How do I stop clenching my jaw (stress-related)?
352038
it there is tension in your life, you shouldtry to deal with thatfirst. To help in relaxing your body you need to do a "meditation"\n\nsit comfortably\nclose your eyes, breathe slowly \nbegin by imagining your feet concentrate on relaxing your feet\nthen move up to your knees. concentrate on relaxing your knees\nand so on hips, tummy, chest, shoulders,arms, hands, fingers, neck and face, open your mouth, and flop your tongue. DONT LAUGH!\n\nslowly wake up eack part, and sit there with your eyes closed or open for a while before you get up\n\ndo when you feel stressed, and see tensing up, and before bed. helps sleep\n\nThis is recommended by psycologists and psychiatrists everywhere.
677348
hey sounds like tmj and you need to see a dentist or an oral surgeon.  I know.  Have been there.  Nope it is expensive but worth it.  You will prob have to get an appliance to stop the clenching at night.  Better an appliance than drugs to drug you.  hope this helps  J
389369
Funny you should ask this because I am sitting here with my night guard in whilst answering this.  I was told that you can get what is called a "jaw wash".  Apparently they stick a needle into the jaw socket and wash it out with saline solution.  I also hear cotisone injections can help.  My doctor gave me a list of jaw exercises to do daily.  Good luck!
1093525
Try and find the cause of your stress, and work on it, exercise helps a lot , along with a good nights sleep, and drinking enough water, in fact I think they have a book out titled STRESS AND WATER.\nIt is so hard today in our fast paced life styles, not to be stressed out. I could also say not to worry, but doesn't seem to fit with life styles today either.\nLaughter is so therapeutic, and is a good medicine.
48125
If you grind your teeth on a regular basis, getting a bite plate for when you sleep is very helpful. I had one all through high school, and it really helped.\n\nIn college and later, I stopped the grinding but my TMJ still acted up. I avoid foods that involve repetitive chewing (gum, taffy, very tough steak). Some days I may take ibuprofen, which really helps the pain. Eating apples by cutting them up instead of taking a big bite (puts a strain on the jaw) helps as well.\n\nIf it's still pretty serious, it's worth it to talk to your dentist to find out other options. For serious TMJ, there are surgery options available. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon.
1079536
Sounds like TMJ (don't ask what it stands for).  It's the joint of the jaw.  Do you grind your teeth at night?  Most people do and do not realize it.  Get a toothguard at your local pharmacy.  They have several kinds.  Wear it at night.  Also, you're too stressed (this causes pain in the joints).\n\nMy dentist made me a toothguard.  It stopped the pain immediately.\n\nIt never hurts to get checked out by a professional though!
125949
Stress is a part of life, actually it is important in some aspects, but like everything else moderation is the key. Take some deep breaths, shake your head back and forth, go for a day at the spa, a long hot bubble bath. Take a hard look at what is causing you to feel stressed and see how you can change your attitude so it isn't such an issue... Good luck to you and mellow out
801214
Ask your general practice doctor for a script for a couple mild sedatives.  I have a friend who's in essentially the same situation, and it's worked well for her.  Otherwise, a small dose of an anti-anxiety med may just do the trick, also.  Make sure you let your MD know what it's for, as he/she may have an even better solution.  :)  Although... I work in a hospital where exams/dental work done under general anesthesia isn't completely uncommon, so you're definitely not alone in your dilemma!  you should try and go before you wind up with a lot of work that needs to be done, though!  Good Luck!
796689
This may sound odd and it takes a little practice.\nWhile laying in bed trying to sleep clench every muscle in your body as hard as you can before they cramp and count to 20. Then relax them and count to 20. Do this over and over, usually 10 or so times. You will develop a rhythm and know when you have done it enough. Some chemical in your body will get into your muscles and relax them. It's worth a shot. \n\nAlso, don't watch those shows.  Apparently they give you anxiety.
40987
That was happening to me a lot several years ago.  I was in a very stressful job when it started.  At the time, I couldn't tell if something muscular or skeletal was going on.  The crunching and grinding made me think the bones were rubbing the wrong way, but I was also pulling the muscles in my neck a lot when I moved my head.\n\nI got sick of all the stress of the job and posted for another position that I eventually got.  After the job change, the grinding went away.  Currently, however, when I find myself in stressful situations that last several days/weeks, the neck issue usually comes back.\n\nBoth of your doctors might be right.  You may have a touch of arthritis, which is 'flaring up' due to stress.\n\n-on a side note, my doctor put me on a low dose of Toprol for a separate issue.  It had a side benefit of helping take the edge off my anxiety issues.  You might want to talk to the doctor about it, or some other anxiety medication.
743166
I found a great stress website.\nCheck out ( http://www.reducingstress.net )\nGood luck.
709654
Take an asprin or something like that..If it's your hand too you might want to take a bit of time off typing, it helps.
744162
I think you have some stress in your life, especially at night.  You may need something to relax you at night, like some natural valerian or melatonin, to relax your body and mind and maybe you won't need to clench your hands.  Sounds awful.  I hope you can get it figured out!
1183921
Take some tylenol or something, you should avoid caffeine.  Find a comfortable spot for quiet, take a couple minutes to do some deep breathing. I find this really helps with tension.
114745
Hey I know just how you feel. I am type A personality so i get stressed real bad real fast. I try and find a quite place that i can sit cross legged and place my hands on my knees, I then take deep breaths in thru the nose to the count of ten, hold it for 7, then release it thru my mouth to the count of 10 with my tounge pressed against the roof of my mouth. This helps clear the mind becuase you are concentrating on breathing. All it really is is meditation. Try it and see if it helps.
254287
Try chewing gum or suckings.  If you change your habit, it may help.  Try to pay attention to when you are doing it too!  If you are doing it when you are bored, try finding activities, such as cleaning, going for a walk or some hobby.  If you are doing it when you are nervous, try breathing exercises.
558156
Yes, this is a very good sign!  There is a theory that you can train your mind to stop habits like subconsciously grinding your teeth, just as you would trying to quit biting your nails!  It's kind of a mystery, as I said it is just a theory.  However, I would carefully monitor your grinding (or not grinding) habits until you're positive, that way you don't unknowingly damage your teeth further.