When i sleep sometimes it feels like i am clinching my teeth so tight i cant unclinch them?

Question

sometimes when i sleep i am having a dream that i can feel my teeth clinching together and i cant unclinch them. I dream that i am grindning my teeth untcontrobably. but i cant seem to stop it or wake up what am i experienceing

Answer 1

For grinding teeth in your sleep the doctor told me to use a plastic mouth piece like football players use.

Answer 2

Yes the condition is called TMJ, there is a fair amount of TMJ awareness, things to be aware of is
1)How you chew your food, small bit size bites, also if it hurts while you chew you are doing it wrong
2) Muscle tension - you can feel where it is pulling of locking (lef or right side) then avoid that side or area that makes it worse
3)Ergonomics - believe it or not EVERYTHING in your body is tied together, so you posture or the way you sit has an affect
Pay special attention to how you sleep (might need one of those special pillows with the curve in it!)
4) Yawning - most people like to yawn so the world can see down your throat, when you yawn, face down as if you are lookign at your feet (yawn into your chest - this prevents you from opening your mouth too much and further aggravating the troubled muscles)
5) Emotional stress - work, personal etc, you might not know it, but you grind you teeth sub conscientiously - yoga, meditation can help..


Try to get it sorted out sooner rather than later, I have TMJ, not fun, some people's jaws physically lock and you cant get it open easily,
I was unable to eat properly for over a month!
I had to see a specialist Physio who specializes in TMJ

About the bite plate that people have mentioned, yes it helps, but it is masking the symptoms, get the root cause first, always a great idea

Answer 3

Hi:

To help that problem of grinding teeth (it's usually caused by stress, anxiety, etc) but go to your local pharmacy in the oral hygiene section you will find mouth guards/night guards..

They run about $20 - $25 which is way better than the orthodontist who charges between $150.00 - $200.00.

I can't quote the instructions, but the basic idea is that when you purchase it, it is not molded at all. you place it in boiling h2o for just seconds, take it out, make sure the water is out of it and put it in your mouth, bite down for so many seconds take it out let it cool and there you have it. Exactly what the orthodontist would do.

Hope this helps

Be safe and be well

Answer 4

I do that too. I'm not sure why though. It kind of hurts. Sometimes I wake up and realize that I am actually grinding my teeth while I sleep. I believe that there are guards that you can buy to prevent this from happening.

Answer 5

i have also had this problem, which may be related to anxiety or stress. like everyone has suggested, see a dentist and get a mouth gaurd - they really do help. in the mean time, you can practice putting your tongue in between your teeth. you will be suprised to find out how much you probably clench your teeth during the day as well. once you get into the habit (put your tongue between your teeth before you go to bed too) it should help a lot. it worked for me.

Answer 6

Its called TMJ, I have it, go to a doctor or orthodontist and get a "night guard" it helps A LOT!!!

Answer 7

tell the orthadontist i had that samne problem. They give u a wax. you put it on your tath and it keeps it seperated and unable to grind them