the trouble to answer. I'll read through all your answers again tomorrow when I'm not so tired, I'll be able to take them in better.

[erin-x]

I've had a lot of pain and clicking in my jaw for months now and my dentist said it's probably because I clench my teeth. I have never been conscious of myself doing it but I have got a hospital appointment on Monday to see about it. My dentist thinks i'll get a mouth guard for it, like a lot of people have already mentioned.

If you decide to see someone about it, go to the dentist, not the doctors. I went to the doctor and it was a waste of time as it's a dental matter seemingly.

[Marijn]

Thanks. I will mention it to the dentist next time I'm there. But it's not a constant thing. It's what I do when I'm stressed. I've had it for almost a week this time. Sometimes I handle stress better and don't clench my jaw. But not this time.

[Old_Geezer]

If my dentist is typical they make no distinction between clenching and grinding.

[DTCwordfan]

excuse th intervention, nota:

OG, I may have found your vino - in Maidenhead, by the case.......over on NoM's thread.

[Old_Geezer]

Aye thanks. Did see it and reply.
I'll tell my woman and see if she wishes to send for a case.

[daffy654]

Are you on any prescription pain killers by any chance? I use Tramadol and it causes me to clench my teeth all the time. Many other opioid painkillers cause the same thing.