Stress and anxiety are often associated with teeth grinding and may make it worse for some people. If this is something you're experiencing, addressing stress and finding ways to relax may form part of managing bruxism. Some people choose to explore hypnotherapy to support them with stress, anxiety and relaxation alongside appropriate dental or medical care.
Here, we explore what can contribute to teeth grinding, the different ways it can be managed and where hypnotherapy may fit in.
What is bruxism?
Characterised by jaw clenching and teeth grinding, bruxism can lead to dental damage and jaw problems. One in ten of us grind our teeth at night, though as many as one in four report grinding their teeth while awake. Classified into two categories, you may experience awake bruxism or sleep bruxism.
Awake bruxism happens when you’re awake. Usually, there’s no teeth grinding, just jaw clenching in response to certain stimuli. Sleep bruxism occurs during sleep. It generally involves both grinding and jaw muscle contractions.
Bruxism can happen for a number of reasons, and the factors involved can vary from person to person. Stress and anxiety are commonly associated with teeth grinding, while certain medications, recreational drugs and sleep problems may also play a role.
The effects of bruxism will vary from person to person depending on the severity of the problem. There are long- and short-term effects, including:
Short-term effects of bruxism
- earache
- headaches
- facial myalgia (aching jaw and facial muscles)
- sleep disruption
- limitation of mouth opening
- inflamed/receding gums
- excess tooth mobility.
Long-term effects of bruxism
- tooth wear and breakage
- temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
What causes teeth grinding?
In some cases, the cause of bruxism is unclear. To get to the root cause, it’s helpful to visit your dentist to assess your symptoms and any factors which may be contributing.
Some common causes and contributing factors can include:
Stress and anxiety
Sleep bruxism is often linked to stress and anxiety, which may make teeth grinding worse for some people. Reducing stress, encouraging relaxation, and easing anxiety can help to reduce or stop teeth grinding.
Sleep apnoea
There is also a link between teeth grinding and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This is a disorder that causes interruptions in your breathing during sleep. The link between the two conditions isn't fully understood. Other sleep disorders such as insomnia may also be present alongside bruxism.
Certain medications
Some medications, including antipsychotic and antidepressant medications, are known to cause teeth grinding. If you are concerned about any side effects of the medication you're taking, speak with your GP.
Lifestyle factors
Certain lifestyle factors can also increase your risk of teeth grinding. These include drinking alcohol excessively, using recreational drugs, consuming too much caffeine and smoking. Making lifestyle changes to promote health can give your bruxism treatment the best chance of success.
Treatment for bruxism
If your dentist or doctor has diagnosed you with the condition, there are several approaches you can try in terms of treatment.
These generally fall under the following categories:
Dental approaches
To protect your teeth from damage, your dentist may recommend dental treatments such as mouth guards or dental correction. Splints and mouth guards are designed to keep your upper and lower jaws apart and prevent damage from grinding or clenching. In some cases, a dental problem is to blame. If teeth grinding has badly affected your teeth, you may need crowns fitted or reshaping treatments.
Lifestyle changes
Ensuring you are living a healthy lifestyle can enhance your bruxism treatment. Try to incorporate relaxation into your everyday routine. Exercise is a great way to lower stress levels and promote relaxation.
Lower your caffeine intake and try to avoid it in the evenings. Reducing caffeine, particularly in the evening, may also be helpful.
Instil a bedtime routine and practise good sleep hygiene. This may involve receiving treatment for any sleep disorders. Ensure you see your dentist regularly to keep your teeth and jaw healthy. Dental exams will reveal whether or not your bruxism is causing physical damage. Spotting issues early will help avoid drastic corrective treatment.
Therapies
Getting to the root cause of the condition may require a therapeutic approach. If stress is causing your teeth grinding, relaxation therapies may be helpful. Behavioural therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), aim to change your habits.
Biofeedback is another form of therapy that can be used for bruxism. Using monitoring procedures and equipment teaches you to control the muscle activity in your jaw.
Hypnotherapy can help some people change their thought patterns and habits. Guiding you into a deeply relaxed state, hypnotherapy is also used to help lower stress.
Hypnotherapy for teeth grinding
As part of your treatment plan, you may want to explore hypnotherapy. Teeth grinding and jaw clenching happen unconsciously, whether you're awake or asleep.
Hypnotherapy can use the power of suggestion to help change thought patterns that lead to bruxism. Then, using suggestive language, your hypnotherapist can encourage new, more helpful patterns.
When looking at stress, hypnotherapy can help you get to explore the sources of your stress or anxiety. It also supports the development of more positive coping methods, so that your mind reacts better in stressful situations. As teeth grinding can often be a reaction to stress and anxiety, using hypnosis for stress may reduce bruxism as a result.
Some people may find themselves worrying about teeth grinding, particularly at bedtime. Hypnotherapy may help you feel more relaxed and develop calmer thoughts and associations around sleep.
This may be particularly helpful if stress or anxiety is contributing to your teeth grinding.
Finding a hypnotherapist
If stress or anxiety may be contributing to your teeth grinding, hypnotherapy is one option you may wish to explore. Find a qualified hypnotherapist who can talk through your concerns and whether hypnotherapy could be suitable for you.
