Jaw Clenching

[Gailbt]

I've noticed that I've been clenching my jaw for a few weeks now and I'm not aware I'm doing it! Its quite bad in that during the night a week ago I must have clenched my jaw so hard that I had an inch long sore on my tongue and it was blood red. Does anyone else do this?

[ladytelita]

I do. I've done so for years sadly. I also grind my teeth which the dentist moans about. I do find lavender helps so have a small lavender bag next to my pillow to aid relaxation as I don't sleep well (as this post time prooves. It's 11 minutes past midnight, I took a pill to help me sleep over 2 hours ago *sigh*). It may be due to some stressful thing in your life going on, even if you're not aware of feeling stressed, it may be a lack of decent sleep.

If you continue to injure yourself I would suggest speaking to the gp. If you'd rather not you could always try a mouth guard, but personally I would speak to the gp first and see what he says.

[Bearess]

Hi - I've got this problem it's awfull - my jaw aches constantly - I've tried to stop it but I didn't know I was doing it until I woke up in agony - I've had to resort to a very expensive mouth guard - made to measure by my dentist - I guess it would've been free if I'd been entitled to free dentistry ah well - I've worked hard prior to becoming ill and I've got (rapidly diminishing ) savings, hence, no help for me because I saved my hard earned cash !! Anyway, I would definitely recommend giving a mouth gaurd a try

[Hidden]

Hi, yes I've had the same thing whenever I'm stressed and ever wore a denture right down as a result of teeth grinding in my sleep. It passed when I sorted out the stress.

Suexx

[Ginsing]

I do it too so bad they made me a gum shield I thought that was it then this crazy man made me laugh so much I put my jaw out and it has been as good as it will ever be since then. LOL I still have terrible wearing on my teeth but I dont hold my jaw as badly anymore. So find some one who makes you really laugh there is the answer xgins

[Raffael]

Yes I clench and I grind my teeth. I have a bite guard from the dentist, my jaw still aches but at least I don't break any more teeth.

[Ginsing]

Well done I know how good they are come and join the fete. Worlds strongest Jaw would be good

[jillylin]

Hi

yes I do, during the day and at night. I mentioned it to my dentist who made a guard for my lower jaw so I can't get my teeth together. It's worked really well. I wear it during the day when I am alone and doing things where I usually clench my feet. I also wear it every night. After a short length of time you can even forget you have it in!

[paintbluecat]

Yes, I do too [day and night] and my dentist has actually filed a couple of teeth down to try and help. Still wake up with sore jaw on the right side. I just try to make myself relax when I catch on during day time but, unfortunately, we cannot control this at night. I am going to ask about having a guard to see if this helps.

It's amazing to realise that this appears to be a fairly widespread problem!

[Glenys]

wisegeek.com/what-can-i-do-...

I found this web page that might help. I take amitriptyline and it mentions here that it could help with Jaw clenching as it acts as a muscle relaxant in low doses. I take it for muscle pain around that area (nore in the ear area where I get a burning pain) and hip pain (same, burning), because of Fibromyalgia.

I hope it helps. I do a lot of cheek biting when I am awake, and it annoys the hell out of me, as it must look like I am an old woman playing with my false teeth!!

G