We’ve all heard the expression ‘grit your teeth’.
Usually associated with buckling down, hard work, bearing a load and trundling onwards and upwards. Gritting your teeth is akin to ‘grinning and bearing it’ and using your resolve.
It also means tolerating a situation that you aren’t best pleased about. As in, ‘She politely said, “No problem, sir.” through gritted teeth.’
At one point or another, we have all done this very action.
But what happens when you find yourself clenching your jaw and inadvertently gritting your teeth unconsciously? Perhaps at a time when you aren’t facing an unpleasant situation or digging into your reserves to persevere?
This is when the action of teeth grinding and jaw clenching becomes medically known as bruxism.
What causes bruxism?
There isn’t a singular cause for bruxism, which is why it has a relatively high prevalence in the population. Estimated to be up to a third of adults while awake, and about 10% of adults while asleep. Interesting fact really, because we tend to associate teeth grinding as a sleeping disorder with mouth guards etc., but it’s actually more common during the daytime.
Bruxism is most often attributed to stress and anxiety in general, but there are other factors that can contribute such as age, genetics, medications, substances (such as alcohol, drugs, caffeine, and tobacco), and medical conditions (such as sleep disorders, ADHD, GERD, and mental health disorders).
The stress and anxiety factors are related to our ‘fight or flight’ response to dangerous situations. Since we hold tension in the jaw under stress, as much as we do in the neck and shoulders, it can become a habitual action under chronic duress instead of just acute situations.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Worried that you might be suffering from bruxism? Chances are that if you are asking yourself this question you have already experienced some tension in your jaw area.
Specific symptoms that might indicate you have bruxism include:
Others hearing you grinding in your sleep
Sensitive teeth
Damaged teeth that appear worn down
Painful jaw muscles that occur with headaches
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain, fatigue, clicking or locking
Lack of restful sleep or interrupted sleep
I Have Bruxism, What Can I Do To Treat It?
Since the overwhelming majority of cases are stress and anxiety-related a key component of treating bruxism is by reducing or eliminating the stressors for the affected person.
Mouth Guards/Dental Treatment: Useful for those with sleep bruxism to protect the teeth from wearing down, but some find this uncomfortable and even harder to sleep when wearing them.
Medication/GP: Anti-anxiety medication or muscle relaxants can sometimes be prescribed by your GP.
Therapy: Although not clinically proven there are theories that bruxism is the result of withholding important conversations or avoiding saying what needs to be said. A case of physically manifesting anxiety about words not being spoken in the area of the body we speak from. Not proven but a plausible idea!
Hypnotherapy: Can be used to non-invasively treat the emotions and automatic unconscious behaviours contributing to bruxism symptoms.
How Does Hypnotherapy Treat Bruxism?
Since hypnotherapy puts clients into a deeply relaxed and receptive state that allows the unconscious to open up to suggestions, it is perfectly poised to help alleviate unconscious behaviours and their triggers.
It can treat emotional connections that may be contributing to the negative behaviours that result in your bruxism.
It can identify and assist in eliminating the underlying cause of your bruxism habits.
It can help you reprogram your response to stress and anxiety so that your unconscious response no longer includes bruxism as an automatic reaction. Breaking down the triggers is an essential part of this.
And finally, hypnotherapy can help you manage your tension and stress. It can assist you with breathing techniques and even target the physical areas of the body most affected to relax when under duress.
Interested in learning more about how hypnotherapy can help you if you suffer from bruxism? Get in touch with Sally for an informal chat or book a consultation to get started.
Sally Davies D.Hyp, PDCHyp, MBSCH
Tel: 07515 991599
Blog written by Allison Cruise for My Calm Life
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash
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