Clenching Teeth

[AmorRoark]

I have a serious problem with this. From what I can notice I clench my teeth nearly constantly. I didn't use to and I figure I clench for a stress reliever. I'm a fairly stressed-out person in general but I think in the past year the stress has resulted in my clenching. I have a couple questions:

1. What kind of dental damage am I doing to myself due to this clenching?
2. Considering I'm pretty sure this habit didn't start becoming consistent until the last year, can I not handle my current life path? If no what do I do as I cannot imagine abandoning my dream regardless of the stress?
3. Is there any (realistic and proven effective) treatment to stop myself from clenching my teeth all time?

This is a big worry for me (oh big surprise, another worry ) so any advice would be much appreciated.

As a forewarning I am certainly open to something like yoga or meditation if one thinks it would help. HOWEVER my field is notoriously EXTREMELY stressful and I can imagine most people being very anxious as it is seemingly a necessity to this sort of career. Surely there are super in-check Zen attorneys in my profession who don't stress unnecessarily (or at all) but it's very rare and right now I need a path that changes my discomfort in possibly fucking up my dental and probably my life in general.

 

[Ds]

Wow I just noticed that I clench my teeth to. I don't mean to, like you said it's a stress reliver.
I've recently been having bad dreams of me clenching my teeth so hard that they break!! Thats a fucked up dream!!!!!! It's scary!
Man I bet it is doing some damage to our teeth, i notice that hot and cold things a lot more.

 

[n3ophy7e]

Oh my yes, it is certainly doing damage to your teeth AR and D's!! Both of you should seriously look in to trying to stop this.

Both my parents are dentists and I've heard some horror stories of tooth damage from jaw-clenching. Just awful. It can be a very serious problem.

First thing would be to see your dentist and get them to check the extent of the damage. They may get some mouthguards made up for you to wear during the night (when a lot of stressed people jaw-clench, and aren't even aware of it. D's this would be why you're having dreams about losing your teeth!!) and you could even wear these when you're awake and clenching.

BUT, you need to get to the source of the stress, so that you can work towards stopping the jaw-clenching. An obvious method of stress-relief is getting rid of what's stressing you out:
*Work out ways to manage your time more effectively so you're not always rushing
*Deligate tasks to other people who are willing to help you so you don't have too much on your plate, or cut out some extra-curricular activities so you've got more time to focus on the necessary stuff

Stress-relieving activities:
*Yoga and/or Pilates
*Cardio-vascular exercise
*Massage therapy
*Meditation
etc.

Perhaps think about getting some therapy/counselling too, so you can discuss your stressors with someone, and possibly learn some methods to cope mentally.

Also make sure you're getting adequate nutrition and hydration so that you're body and immune system can deal with the stress.

 

[Clean_Cut]

Maybe try magnesium as a supplement. A lot of body builders use it when working out to stop their muscles from hurting during the repair phase.
The basic idea is that the magnesium slows the firing of cells.
But, I'm not too sure how this may correllate with stress...worth a try maybe?

 

[LivingInTheMoment]

There are negative effects of chain reactions that create TMJ problems (TemporalMandibularJoint)
at the jaw joint. It may be locally involveing hyperactivity and tension in the temporal and masseter
muscles, and reciprocal inhibition occurs in the surrounding muscles, and certain develop a spasm.
The imbalance alter the ideal position of the condyle and leads to a redistribution of stress on the joint
while contributing to degenerative changes and muscular dysfunction.
The upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenii, etc., etc.,and temporalis muscles all show
a tendency to tighten and develop a smasm. The scalenes are unpredictable when overloaded.
A repetition, will make this a pattern and will set off automatically.

The scalenes are muscles which assist the general breathing by lifting the clavicle, and are also
the muscles which assist crying. if stress, or distress (inner) is not released in tears, the go
into contraction by shortening and into a spasm and pull the cervical vertebrae out of alignment.
This causes a shortening of the ligaments in the TMJ and clenching occurs. It occurs automatically
after a while when the pattern is set.

Certain therapists assist releasing these with certain techniques including manipulation or
other. If you are interested to find out such therapies, please pm me.

