Walt,
I have been grinding my teeth for years now -I felt helpless to stop because I didn't know the cause (I assumed stress) and I am never aware of doing it (being asleep). My husband has tried numerous techniques- massaging my jaw or waking me (I am reportedly very grouchy about being woken but have no memory of it the next day). Nothing helped. It was driving us both crazy.
I have been trying the skilled relaxation and not clenching my teeth thoughought the day. (I am amazed how often I catch myself) It has been very helpful. Now it is a fairly rare occurence. Whew! We were almost to the point of considering seperate bedrooms! Thank you!
However, I do still have a few questions...
You have mentioned that bruxism is related to LGS and CRS-
How does this cause bruxism?
Would you explain why teeth not touching during the day is so important?
(I tried the eraser idea but they just disintegrate)
Is there any thing else I can do that would help? I still feel pretty tense -the body bracing thing- mostly in my jaws. Rolfing? Chiropractics?
Thanks so much for your help,
Louise
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by trish on September 03, 1998 at 13:01:13:
In Reply to: bruxism and clenching posted by Louise Anderson on September 03, 1998 at 11:20:22:
Louise,
We really do have SO much in common!! I have been wearing a night guard for years to help me from destroying what's left of my teeth. My dentist fitted me with it years ago - I'm on the third one. I can't sleep without it. It holds my teeth/jaws apart in a comfortable position (where my teeth would have been if I hadn't ground so much height off), and basically gives me something to grind besides the teeth! This thing is very expensive, since my dentist has to take an impression and have it custom made - I don't know if all dentists do it this way or not.
Once I got a second opinion on a crown and they wanted to recalibrate my bite and give me a soft bite guard, but when I told my dentist, he strongly discouraged it, so, trusting him, I just had the tooth crowned without any further work, and kept my guard the way it is. Of course, this helps only at night - but if you work at home, you could wear the guard throughout the day I suppose. It might be worth it for you.
While I too must remind myself not to clench - especially when driving, I have to say, since I've been practicing skilled relaxation, I am much more at ease behind the wheel - nicer, too - I let someone in the other day, and realized I usually wouldn't have done that...And, it seems I'm not clenching as much. Maybe soon I won't need the guard anymore!
I also await Dr. Stoll's response to your other questions. I'm glad you wrote about it.
Be well,
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by Louise on September 03, 1998 at 13:45:08:
In Reply to: Re: bruxism and clenching posted by trish on September 03, 1998 at 13:01:13:
Hi trish!
I have a mouth guard too, but I just can't sleep with something in my mouth!
Slurping, gulping, drooling, swallowing obsessively...sooo attracrive!!
How do you do it?
I try to consciously relax and stretch my jaw muscles from time to time during the day. It does help my overall relaxation.
Also during my meditation time, I focus on keeping my jaw loose. It does help.
Take care, and ...relax!
louise
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by trish on September 03, 1998 at 15:00:12:
In Reply to: Re: bruxism and clenching posted by Louise on September 03, 1998 at 13:45:08:
Well, I was gonna respond in email, but maybe Dr. Stoll would want to comment, so I changed my mind and am posting here.
Like I said, my biteguard is custom made - It fits pretty neatly into my mouth and I can comfortably close my mouth in a very natural position. SO, I don't slurp or gulp or anything. In fact, I may have said that I can't sleep WITHOUT it anymore. I wake up realizing something's wrong. NOt that it didn't take some gettng used to in the beginning. Maybe yours is too big?
My teeth are very short because no dentist ever addressed bruxism with me until I saw my current one some 9 or 10 years ago. I had already done a lot of damage by that time. My dentist was very concerned about not OVER correcting the bite with a guard that was too thick. He said that could cause as much trouble with the jaw position as my shortened teeth. (This made me wonder about the pencil eraser thing, since they're kind of thick.) I believe I have a very good dentist. Certainly he is the one who saved what's left of my poor teeth.
I found like you that meditating with my jaw totally relaxed and a bit open actually, really helps. I know it will just keep getting better as I progress.
take care!
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 04, 1998 at 10:36:08:
In Reply to: bruxism and clenching posted by Louise Anderson on September 03, 1998 at 11:20:22:
Hi, Louise.
Isn't it interesting that it took someone who has never even seen you to help you more with this than those who HAVE?
