Teeth clenching : I have been subconsciously been... - Thyroid UK

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Teeth clenching

purple64 profile image
10 Replies

I have been subconsciously been clenching my jaw and have bruised my gums which is quite painful. Does anyone else do this? Have been trying to relax but find it hard to do. The anxiety, dizziness and lack of sleep I find is quite hard to solve. Was diagnosed with graves in April this year.

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purple64 profile image
purple64
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humanbean profile image
humanbean

I often have the problem of having tensed muscles and being unable to relax them. I can relax my muscles consciously, but when my muscle clenching is bad as soon as I stop thinking about it I tense up again.

Increasing my magnesium, iron and potassium levels has helped me quite a lot.

It is best to increase potassium by eating a potassium-rich diet, since the heart is very sensitive to potassium levels, and over-enthusiastic supplementing could be dangerous.

Iron should only be supplemented if it has been tested and has been shown to be less than optimal.

I would suggest you google for

"which vitamins and minerals influence muscle tightness"

or similar words, and decide which suggestions might help you.

purple64 profile image
purple64 in reply to humanbean

Thank you for that information. I have been told that iron levels are ok. Vit D is low so will look into magnesium. Half of the time I am not aware that I'm doing it 🙄

Trophygirl profile image
Trophygirl in reply to purple64

Hi purple64.I've suffered with tmJ for many years its very painful osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in the jaw can cause all the discomfort. I think you need to go to the dentist which will probably send u to see an oral specialist .I wear a mouth guard at night it helps a little Dont delay get it checked x

purple64 profile image
purple64 in reply to Trophygirl

Thank you. Will try and get appointment as soon as possible

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Purple64,

Maybe an idea to see your dentist about it. Teeth clenching and grinding teeth can damage teeth and inflame gums.

BadHare profile image
BadHare

TMJ issues seem to be common with thyroid issues. I have a silicon mouth guard that was fitted by my dentist, which helps a little.

My dentist suggests that teeth grinding is a familial linked condition which is involuntary due to the nervous system. It can be tension linked. I have a gum guard, which I try to use but as it is transparent, I lose it frequently. I started to grind my teeth so teeth cracked ! I have had little trouble with teeth grinding except I can see where the indents in the gum guard are which shows I still grind the teeth, but the gum guard is preventing me harming teeth.

My grandson had teeth grinding problems but his condition was found to malalginment of his teeth

so he has had braces fitted so the jaw is now level. His teeth are fine. There are not many child or adult dental specialists in teeth grinding the uk so he was lucky to find one in Scotland on NHS.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

TMJ definitely connected. I have hashimoto's.

I was extremely sceptical about a mouth guard .......but had cracked a tooth and dentist recommended it

I thought "paid £100 I'll have to try it for just one night I suppose"

Much to my surprise I find it utterly brilliant. Wouldn't be without it

If you need any dental work doing though get that done first. Otherwise you may need a new mouthguard after

jgelliss profile image
jgelliss

purple64

I had the same with clenching teeth and felt my jaws in the morning .For my teeth I have night guards for sleep . However when my T4 was raised the clenching subsided . I would advise that you check your FT3 and FT4 . It could be telling . Nutrients as previously mentioned is very important . It helps our thyroid meds work better .

limasog profile image
limasog

I had a terrible time with jaw clenching and tooth grinding so my dentist provided me with a dental guard. I was able to finally get some relief and was very surprised when it disappeared altogether once I started taking NDT and had optimal levels.

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