How do you hold your jaw?

[Rainallnight]

There’s a reason for this question! I grind my teeth badly. I’ve recently noticed that not only that, but my jaw is clenched pretty much all the time. My facial muscles are actually changing shape because of this.

I’m investigating various solutions but in the meantime …

When you’re at rest, where is your jaw? Where are your teeth? Together or not? Is your mouth closed or open.

I literally can’t find a relaxed position that feels normal. I’m too embarrassed to ask anyone IRL.

Teeth slightly apart, tongue resting on roof of mouth.

Just to add, tip of tongue is just behind my upper teeth, and my mouth is closed.

Clamped shut. I have TMJD and also clench/grind.

Also clamped shut (fellow grinder) but I had Botox last week and now seems to be teeth slightly apart

Mouth closed, teeth not touching

I’m embarrassed to say that I’m fairly slack jawed. No teeth touching, edge of tongue over bottom teeth. I suspect that as I age, I’ll lose the energy to keep my lips together

Mouth closed, teeth apart. I don't know what to do with my tongue, I think it's usually rest behind my front teeth but it feels weird now this thread has mentioned it, I hope I forget about again soon 😆

I'm a teeth grinder according to the dentist and I was sitting with jaws clenched when I clicked on the thread. I didn't realise what a clencher I was. I think I tense other things as well, so I'm in effect a multi-clencher. I'm not a very relaxed person.

I'm a terrible clencher - so much that I now have a gab between my top front teeth that was never there! Also the clenching has worn down enamel at the back of my front teeth as my bottom teeth keep touching it. So.....looks like I will be joining my teen at the orthodontist. We live overseas and private healthcare insurance is compulsory - so sadly will be quite some investment!

Thanks so much for all the info. Really interesting to know how normal-jawed people do it. I’ve been trying when I remember and it feels very weird! It’s also temporary - I clamp straight back again when I’m not thinking about it.

And hello to my fellow clinchers and grinders on this thread.

@Itonlytakesadiagram I’m also a multi-clencher. It’s engrained in my whole
body and I’m sure it’s causing all sorts of issues but my teeth wearing away seems the most urgent. I wonder is there anything we can do about the overall problem? I’ve looked into somatic therapy and TRE but never taken any action.

@falalalatte I’m looking into Botox at the moment. What sort of person did you go to? Dentist or jaw specialist?

Clamped shut. Im also a grinder. I have a slight overbite which doesn’t help. I’m trying to “train” myself to set my bottom teeth below the top.

@Rainallnight I got my done by my (very experienced) aesthetician because my dentist don't offer it.
It's relieved a lot of the tension and for the first time in years I'm not constantly conscious about how my jaw is sitting.