Poorly chicken

[The Dogmother]

I have to admit to being a dreadful tooth clencher; a few years back it started at night only, and I'd wake up with a stiff jaw and neck. I don't think that I grind them, just clench. Lately (with all the stress of the last couple of years) I have started to do it in the day as well, without really realising it. A friend suggested a toothguard from Boots, which I bought - now I clench a bit less, but at least I am not running the risk of damaging my teeth. I am still doing it in the day though.... does anyone have any experience of this, or know of some sort of therapy to stop me doing it?

[SeramaSilly]

I clench my teeth too Clare AND grind my teeth at night!!  No idea about any kind of therapy but I wish I'd known that you could get tooth guards at Boots - I paid £80 for the dentist to make me one! 

[The Dogmother]

My dentist offered to make me a very expensive one too, but a friend told me about this one:

 

[Cat tails]

I have a dentist made one too and couldn’t do without. My jaw will lock otherwise and my front teeth hurt really bad.

The dentist ones are expensive but will last years if made right.

[Natspringy]

I've heard of people having botox to reduce jaw clenching, jist had a quick Google and it seems like a thing you can have. My mum has botox somewhere in Midlands; happy to send you details if you'd like them.   Also maybe cortisol lowering stuff like yoga and meditating to try and rewire your base stress level?  Sorry you've had a tough few years x

[The Dogmother]

Thanks Natspringy, I do go to a meditation session once a week, but it's hard to find time to fit in to my daily routine. Not too sure about Botox though and I guess it would be expensive.

[Grandmashazzie]

Maybe not so expensive if dentist does it for dental reasons,rather than cosmetic.

[The Dogmother]

Unfortunately, we don't have any NHS dentists here, so all private and more expensive 

[Natspringy]

4 hours ago, The Dogmother said:

Thanks Natspringy, I do go to a meditation session once a week, but it's hard to find time to fit in to my daily routine. Not too sure about Botox though and I guess it would be expensive.

Yes, I'm not sure how'd I'd feel about botox either.

Annoying re dentists. Can you apply further afield to an nhs one? 

[mullethunter]

Now DM I’ve never tried this, and I generally only ‘believe’ in treatments and therapies where peer reviewed evidence suggests they work, but I wonder if some sort of hypnotherapy may be useful - or at least worth a try?

Or CBT which actually does work if you can find a practitioner.

[Cat tails]

My dentist told me there is physiotherapy for clenching too, so might give one a ring?

[The Dogmother]

Ahhh, I know a physio!!!  might have to text her and ask.

[Princess Leia]

I had an issue with this after jaw surgery (had both jaws moved forward 12mm for sleep apnoea) Physio helped, but it was quite simple - thumb inside cheek as far back as you can reach and pinch and hold the muscle hard with your fingers outside (obviously), repeat both sides. Worked for me!

[The Dogmother]

3 hours ago, Princess Leia said:

I had an issue with this after jaw surgery (had both jaws moved forward 12mm for sleep apnoea) Physio helped, but it was quite simple - thumb inside cheek as far back as you can reach and pinch and hold the muscle hard with your fingers outside (obviously), repeat both sides. Worked for me!

That's interesting, how often do you need to do this?

[Princess Leia]

Basically, as often as needed. I think I was doing it a couple of times a day when it was at its worst.