Help! Teeth clenching/grinding causing lack of sleep, exhausted after exercise....

Inchworm · 06-22-09, 09:51 AM

Hi,

I had a very bad case of insomnia this week. I literally finally fell asleep when the sun started coming up, so I averaged about 2 hours a day for the week! I don't know if it's because school for all my kids are winding down, graduations, recitals, belt tests oh my! Anyway, I had such trouble sleeping, couldn't turn the mind off and my whole mouth and jaw are killing me! I still pretty much kept up with my exercise routine, doing CLX and added cardio at the gym, but then I'm exhausted afterwards, not surprising since I'm not sleeping well. I just can't get over how much my teeth and gums hurt from my clenching and grinding. Has anyone ever delt with this and how do you get yourself to relax your jaw and stop the clenching? I have a dental appt. tomorrow, but I figured I'd ask some of you for some advice first. Last night I listened to my Sleep Solutions CD and really tried to let myself get immersed into the whole relaxation of it. I had read about 50 pages of my current book first, so that helped me get a little drowsy. I actually slept probably 6-7 hours last night and hopefully it will work tonight too.

Please let me know if you have overcome teeth clenching/grinding and what methods are helpful.

Thanks,

Kelly

Gardengirl · 06-22-09, 09:54 AM

Possible over training?

Deep breathing usually helps me, but it's kind of treating the symptom and not the cause. Sounds like you've got a pretty full plate! Maybe dial back on the exercising until things calm down?

Just a thought.

Hope you can some rest soon!

Susan G. · 06-22-09, 10:46 AM

There at a few of us on this board that have discussed similar problems.

In my case after years of tight face muscles and trying everything from acupuncture through rolfing, I went to physical therapy. The problem turned out to stem from tightness in my entire spine. I've slowly improved with neck stretches, strengthening my back, and balancing exercises for posture.

Though everyone is different, you might consider being accessed by a physical therapist as well as a dentist. I didn't realize my neck was so tight because, well, I've never lived with anyone else's neck.

Good luck. I know those sleepless nights. Even with an improvement I sometimes have to do yoga and/or Advil.

Karen Beckwith · 06-22-09, 11:38 AM

My dentist recommended a night guard that fits over my bottom teeth and keeps me from grinding my teeth.

fuzzie · 06-22-09, 11:51 AM

Kelly, I feel your pain! I too have suffered from chronic insomnia and teeth clenching for years - not fun

My insomnia is mostly stress-related and over time I have found I can manage it by avoiding certain triggers before going to bed (e.g., no tv, internet, work, etc.), maintaining a bedtime ritual, etc. I have not had such success with teeth clenching and, after having to go through extensive gum graft surgeries, I now sleep with a mouth guard. I hate it but I think it helps me to sleep better... and to keep my teeth!

videofit · 06-22-09, 11:58 AM

I have a mouth guard for my upper teeth but every morning it's on my pillow. It props your mouth open so you end up with a dry mouth which is very uncomfortable. I wish there was a better alternative. I keep meaning to meditate before bedtime but am too lazy.

cdayley · 06-22-09, 12:30 PM

I have TMJ disorder, which for me is because of a bad bite. It has caused me to clench and grind my jaw since I was in my teens. I am now 45. I have had to go through extensive treatment 3 times (bite guards day and night, physical therapy, and orthodontia twice). I started treatment when I was 23. I wore a night guard after treatment, and it worked for 15 years. Then the grinding/headaches/constant pain came back with a vengeance. I went through treatment again, including braces to fix the bad bite, and was just about done with those when I was rearended. The accident caused excruciating whiplash, which led to more severe TMJ than I had ever experienced. Back to biteplates, physical therapy, and braces. I am now mostly pain free. The accident caused my left jaw joint permanently out of alignment, so I will have to wear a retainer with a bite plate for the rest of my life, but it's worth it to be without the pain!
Chrys Dayley

seabliss · 06-22-09, 12:55 PM

I wear a night guard--really, I just use a boil 'n bite tray that I ordered in multiples from a dentistry website. They are about $3 each. I mold and cut them to fit my small mouth. I had to do this because I was destroying my teeth. When I finally broke a tooth clean in half, that was the final straw. The rest of my teeth are worn around the bases from being compressed sideways every night. No matter what, get a night guard of some kind. Save yourself thousands in dental bills and damage to your teeth.

