How can I stop clenching my teeth? I don't mean to do it. When I realise I'm clenching my teeth, I pull down my lower jaw and try to relax, but very soon Im clenching my teeth again :-(. I wake up clenching my teeth and it gives me a neck ache too. I had acupuncture in the week to try to relax me, but although it was good at the time, nothing's changed. I'd appreciate any tips. Thank you.
Thank you Cupid, I don't think it's a dental thing, it's a stress thing. But sometimes I can been stressed without clenching my teeth together, but sometimes not. It really makes the stress worse having the aching jaw and stiff neck too.
Yes, Old Geezer, it feels like I'm annoyed most of the time recently and always rushing, even when I don't have to. If you can think of a way to stop this teeth clenching thing, please let me know.
I seem to do it occasionally in my sleep, I even clench my hands which makes
my arthritis worse. A doctor would just tell you to avoid stress. Easier said
than done these days! You could take some kind of relaxant before you go to
bed , that might help.
My dentist suggested a guard for when I slept to train my jaw to realign itself so I didn't grind. But I didn't see that as appropriate. In my case the problem isn't occuring during the night.
Thanks all for your help. I'm not grinding my teeth. I'm just clenching them together. Maybe I'll buy some Kalms again. I had them a while ago. I appreciate you all taking the trouble to answer. I'll read through all your answers again tomorrow when I'm not so tired, I'll be able to take them in better.
I've had a lot of pain and clicking in my jaw for months now and my dentist said it's probably because I clench my teeth. I have never been conscious of myself doing it but I have got a hospital appointment on Monday to see about it. My dentist thinks i'll get a mouth guard for it, like a lot of people have already mentioned.
If you decide to see someone about it, go to the dentist, not the doctors. I went to the doctor and it was a waste of time as it's a dental matter seemingly.
Thanks. I will mention it to the dentist next time I'm there. But it's not a constant thing. It's what I do when I'm stressed. I've had it for almost a week this time. Sometimes I handle stress better and don't clench my jaw. But not this time.
Are you on any prescription pain killers by any chance? I use Tramadol and it causes me to clench my teeth all the time. Many other opioid painkillers cause the same thing.