Jaw clenching...

I've noticed lately that I've been clenching my jaw shut pretty much all day. My teeth are starting to hurt and I'm getting headaches.

If it makes sense, I'm not aware of when I start it, but I know when I stop doing it.

I have a dentist appointment this week and I'll mention it to her, but I was wondering if anyone else does this and how do you stop yourself from doing it?

Re: Jaw clenching...

I do this when Im stressed. It got so bad, in the past, that I went on anti anxiety meds b/c of the headaches and neck pain it caused....

The dentist had prescribed some kind of night guard or something like that. But my issue wasnt at night it was during the day. So it didnt really help me...

Re: Jaw clenching...

I used to when I was stressed. I got a night guard for sleeping, since if you clench at night too, it's completely out of your control and you can put much more pressure on your teeth and do more damage than during the day.

The only thing that helped during the day was trying to be ultra aware of it, so I could stop soon after starting. My dentist really detailed all the damage I was doing to my teeth, and all the root canals and other procedures I'd need done if I continued, so that made me nervous and was good motivation to check in with myself frequently.

And I stopped chewing gum too, since that further aggravated my jaw and caused more pain. The only thing that helped the headaches for me was Motrin. Good luck!

Re: Jaw clenching...

I do it from time to time. I went through a phase when it was really bad but then I stopped on my own somehow.

Re: Jaw clenching...

This happened to me real bad this year with stress in my family. (I also have TMJ so it made it even worse). The dentist gave me a temporary night guard. It really helped ease the pressure.

Also getting rid of the stress helped.

Good luck, I know that is so painful

Re: Jaw clenching...

I ended up getting a mouth guard - I use it when I sleep mostly though. When I catch myself doing it when I'm driving or at work I just take a deep breath and try to relax. As I've alleviated some of the stress, I've been clenching less.