I carry a lot of tension in my face and jaw when sleeping. The night guard helps relax the jaw. I also wear a Frownie between my brows (it's an adhesive paper that dries stiff) to keep from waking up with frown lines between my brows. It actually helps a lot. When I can afford Botox, that is the best for actually stopping the tension. It's not just a cosmetic thing. It keeps me from getting tension headaches and relaxes my face so I can sleep more peacefully. I just get it between my brows. I think Botox can even be used for jaw clenching too, but I haven't tried that.

Orlita · 06-22-09, 12:57 PM

Wow, Chrys, that sounds awful.

I've been grinding and clenching since I was a teen, too (which I now attribute to major orthodontic work to fix an overbite). My teeth are flat now, and in the last year I've had to get 2 crowns. I also wear bite guards -- the kind the dentist has made -- though they don't stop my grinding+clenching, they just protect the surface of my teeth. When I'm really stressed, the jaw pain is horrible.

I saw a TMJ specialist years ago -- $700 and not covered by regular or dental insurance -- and she solved nothing, despite her assurances. So I'm averse to specialists. I feel like there's a lot I can do to lessen the intensity myself, including yoga, breathwork, meditation, etc. Kundalini has been especially great for me, because of all the breathwork (there's even a kriya in which you're supposed to clench your teeth

but I refuse to do it). I wish there were a guided meditation CD just for this. One that I could fall asleep to & maybe internalize.

Adding to the teeth-flattening, I also drum my teeth when I'm rushing around doing too many things.

I get a song in my head and start drumming to it, with different teeth making different drum sounds (molar = base; fangs = snare). I thought other people did this, too, but when I told my former dentist about it, she looked at me like I was a Martian and told me I needed to wear my bite guard during the day. Um....NO. I stop drumming when I realize I'm doing it, but sometimes I don't realize immediately, when the song is good & I'm rocking out.

Whimzee · 06-22-09, 01:06 PM

I used to grind my teeth when I was raising my son but now that he's grown up, I've stopped. So I think it's definitely a "stress" issue. Yes, I did get a night guard but that didn't stop it - it just protects your teeth.

So now that I realize what causes it, how about trying meditation techniques to see if that works? Or possibly a relaxation tape, hypnosis tape, something along those lines?

Good luck!

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06-22-09, 09:51 AM
Inchworm Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Long Island, NY	Help! Teeth clenching/grinding causing lack of sleep, exhausted after exercise.... Hi, I had a very bad case of insomnia this week. I literally finally fell asleep when the sun started coming up, so I averaged about 2 hours a day for the week! I don't know if it's because school for all my kids are winding down, graduations, recitals, belt tests oh my! Anyway, I had such trouble sleeping, couldn't turn the mind off and my whole mouth and jaw are killing me! I still pretty much kept up with my exercise routine, doing CLX and added cardio at the gym, but then I'm exhausted afterwards, not surprising since I'm not sleeping well. I just can't get over how much my teeth and gums hurt from my clenching and grinding. Has anyone ever delt with this and how do you get yourself to relax your jaw and stop the clenching? I have a dental appt. tomorrow, but I figured I'd ask some of you for some advice first. Last night I listened to my Sleep Solutions CD and really tried to let myself get immersed into the whole relaxation of it. I had read about 50 pages of my current book first, so that helped me get a little drowsy. I actually slept probably 6-7 hours last night and hopefully it will work tonight too. Please let me know if you have overcome teeth clenching/grinding and what methods are helpful. Thanks, Kelly

06-22-09, 09:54 AM
Gardengirl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Georgia	Possible over training? Deep breathing usually helps me, but it's kind of treating the symptom and not the cause. Sounds like you've got a pretty full plate! Maybe dial back on the exercising until things calm down? Just a thought. Hope you can some rest soon! __________________ Judy

06-22-09, 10:46 AM
Susan G. VF Supporter Join Date: Apr 2003	There at a few of us on this board that have discussed similar problems. In my case after years of tight face muscles and trying everything from acupuncture through rolfing, I went to physical therapy. The problem turned out to stem from tightness in my entire spine. I've slowly improved with neck stretches, strengthening my back, and balancing exercises for posture. Though everyone is different, you might consider being accessed by a physical therapist as well as a dentist. I didn't realize my neck was so tight because, well, I've never lived with anyone else's neck. Good luck. I know those sleepless nights. Even with an improvement I sometimes have to do yoga and/or Advil.

