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Original poster

Clenching jaw when stressed - any tips on how to stop?

16 replies

Miaou · 20/04/2006 17:06

Probably sounds really stupid, but it is causing me to be in constant pain now and I'm getting fed up!! I don't realise I'm doing it (even though I'm awake!) and I suspect I might do it in my sleep too. Not causing problems with my teeth afaik but it is making the muscles round my jaw pretty painful because they are constantly tense.

Anyone else do this or am I just weird? And how do I stop?

OP posts:

NotAnOtter · 20/04/2006 17:23

Miaow - thankyou for being there!!
The last 4 weeks ( i have an 8 week old) (( and four others!)) i have been in constant pain. Went to the dentist who said it was either muscle strain ( due to clenching) or something else medical. Went to doctors who said labyrinthitis(sp) but nothing they can give me as bf-ing. One side of my face aches in varying degrees all the time - sometimes i feel toothache sometimes earache....
My dentist said he can make me a bite thing to stop it (!) but to try to teach myself not to do it. Yeah right!! On the upside - I often feel as if when i clench my teeth i also clench my pelvic floor sub-consciously- dont know if this is possible but they seem intact after 5 deliveries.
I digress - what can we do???

CHICagoMUM · 20/04/2006 17:34

I would strongly recommend a mouth guard for night time clenching, and chewing sugar free gum during the day helps. For the pain take a course of ibuprofen (regularly for a week or so) as it is an anti-inflammatory and will help by reducing inflammation in the muscles and hence reducing the pain HTH.

Original poster

Miaou · 20/04/2006 18:05

Thanks guys - notanotter, nice to know I'm not the only one! I'm bfing too so can't take anything much either.

Chicagomum - thanks for that - I wondered about approaching my dentist. Is that something I might get on the NHS do you think? I'm reluctant to take painkillers (though I gave in just now ) as I seem to just carry on clenching then!

OP posts:

HenniPenni · 20/04/2006 18:13

Can I join? can I? can I?

Have an appointment to have a guard made next month as I clench and grind my teeth at night.(also do it if I'm stressed with the kids or when driving)
Have done it for years but it is now starting to affect my teeth.
Notanotter I also subconsciously clench my pelvis floor at the same time- not made much difference there tho'!!

spacecadet · 20/04/2006 18:15

ive worn a mouth guard for years as i have tmj, i suffer from dreadful migraines and earache etc if i dont wear my bite guard, i would recommend getting a bite guard, your dentist can also give you a sheet with some jaw exercises on to help release the tension.

Original poster

Miaou · 20/04/2006 18:16

I've heard of people doing it in their sleep before but not during the day - and it really isn't just as simple as not doing it when you realise you are doing it, is it? Driving me mad now!

Sorry for all you fellow sufferers, but I'm soooo glad it's not just me - I thought you were all going to say I'm weird!!

OP posts:

scienceteacher · 20/04/2006 18:19

I do this with my teeth too - I'm not too stressed out, but I do it when I am concentrating hard. I have a mouthguard, but I don't think I grind at night so I don't wear it. I sometimes chew gum in the day.

My dentist said that I should be wearing the mouthguard and given that I don't, then it probably won't fit any more and I would need a new one. He quoted me £650!!! (I thought the £70 he charges for a sports mouthguard was fairly steep...)

scienceteacher · 20/04/2006 18:21

BTW, I was worse in the past, with painful and clicky jaws. and ended up with braces (in my late 30s).

I think I am better now, but if not, I do have nice straight teeth.

CHICagoMUM · 20/04/2006 18:23

These are 2 exercises that may help

1.Place your thumb under your chin. Push upward slightly, open and close your jaw several times.

Place two fingers on the front of your chin. Move your chin forward while you resist slightly with your fingers. Do two or three sets.

These exercises will help to release tension in the jaw joint.

HenniPenni · 20/04/2006 18:25

OMG Scienceteacher £650!!My quote was nowhere near that thankfully. I also have clicky jaws, I can open them as far as they go and then some more(if that makes sense?)

Littlefish · 20/04/2006 18:26

I've got a mouth guard too! I grind and clench my teeth at night, and during the day. However, if I've been wearing the guard at night, the day time clenching doesn't seem to cause any problems. If I don't wear the guard at night, then the aching just builds up and up!

I had great success with a cranial osteopath - sorted out my jaw in 3 sessions. It was fabulous for about 2 years until I changed jobs and got very stressed all of a sudden.

CHICagoMUM · 20/04/2006 18:28

BTW one of the most common times people who have this problem clench their teeth is when sitting staring at a computer screen for lengths of time. So I guess I also ought to prescribe limitting MN'ing. .

Original poster

Miaou · 20/04/2006 18:31

yes I've noticed that I do it a lot when mning, chicagomum!! (also when knitting too!)