How to Stop Jaw Clenching

Jaw clenching may be an indication of stress or anger but it can also damage your health. It can help to incite TMJ, which is a very undesirable dental health condition.

By itself jaw clenching can be very painful, though. Before we go into the specifics on how to stop jaw clenching, let's very briefly outline some of its basics you need to know.

If an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, here are a few "ounces." To avoid jaw clenching, you should know that it is usually a result of some kind of stress.

You probably know that but it's also a problem perhaps due to bad posture or even sleeping on your jaw. (This is uncommon, though.)

Most notably, however, issues with the temporomandibular joint, which is commonly referred to as TMJ for short, can be a primary reason for jaw clenching, jaw popping, clicking jaw as well as edema or swelling and muscle soreness in that region.

If you are experiencing any of these, you may have a TMJ problem. You should consult with your dentist ASAP and/or a doctor.

What You Can Do To Control Jaw Clenching

The first step is to be very consciously aware of your jaw muscles. Be mindful of it. It's mostly an involuntary response due to stress or anger so that is a step in the right direction as simple as that sounds.

Here's a surprisingly effective tip that may help you: put a pencil in your mouth. Yes, I'm being seriously place the pencil so it's horizontal in your mouth (see the graphic here for reference).

This relaxes the jaw muscles quite nicely so don't underestimate the value of it. Simple but effective.

The next tip is to practice deep breathing. This naturally will cause you to relax better. Avoiding stress is almost impossible, but it can be mitigated nicely with relaxation exercises.

If you are so inclined, check into Tai Chi exercises. If you just prefer straight relaxation exercises while programming your mind, autogenics as outlined in the fascinating book Superlearning, which you may find interesting.

When sleeping, such jaw clenching is beyond conscious control, however. Teeth grinding, or bruxism as it's officially called, is a common problem and cause many dental issues. Relaxation therapy can help here too.

Exercises for TMJ itself can help you reduce tension and stress in the jaw area as well. Some dentists assert that such exercises, if followed religiously, can significantly reduce or even eliminate such TMJ-like symptoms.

Is There a Remedy for Jaw Clenching

There is or can be a simple remedy for jaw clenching. The usage of a mouth guard professionally designed. I'm not talking about a sports mouth guard the kind athletes like football, rugby or basketball players use. I'm talking about a mouthguard designed by a dentist, or dental professional, to stop TMJ symptoms in their tracks.

Or, to stop bruxism or teeth grinding as well.

A good mouth guard can go a long way in resolving jaw clenching problems along with the problems they cause. Plus, such a mouth guard, whether a TMJ mouth guard or a mouth guard for grinding teeth, are inexpensive.

Get FREE TMJ Exercise Videos & TMJ Ebook Written by a Dentist

If you need a good mouth guard for grinding teeth, I strongly recommend you get a review of nightguards from a TMJ dentist -- like me!

My name is David Spainhower, D.D.S. (that's my picture in the header graphic) and I'm a dentist with 18 years of experience in TMJ specific dental problems as well as in general dentistry.

You can see my personal reviews of the various mouth guards for grinding teeth (and TMJ night guard problems too) here at my mouthguard review webpage.

AND…if you go to my review page, you can get a totally FREE ebook that is entitled "Truth About Mouthguards." Oh, and also, you can get for free the TMJ exercise videos. On my honor, the ebook and exercise videos are totally for free.

To get the free videos and ebook, click here and go about halfway down the review page.

My mouthguard was specifically designed by me to relieve the TMJ symptoms. (It works well for those with a teeth grinding issue too.)

That said, my product may not be for you another one may be, and that's totally fine.

Therefore, for an honest, non-biased mouth guard review of the most popular mouth guards on the market -- a TMJ dentist with over 18 years experience -- please go now to check out my review page at this page on dental night guard products.

To Read a Free, non-biased review by a dentist on the most popular night or mouthguards on the market today, please click here.

I hope this jaw clenching webpage has been helpful for you.

Yours in health,
David Spainhower, D.D.S.