Congratulations on your progress. If your skilled relaxation has been checked out with biofeedback AND you are doing it at least twice a day, you are already doing the most important thing to resolve this in the long run. YOU'LL SEE!
Boy! You eat the erasers! It is a wonder that you are not having more trouble with this than you are. You have to be bad before that happens!
Rolfing &/or a series of whole body massages would help for a while. Depending on how much money you have and how much you are still suffering, this would be a good investment.
At least 75% of all the oxygen, sugar, and essential nutrients that go to the brain (especially the hypothalamus where the stress-effect is stored) comes through the cerebro-spinal fluid. The rest comes from the blood. The only pump that pumps the CSF is the "primary respiratory movement": 12-16 pulses/ minute of the skull bones expanding & contracting. Your jaw bone is the only bone in your "head" that does not have a joint in the middle that allows that movement to take place. Your upper teeth are part of that movement. As soon as your teeth touch, that gentle movement is locked in place since your lower teeth act like padlock on the gate (NO joint in the mandible)
SO, with one fell swoop you have reduced the distance between you and the edge of your stress management "cliff" by at least 75%.
Is this making sense to you?
Bruxism does not cause LGS & C-RS. Total body bracing causes both. Of course, the more of ANY illness you have, the closer to the edge of the cliff you are and the more ANY condition will bother you. SO, LGS & C-RS can cause your total body bracing to be worse--THUS your bruxism would be worse too. All of this fits together in a "vicious cycle".
Walt
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 04, 1998 at 10:53:39:
In Reply to: Re: bruxism and clenching posted by trish on September 03, 1998 at 15:00:12:
Thanks, Trish,
I only recommend the erasers as a very temporary stop gap to prove to the person that this is indeed part of the problem. They are messy & bothersome and cannot be used at night. However, they are pretty cheap and require no profesional input. Used for only a few months (most people have to use them a lot less to prove the truth to them by getting relief of symptoms) there is no risk to it at all.
You are doing the right thing by working at breaking the habit during relaxation. Congratulations!
Namaste` Walt
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by amy on October 16, 1998 at 20:02:22:
In Reply to: bruxism and clenching posted by Louise Anderson on September 03, 1998 at 11:20:22:
Trish and louise-
I also clench my teeth and have TMJ. I got a night guard last year, and, like Trish, I cannot go to sleep without it. I lost it once while traveling and it was hell! I am new to this BB but I am going to try the relaxation techniques everyone talks about. Even though I've read the article about skilled relaxation at the home page, as well as EVERY single posting in the acne section (that's actually what brought me here), I still have no idea exactly what it is. It sounds like meditation. Can you tell me more about it, particularly the specifics? Do you have to be alone to do it? Have to be sitting down, etc, etc....? Also, can you shed some more light on this "eraser" technique you were mentioning ? Thanks!
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 17, 1998 at 10:06:09:
In Reply to: Re: bruxism and clenching posted by amy on October 16, 1998 at 20:02:22:
Amy,
This 'site is not supposed to be an exhaustive explanation of everything we discuss. That is why the references are listed.
For an exhaustive description of "The Relaxation Response" you would need to read Herbert Benson, MD's book by that name.
MY "relaxation" sections are designed to be practical ways to "just DO it". For those who need to understand this in depth before trying it, they will need to read some of the references.
Meditation is ONE of more that 100 ways to achieve this brain rhythm, so is prayer, autogenics, breathing, etc. The idea is to do the one that works for YOU.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by amy on November 18, 1998 at 21:33:36:
In Reply to: Re: bruxism and clenching posted by Walt Stoll on October 17, 1998 at 10:06:09:
ok, I'll read the book. But can you tell me what the "eraser trick" is that Trish was talking about for clenching? I clench my teeth all the time and use a night guard which helps a lot. But sometimes my jaw still gets sore during the day, even though I try very hard not to clench.
Thanks,
Amy
Follow Ups:
Re: bruxism and clenching
Posted by Walt Stoll on November 19, 1998 at 12:19:34:
In Reply to: Re: bruxism and clenching posted by amy on November 18, 1998 at 21:33:36:
Dear Amy,
Go to the homepage & read about TMJ for the eraser trick.
THEN, if you still have questions, write again.
Walt