Calling reformed jaw clenchers

[PraiseBee]

I started clenching my jaw when sleeping after I had my first DC. I would really like to stop now. Anyone managed to stop and got some solid advice to pass on? Botox? Acupuncture? How did you do it? I wear a mouth guard to protect my teeth and it keeps migraines at bay but I'm still uncomfortable.

@3teens2cats please can you elaborate on the TMJ exercises, maybe share a link?

I just found some videos on YouTube. I don't know if they actually help or not but they feel good when my jaw is sore and stiff.

Interesting so many are recommending mouth guards. Years ago my dentist told me one wouldn't help as I would still clench my teeth with one in.

It is stress related for me. I took a chunk off a tooth once by suddenly clenching in a stressful situation. I realised that I can tighten my jaw with my teeth apart too. Unclenching my teeth doesn't automatically loosen my jaw muscles, I have to concentrate on relaxing my jaw.

The hard guard puts your jaws in a relaxed position, that’s the point of it!

@Littlemissprosecco you seem to have some specific knowledge, but you're being a bit unclear across multiple posts.

Could you just explain what you know in one go?

Other things which are worth trying (all of which have helped me because I HATE trying to sleep with a guard in and am heavily motivated to try alternatives.

There's a great hypnosis video on YouTube. I might have stripped the audio off it onto my phone so I can listen to it more easily at night. It's here:

I find after a week of listening to this as a sleep hypnosis, things are better.

Magnesium. Not just taking it, but rubbing magnesium oil into the side you clench, by the jaw hinge, at night before you go to sleep. Takes a bit of time to work.

CBD oil. Again, takes time to build up. I suspect CBD cream rubbed into the jaw would also be good but haven't tried that yet.

I felt I was clear in my first post regarding what I thought would provide a solution to for the OP.
Subsequent post have been in response to other posters opinions.

@YNK

Mine stopped when I was treated for pernicious anaemia, but not before it claimed many teeth. Don't take any supplements containing B12 in the 4 months before getting these tested - B12, folate, ferritin, fbc and full thyroid panel.

The anemia link is really interesting. Did the dentist suggest it or the Dr?

Thanks for the responses and knowledge sharing. Not that I want anyone else to jaw clench but it is a comfort to know other people experience it too. Some things for me to look into....

Hypno helped for the relaxation, I had trouble
sleeping also as couldn't switch off.
I was referred to Maxiofacial by my doctor as my jaw eventually clamped shut. It took several months to be able to open my fully mouth again.
I was given the soft guards at first but
I would be through them in a couple of nights. Then I moved on to hard guards, I found them more difficult to wear as I felt it more.
The best thing for me was quitting my high stress job so you really need to work out what's causing the issue and change that. Without that it won't get better.
I occasionally find myself clenching if going through a stressful period but generally I'm so much better.