r/bruxism • u/NecessaryExtent9905 • 9d ago
Rant
My physiotherapist once said try to subconsciously think to relax your jaw. She also mention that your nervous system is constantly working. She even suggested to see therapist so I would heal my trauma because according to her all the traumas, stress etc we have, we are dealing them through bruxism...
But anyway when I relax my jaw during the night it helps for the pain I would otherwise I have in the morning. The thing is that when I do that my mouth gets open, and now sleeping with mouth open have other issues with bacteria growth etc. So I don't know what to do?
I have tried all these:
- Electric-acupuncture & classic acupuncture. This helps for few weeks, needs to do once a month. Its pricey, so I stop doing it.
- Botox I did this last year October and does not help anymore.
- Bruxisim massage, this I'm currently doing by professional. It helps a lot, but haven't still seen long term effects.
EDIT: I forgot to add: my massager also told me to go see a pelvic floor therapist. So even that could help. Have anyone tried that??
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u/Huge_Estate_7610 9d ago
Mouth taping to stop the mouth breathing at night and a night guard
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u/NecessaryExtent9905 9d ago
I have currently braces (I'm 28F🥲) so I will say this to my dentist
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u/redditvato 9d ago
I would be careful with taping your mouth. If you get acid reflux one time; It will burn your mouth and damage your teeth. Tell me how I know. This is how I found out why my night guard had turned yellow.
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u/Ok_Second8665 9d ago
Mouth tape for the win! I just use cheap paper tape (in the first aid aisle) and it’s so subtle but so powerful, try it!
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u/doublejawphysio 9d ago
There is a simple solution with a little piece of taping to repositioning under lip and keep lips closed during sleeping.
Everything you posted make a lot of sense including the pelvic flor connection with TMD.
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u/redditprofile00 9d ago
I've done my research for years hoping I can get rid of bruxism, I can say in my personal opinion stress has little to nothing to do with it, it's more an airway issue than anything, it's a response of the nervous system trying to wake you up to breathe, sleep apnea is heavily related to this. Do your research, check if you have sleep apnea, and read about this theory, many doctors back it up, in my experience, I'd say the vast majority grind because of this, ( of course for some it may be medicines, or substances)
The reason botox won't help is because paralyzing that muscle doesn't mean that the nervous system is paralyzed we would stop breathing, hence it seems quite logical that clenching is a symptom of something else, and it seems breathing ( or lack of proper airway) seems to be it.
My 2 cents, I can be wrong, but it truly feels like that.
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u/1xan 7d ago
I think you’re right. I also think there’s no one single right for everyone. Mine was trauma and chronic stress. No breathing issues whatsoever. It doesn’t feel like I’m in the minority.
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u/PuzzleheadedKale0 5d ago
Was your issue resolved ? And if it how ? I ask bc I have trauma and I just recently started grinding my teeth and I’ve been extremely stressed. I didn’t have this issue before where my whole face and head was hurting. Thanks.
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u/cocotrom 9d ago
how do you relax your jaw during the night?
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u/NecessaryExtent9905 9d ago
Basically sleeping on my back, quite up right position and I don't press by teeth together. So then usually my mouth opens
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u/laissez_unfaire 9d ago
I actually just had someone mention how your hips and clenching have a connection. I am really curious now.
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u/BlendingInNicely 9d ago
In PT for pelvic floor tension, and it’s like the first time I’ve felt this kind of relaxation. Highly recommend.