Stress and Grinding Teeth Problems

Relaxation would help, as well as meditation, finding ways to relax the body on a regular basis would be advantageous.

The body isn't dealing with it per say, it is bringing awareness to the fact that stress exists and manifesting itself outwardly. The body is always communicating with us.

This 4-way breathing exercise is great for learning to relax the body. You can copy and paste it and print it out. Helps with getting to sleep also. In time, and with regular practice, a deeper awareness of stress will become more apparent.

4-WAY BREATHING

Take yourself to a quiet place before beginning this exercise where you will not be interrupted. Either sit on a chair or lie down, feet and arms uncrossed. If you lie down and have a tendency to fall asleep, sit on a chair instead.

1.Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth 4 times.

2.Breathe in through the mouth and out through the mouth 4 times.

3.Breathe in through the mouth and out through the nose 4 times.

4.Breathe in through the nose and out through the nose 4 times.

At this point, continue breathing in through the nose and out through the nose.

vWhen breathing in visualise relaxing and calming white light entering your body.

vWhen breathing out visualise all stress and negativity leaving your body.

Then, starting at your feet, feel them relaxing as the white light fills them. Now relax your ankles, shins and calf muscles. Relax your thighs, stomach and waist and continue until your whole body is relaxed. Don’t forget to visualise the white light! As a reminder, you are breathing in and out through the nose!

Note: If your mind wanders, bring your awareness back and continue relaxing your whole body. You will find the exercise easier with practice.

Note: This breathing can be done at any time. If you feel tense, agitated, angry, stressed, anxious etc, go through the 4-way breathing for a few moments. You will feel calmer and more relaxed allowing you to cope better with your day and giving you a sense of wellbeing.

This exercise is beneficial if you have a headache. After relaxing your whole body using the above technique, bring your awareness to where the pain is and fill the area of discomfort with calming and relaxing white light. Do this for as long as you feel it is necessary. Know that the white light is soothing and releasing the tension of your headache.

You can replace the ‘headache’ with whatever condition you are experiencing. For example, backache, tooth pain etc.

This exercise is also beneficial if you are seeking a connection with Spirit. It will relax you and quieten your mind, allowing those in Spirit to better communicate with you.

I used to grind my teeth both while I slept & while I was awake.
It caused my baby teeth to break and crack (I've ground my teeth since before I hit double digits!). I put up with it and the headaches for years - I didn't know any better & thought it was normal but I finally got it sorted when I was about 21 when it caused my jaw to lock. Some mornings I was unable to open my mouth for a good hour & then it was really painful when it finally released.
The dentist gave me a gum guard (like what rugby players wear but smaller) to wear as often as possible. It wore out after a fortnight! (the worst £60 EVER!)
I was then referred to hospital with it, where they gave me a thicker splint/gum guard.
Over time I was able to only wear it at night.
I haven't had to wear it for a good 2-3 years (I'm 29 now). Now and again I'll wake up in the morning with the tell-tell signs of grinding my teeth while I slept, but it's not that often now, only when my stress levels are through the roof.

I was told it was like biting your nails, or tapping your foot when you're nervous. It's a stress reaction.

My biggest tip is to look at her stress levels. Once I got a grip with my stress & Depression the teeth grinding stopped.

One more tip, don't forget to clean the guard often (it will start to taste horrid & smell if you don't) & if it feels or begins to feel a little tight drop it into some hot water then put it on. It will then shrink back into a more comfortable position.

Hi Pip!

I suffer...or did suffer with this at stressful times! recently had a bout after a new baby arrived, and a very demanding 2 year old gradually wore me down for a bit!

Firstly relaxation is key for the future, but the problem needs to be treated too.

I even had a popping jaw joint! my dentist said " you need a brace as your jaw is not alligned properly" he didn't even ask about stress. Visited with my Orthodontist and she laughed 🙂

Its a viscious circle again...the stress causes the grinding of the jaw and tension, the muscle become hyper and tighten causing more grinding.

I banished my problem in 4 days!

You need to massage the jaw area persistently, which can be slightly uncomfortable to begin with as there are many superficial nerves in the area. Best to have someone show you first. Start slow and build up the pressure,This is the best long term solution, you need to work the muscles! and move the energy through the area!

A decent neck and shoulder massage will also help as many of the jaw muscles are situated in this area. Find a good practitioner who has dealt with this before, preferably a Tuina & Acupuncture Practitioner.

I also had 4 treatment s of acupuncture to relieve the build up of stagnated energy in the jaw, which also causes the related headaches and sleep problems for many sufferers.

Very, Very effective!

Sometimes we can't help being stressed and our best efforts to relax can be washed away with the day, but regular massage in the area will help alot!

By all means get a mouth guard for night time, but this too can cause grinding as the teeth are unable to settle.

E-mail me and i will send you a brief discription of the points you can use.

INDO ( fellow grinder...previously ) 😉

Should do some reading on Geopathic Stress.

It can cause Grinding Teeth .

master atan.

Re: Grinding teeth & stress

Another therapy you could try to work with EFT. It's simple and very effective with stress.
And the beauty of it is that EFT can easily be learned and used any time anywhere. So very much a tool to use whenever the need arises.

Whereabouts are you based? Maybe I can offer you some time as a case-study for me?

There is a condition called Temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ is a misalignment of the jaw. It can be caused by many different things, such as spinal malformation, spinal injury, malformations in the mouth, and more. One of the manifestations of TMJ is teeth clenching or grinding. The following Web site gives exercises to help relax and realign the jaw.

I dont grind my teeth at night but I do clench a lot and its a stress thing.
I noticed it first when I was up breast-feeding every 2 hours through the night, I went to the dentist complaining of "teeth-headache" and she asked if I was clenching or grinding. Once she asked I became aware of it.

I now know when I'm stressed as I do the clenching jaw thing. at least I recognise that I'm doing it and can concentrate on un-clenching. its like teaching yourself to do something as I subconsciously do it.

Mfr

Hi Pip,

I too have suffered from teeth grinding on and off since childhood. Although i agree with what the others have said with regards to dealing with the stress, your partner may find myofascial release (MFR) helpful. There are techniques we use to correct TMJ problems and realign the jaw. They are actually quite pleasant and relaxing to receive and I felt a huge difference all round when I had a treatment recently. It can help by releasing restrictions in the fascia (connective tissue) and the tension that is stored there.

I'm not sure where you are, I am based in Dorset but I'm sure you can find a myofascial therapist near you, as this is becoming a popular therapy.

All the best 🙂

Thank you for all your responses.

I suffer from TMJ and had to go on a soft food diet (soups, jelly, pasta etc) for 6 weeks, followed with 6 weeks of wearing a mouth splint full time (only removed to eat and drink). The difference was spectacular.

I grind my teeth and clench my jaw when stressed and that certainly aggravated my condition. When I feel myself starting to clench I pop in the mouth splint for a few nights and that retrains my jaw not to clench as this mouth splint hurts if I start to clench/grind my teeth. lol. I've nearly bitten through it mind and there are now some fractures appearing in the splint so I may need to get another one soon.

Definitely where the splint as prescribed by the consultant, but if it doesn't work ask about doing the above. Also find out what is causing the stress and rectify the cause where possible, mine was work related.

Good luck