Bruxism and Anxiety

Treatment

When this symptom is caused or aggravated by other factors, addressing the appropriate factor(s) will eliminate this symptom in time.

There are many ways to reduce and eliminate bruxism. Talking with your doctor and dentist can be helpful.

Since stress, including anxiety-caused stress and hyperstimulation, are common causes of bruxism, working to address the causes of your anxiety and stress can help eliminate this symptom.

Deliberately not grinding or clenching your teeth can help, as well.

Working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist is the most effective way to address your stress and anxiety issues and make the meaningful change required to eliminate bruxism, especially if it’s become a habit.

There are several natural approaches that might help reduce or eliminate bruxism:

Lifestyle Changes

• Avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, especially in the evening since these can intensify teeth grinding.
• Do not chew on non-food items like pencils or pens, which can train jaw muscles to clench.
• Practice relaxing your jaw muscles throughout the day by positioning your tongue between your teeth.

Stress Reduction Techniques

• Try meditation or mindfulness practices to reduce overall stress levels.
• One to two 30-minute deep relaxation techniques each day can dramatically reduce stress and jaw tension.
• Practice stretching exercises, such as the neck, jaw and mouth area.
• Aromatherapy with calming essential oils like lavender, cedarwood or chamomile can help reduce stress and tension.

Diet and Supplements

• Consume magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens, yogurt and brown rice to ease inflammation.
• Drink warm milk with turmeric before bed to relax nerves and reduce inflammation.
• Consider supplements like vitamin C, B-vitamins, magnesium or valerian root.

Relaxation Methods

• Apply a warm compress to the jaw area before bed to relax muscles.
• Gently massage jaw muscles with lavender oil to release tension.
• Take a warm bath or shower before sleep to promote overall relaxation.
• Drink calming herbal teas like chamomile or valerian in the evening.

Exercise and Physical Therapy

• Engage in regular light to moderate exercise can help relieve stress and tension.
• Practice jaw exercises to improve flexibility and reduce clenching.

While these natural approaches can be helpful, it's important to consult a dentist or doctor if bruxism persists, as they can provide additional treatments like mouth guards or address any underlying causes.

Combining natural remedies with professional care often yields the best results for managing bruxism.

Therapy

Unidentified and unaddressed underlying factors cause issues with anxiety. As such, they are the primary reason why anxiety symptoms persist.[7][8][9]

Addressing your underlying factors (Level Two recovery) is most important if you want lasting success.

Addressing Level Two recovery can help you:

• Contain anxious behavior.
• Become unafraid of anxiety symptoms and the strong feelings of anxiety.
• End anxiety symptoms.
• Successfully address the underlying factors that so often cause issues with anxiety.
• End what can feel like out-of-control worry.

All our recommended anxiety therapists have had anxiety disorder and overcame it. Their personal experience with anxiety disorder and their Master's Degree and above professional training gives them insight other therapists don't have.

If you want to achieve lasting success over anxiety disorder, any one of our recommended therapists would be a good choice.

Working with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist is the most effective way to treat anxiety disorder, especially if you have persistent symptoms and difficulty containing anxious behavior, such as worry.

In many cases, working with an experienced therapist is the only way to overcome stubborn anxiety.