clenching teeth at night

[crunchy_mommy]

Anyone have any experience with clenching your teeth all night long? I've been trying to consciously stop it for a year or two now but I almost always wake up in pain anyway. I think the small cavity I have may have been caused by this too. I'm looking for some kind of remedy or something... The only solution I've come across is using a mouth guard, and while I guess it's worth a try, I'd really prefer something that fixes the problem itself, not just the effects...

[ASusan]

Have you tried magnesium or calcium-magnesium?

[crunchy_mommy]

I take a multi-vitamin that has calcium & magnesium...

[crunchy_mommy]

Scratch that, I just checked the bottle & it has 100% of virtually everything EXCEPT calcium & mag so I guess I need to pick up some supplements! Is there any certain type that's best?

[ASusan]

I've had the best luck with liquid cal-mag supplements. Take them just before bed. (Take your multi at breakfast - especially if it has B-vitamins and iron in it - calcium inhibits iron absorption, or something like that. B-vits can jazz you up.) The liquid absorbs better, for me, in my body. BUT, I will say that tablets are easier for me to take. I usually do a combo. I keep the liquid downstairs in the fridge, and if I forget, the tablets are in the master bath to take after I brush my teeth.

Another way to get magnesium is to take epsom salt baths. Load up on the Epsom salt in the bath (evening before bed) - like at least 1-3 cups/tub. I used to let it sit like a a scrub on my shoulders, chest and bath while I soaked in the tub. Fair warning - magnesium draws water to the bowels, so at some point, you may hit "bowel tolerance." It's never been an issue for me.

[crunchy_mommy]

Thanks! I picked up some and I'll try it. I'll get some epsom salt too. My jaw has hurt so badly all day & I've been headachy too, I was definitely clenching down big time last night!

Should it work immediately or is it more of a cumulative thing that will take weeks or months to improve?

[FrannieP]

I clench my teeth at nigh as well. I tried magnesium, epsom salt baths, homeopathics etc (which generally work great for me) but I think it's a structural issue w/ me - meaning I think my bite is out of alignment. I resorted to wearing a night mouth guard and it has helped alot. No more loose teeth!

[gardenmommy]

I used to clench and grind my teeth at night until I got a guard from the dentist.  I wore it for several years.  What really helped me solve the problem was learning to fully relax.  I taught myself to completely relax before I go to sleep, and to go to sleep with my teeth separated.  If (lol, *when*) I would wake in the night I would repeat the process, until, I think eventually, it became a habit to not clench my teeth.  The mouth guard definitely helped in the process, because my teeth were unable to lock into place.  I think what really cemented the habit was going through my hypnobirthing class, because of the emphasis on such deep and total relaxation.  IDK if that would work for anyone else, but that's my story.