 

[ocean]

I don't have much helpful info to add here- but I clench and my husband grinds.
Both of us suffer from chronic pain.....(the dentist says it is common in people who suffer from chronic pain)
My husband recently had a tooth removed b/c he broke it grinding and it was wiggling loose.
I'm sure you can imagine, it was very painful.
For some reason I clench when I am washing dishes, or cleaning.
If I am concentrating on something....
And I must do it in my sleep b/c I get some pretty nasty jaw pain.....
Not sure if it is TMJ (my mother has that) or if it is just because....
ITs not a good feeling though.
I have found that muscle relaxers before bed helps a little.....

 

[KStoner6tb]

I have a very big problem with clenching/grinding. I just went to the dentist, and was told the bones under my teeth are potruding wayyy far outside of my gumline because of all the pressure. I don't know what to do though.

Ocean I'm the same way. Anytime I'm concentrating, or straining I grind the shit ouf of my teeth. Even little things like petting the dog, I catch myself gritting my teeth. The dentist seems to think I do most of the damage at night, and recommended me getting a night guard. But I honestly feel I do most of it while I'm awake. My 4 most rear molars are worn about halfway down from grinding and are becoming extra senstive

All I can recommend besides a night guard(cuz you're probably grinding in your sleep at least a little) is to make an effort and focus on not doin it during the day. It's hard too.

 

[thujone]

Maybe try magnesium as a supplement. A lot of body builders use it when working out to stop their muscles from hurting during the repair phase.
The basic idea is that the magnesium slows the firing of cells.
But, I'm not too sure how this may correllate with stress...worth a try maybe?

yep. calcium works as well. one of the things i always buy before rolling is mineral water that's high in Ca and Mg, once the jaw-clenching starts two or three glasses of it quells even the worst case

 

[AmorRoark]

Thanks all. I'm going to the dentist, going to check out Mg & Ca, and have stopped clenching so much as simply keeping myself aware of it seems to be working so far.

 

[dragonslayer428]

My dentist fitted me with a mouth guard for night time because I was getting cracked teeth. She told me that when I'm stressed during the day, to wear it (although I don't wear it during the day too often...it makes me look like a retard). Mine cost me $600...yep...they are fuckin expensive! However, you can buy a cheap one at a pharmacy or grocery store.

 

[Jackal]

I have had this problem for quite a while. My dentist was insistent that I get a device to wear while sleeping, the last time I saw her.

My jaw cracks audibly when I am recently awakened. A friend who is a Jaw specialist tellls me to put my fist beneath my chin and push against it as I open my mouth to ease this.

 

[belarki]

My dentist fitted me with a mouth guard for night time because I was getting cracked teeth. ... Mine cost me $600...yep...they are fuckin expensive!....

Ditto, I'm a bad night-time-teeth grinder. I had a mouth guard fitted a few years ago that set me back around $700 by the time I'd paid for the guard and a couple of dentist appointments... definitely not cheap. I need a new one now but can't really afford it.... I'd post a pic of my f*cked up teeth but have lent my camera to my sister :D

The scary little fact is that when asleep you can grind/clench your teeth many times harder than you can consciously!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruxism

Funny you mention having dreams about losing your teeth D's, I do too!

+1 to the magnesium and looking at natural methods stress relief suggestions

 

[jackie jones]

You could get overdevelopment of the mandibular muscles (also a reason to not chew gum). Not to worry, AmorRoark. You would be beautiful even if you had the jaw muscles of a bulldog. =P

Have you tried muscle relaxers or mouth guards?

 

[addictivepersona]

There is some usefully information in here--Anyone have anything useful to add?

I'm especially interested about the mouth guards referenced here--In particular whether it's possible for one to be fitted for wear over an orthodontics retainer, or if I'd have to choose one or the other...

Been having a major issue with this lately, though it's been an issue for a long time... :-/ I've found a couple things that work for me, but neither can relieve it all the time...

 

[CHiLD-0F-THE-BEAT]

I'm going to send Busty_St_Clare into this thread. He treats a lot of his patients for chronic grinding and related jaw pain.

I have been using a mouth-guard for years now, and I swear by it. My neck and jaw pain as well as frequent headaches have stopped since I started using it. 'Lucky' for me, the majority of my clenching / grinding tends to happen while I'm asleep so it's relatively easy to treat.