06-22-09, 11:38 AM
Karen Beckwith VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado	My dentist recommended a night guard that fits over my bottom teeth and keeps me from grinding my teeth. __________________ Breast Cancer Survivor "Comfort zones are very often expanded by discomfort." - Mimi Solaire

06-22-09, 11:51 AM
fuzzie VF Supporter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec	Kelly, I feel your pain! I too have suffered from chronic insomnia and teeth clenching for years - not fun My insomnia is mostly stress-related and over time I have found I can manage it by avoiding certain triggers before going to bed (e.g., no tv, internet, work, etc.), maintaining a bedtime ritual, etc. I have not had such success with teeth clenching and, after having to go through extensive gum graft surgeries, I now sleep with a mouth guard. I hate it but I think it helps me to sleep better... and to keep my teeth!

06-22-09, 11:58 AM
videofit Join Date: Dec 2002	I have a mouth guard for my upper teeth but every morning it's on my pillow. It props your mouth open so you end up with a dry mouth which is very uncomfortable. I wish there was a better alternative. I keep meaning to meditate before bedtime but am too lazy. __________________ “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Krishnamurti

06-22-09, 12:30 PM
cdayley Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho	I have TMJ disorder, which for me is because of a bad bite. It has caused me to clench and grind my jaw since I was in my teens. I am now 45. I have had to go through extensive treatment 3 times (bite guards day and night, physical therapy, and orthodontia twice). I started treatment when I was 23. I wore a night guard after treatment, and it worked for 15 years. Then the grinding/headaches/constant pain came back with a vengeance. I went through treatment again, including braces to fix the bad bite, and was just about done with those when I was rearended. The accident caused excruciating whiplash, which led to more severe TMJ than I had ever experienced. Back to biteplates, physical therapy, and braces. I am now mostly pain free. The accident caused my left jaw joint permanently out of alignment, so I will have to wear a retainer with a bite plate for the rest of my life, but it's worth it to be without the pain! Chrys Dayley

06-22-09, 12:55 PM
seabliss Join Date: Jun 2006	I wear a night guard--really, I just use a boil 'n bite tray that I ordered in multiples from a dentistry website. They are about $3 each. I mold and cut them to fit my small mouth. I had to do this because I was destroying my teeth. When I finally broke a tooth clean in half, that was the final straw. The rest of my teeth are worn around the bases from being compressed sideways every night. No matter what, get a night guard of some kind. Save yourself thousands in dental bills and damage to your teeth. I carry a lot of tension in my face and jaw when sleeping. The night guard helps relax the jaw. I also wear a Frownie between my brows (it's an adhesive paper that dries stiff) to keep from waking up with frown lines between my brows. It actually helps a lot. When I can afford Botox, that is the best for actually stopping the tension. It's not just a cosmetic thing. It keeps me from getting tension headaches and relaxes my face so I can sleep more peacefully. I just get it between my brows. I think Botox can even be used for jaw clenching too, but I haven't tried that. __________________ Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. - Thoreau

06-22-09, 12:57 PM
Orlita Join Date: Dec 2006	Wow, Chrys, that sounds awful. I've been grinding and clenching since I was a teen, too (which I now attribute to major orthodontic work to fix an overbite). My teeth are flat now, and in the last year I've had to get 2 crowns. I also wear bite guards -- the kind the dentist has made -- though they don't stop my grinding+clenching, they just protect the surface of my teeth. When I'm really stressed, the jaw pain is horrible. I saw a TMJ specialist years ago -- $700 and not covered by regular or dental insurance -- and she solved nothing, despite her assurances. So I'm averse to specialists. I feel like there's a lot I can do to lessen the intensity myself, including yoga, breathwork, meditation, etc. Kundalini has been especially great for me, because of all the breathwork (there's even a kriya in which you're supposed to clench your teeth but I refuse to do it). I wish there were a guided meditation CD just for this. One that I could fall asleep to & maybe internalize. Adding to the teeth-flattening, I also drum my teeth when I'm rushing around doing too many things. I get a song in my head and start drumming to it, with different teeth making different drum sounds (molar = base; fangs = snare). I thought other people did this, too, but when I told my former dentist about it, she looked at me like I was a Martian and told me I needed to wear my bite guard during the day. Um....NO. I stop drumming when I realize I'm doing it, but sometimes I don't realize immediately, when the song is good & I'm rocking out.

06-22-09, 01:06 PM
Whimzee Join Date: May 2009	I used to grind my teeth when I was raising my son but now that he's grown up, I've stopped. So I think it's definitely a "stress" issue. Yes, I did get a night guard but that didn't stop it - it just protects your teeth. So now that I realize what causes it, how about trying meditation techniques to see if that works? Or possibly a relaxation tape, hypnosis tape, something along those lines? Good luck!