 

[addictivepersona]

I don't think I grind at night, but I do have strange wear marks on my lower front teeth which I assume is from my bottom retainer being moved as I wear it (at night), so maybe I do? I dunno. I know it's mainly during the waking hours. And I've had this problem for more than a little while: Last August/September my jaw started popping, so I asked my dental hygienist (dentist wasn't available) and she said I probably clench my teeth--She was right on the money there. Throughout the year, my stress levels roller costered, so I didn't want to go out and get something for a few hundred dollars that I wouldn't need in a month, you know? I also really don't want to have to chose between wearing a mouth guard for grinding and my orthodontics retainers--I quit wearing the bottom one once and now I'm paying the price for my one tooth having shifted noticeably. /rambling. Where's Busty? ;)

 

[patra]

When I'm stressed I clench my jaw at night. It isn't a stress reliever, in fact knowing that I'm clenching my jaw stresses me out more and exacerbates the problem. I've done it as long as I can remember, and it's awful - I really sympathize with what you're going through. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (eating right, managing stress, working out) might help you naturally cut back on it, as well as consulting with a dentist. A friend swears by meditation for stress reduction. I don't think you have to give up your dreams or career path, just try to do everything you can to be healthier!

 

[TurelGrigori]

Some Traditional Chines Medicine practioners consider nocturnal bruxism to be the result of a "hot liver" and have recommended Tienchi for it.

The majority of health professionalism attribute bruxism to stress or consider it to be just something that just happens. Once in a while it is related to some sort of malocclusion(misalignment of one's bite). Dentists are the best proffesionals to go to about bruxism and the most common treatment is to fit the patient with an appliance to minimize grinding and protect the teeth called a splint. Bruxism can cause a lot of damage over time. Worn down teeth is a common result over time and some bruxers even crack teeth as they get older. TMJ problems like pain or spasms can come about from bruxing, people can even progress into arthritic problems with their TMJ. Managing TMJ and bruxism sometimes alleviates headaches, tinnitus, dizziness or other problems that don't readily appear related to bruxism and TMJ issues.

http://www.medicinenet.com/temporom...m#temporomandibular_joint_tmj_disorders_facts

 

[twentysix]

I doubt it was just clenching but I broke all of my current back teeth but one, the top left. Lived with half a tooth on rear right for a few years. Bruxing sucks. For me it took retraining. I got a splint to use in my sleep that reset my jaw position. Strengthened muscles certain ways. All pressure on splint was placed on front, between middle front teeth. Kept back apart. Helped.

A good exercise to do, for me, was pressing my tongue.. the tip against the roof of mouth just behind top two front teeth. In that point where teeth start roof begins. Exert force here, consciously... eventually you may do this somewhat naturally- in place of bruxing. I still nearly clench when on certain drugs, or times of stress other ways, but even on psyches, I do my tongue thing and it holds the teeth apart... mostly.

Sometimes I press lips together intensely. Which also helps.. kind of a smile expression at times, so it works.

Elimination of food sensitivities/allergies also relieves tension in general. I don't know if it would have been an issue with me- bruxing, had it not been for allergies.

 

[Busty St Clare]

All pressure on splint was placed on front, between middle front teeth. Kept back apart. Helped.

I prefer to have balanced pressure cross the whole arch because it lessens the chance of creating an open bite like this...

NSFW:

Splints are pretty much the only way you can physically protect your teeth wear and tear due to night time clenching and grinding. The positions you will manoeuvre your teeth into during your sleep would amaze. Splints will often release tension by opening the jaw space and lengthening the muscles, making it difficult to shorten your muscles creating knots, particularly in the temple and masseter ( chipmunk muscle) regions. The only problem with them is you can over time adapt and clench in the new splint position so you need to change them from time to time.

Lately I have been using botox to treat muscle tension with great success. It is short acting, anything from 6months to a year but is really effective in reducing the muscle pains and headaches such as migraines that clenching in particular can produce. I charge about the same as I do for a splint so a lot of patients prefer this treatment over something they have to wear at night. It doesn't protect against the chipping of your teeth though so I would always recommend a physical splint to drug users.