Do You Grind Your Teeth?

[Marlene]

When your anxiety is up, do you find yourself grinding your teeth? This is something that has started for me recently. Or I'm just noticing it more since I had oral surgery a couple of months ago. Not sure which.

I know that a while ago in another section of the forum this issue was discussed a bit, but I was wondering if anyone else deals with this.

Lisa

[becvan]

I clench, not grind. As far as I know I've always done it. Didn't pick an option cause there's no clenching one! lol

bec

[anthony]

I voted, though also modified the poll by removing the last option which was irrelevant as the poll was not multiple choice available, and changed the option "sometimes" to more "unaware", ie. you do it in your sleep because you have been told by partner or dentist, though not knowingly do it. Why? You either do or don't grind your teeth, and unaware is a more viable option than sometimes.

Just explanation as to why i changed the options a little. Good poll though Lisa... excellent question. I ticked no, as I no longer do it. Yes, I used to do it when my anxiety and PTSD was quite out of control, though now I no longer grind as my anxiety doesn't normally reach such levels nowadays.

[hodge]

I voted no, but I used to grind my teeth. My jaws became so sore I went to the doctor, who said I had TMJ. After that, I became aware of when I was doing it and made myself do something relaxing. Now I do occasionally find myself clenching my teeth when I'm stressed.

[kers]

Yep. My dentist says my grinding is why I've cracked several teeth. I do it during the day when I'm stressed, but never realize it till my head aches.

[batgirl]

I voted for unaware, because I only do it in my sleep. I have to wear a mouth guard at night now, because I've damaged several of my molars. One even had to be pulled because it got badly cracked and then I had a bad absess as a result.

[She Cat]

I voted yes. I grind them so bad at night that others have told me that it sounds like a train trying to stop on tracks. I also clentch during the day.....

[Lisa]

I wanted to vote both yes and apparently but unaware, because sometimes im aware of it sometimes i'm not. AT the moment I don't think I'm aware of it... I always know when I've been doing it because my jaw feels bruised. Plus i have caught myself being extremely tense and my neck hurting and jaw clamped shut.

I think I do it in my sleep.

[brainless_twit]

I voted yes. I do grind my teeth in my sleep, but I know I do it because sometimes it wakes me up. I've noticed it very few times while awake.

[reallydown]

i voted yes...i've only realized this recently

[2quilt]

I wear a night guard every night and still have painful jaws in the morning on bad nightmare nights. Better to wear out the nightgard than the molars.

[kkoehler]

Yes, for the first time in my life I have TMJ. In fact my dentist pointed out the damage done to my teeth from it. It hasn't completly gone away. It comes and goes now versus when I was in the midst of the stressors.

[mouse]

i have actually broken a tooth I was grinding and clenching my teeth so hard at night

[cookie]

voted unaware. dentist has to replace/repair fillings frequently, and hubs tells me i grind them in my sleep. clenching is a problem in the day.

[goingonhope]

I voted NO because I haven't grinded me teeth in years that I know of. I have however, and to an exaggerated degree, in the long past when I use to binge drink alcohol. I think during taking some different medications this caused me too, to grind my teeth, though the duration of taking those med's were always short-lived.

[Grama-Herc]

I grind my teeth and clench my jaw so bad that I actually broke a tooth off that had a root canel done on it years ago.

[Nam]

I didn't realize I was doing it until Hubs asked me once what that noise was. It was the squeak/crunch noise my teeth make when I clench then shift them. I do this constantly, especially if I'm angry.

[pandora]

I clench quite a bit but have to remind myself not to. I have two broken teeth right now as well.....never had a problem before my PTSD. I am afraid to go to the dentist due to the smothering feeling......something I definately have to work on.

[sally]

does chewing your tounge count? if so YES
sally

[SoloJade]

Yes, I tend to grind and clench my teeth when I am stress out or pissed off.

[Acer]

I used to grind mine all night long. It would wake me up often enough (as a child). Several of my siblings do to. The teeth grinding ended when I was about 18 when I learned a meditation. I haven't heard that I do anymore and I haven't woken up doing it since then. I know that I do clench my teeth still.

[Awakening]

Well, I said unaware - how are you aware if you are sleeping? - because my dentist told me.

Apparently it's not just my teeth, I've permanently damaged by jaw bone by grinding that too.

My dentist also said either 92% or 98% (I can't remember which) grind their teeth at some stage in their lives.

So basically everyone does it at some stage, it's just a matter of how often.

[nor]

While I am sleeping, I continuously grind my teeth! I have been waking myself up the last couple of months, as with the times getting more difficult, my grinding has become more intense.

I used to have a nightguard years ago. But I put a hole in it with all the grinding I was doing. I would have had to get another one and it was too expensive and didn't work anyway.

nor

[void]

I have for 25+ years and my jaws move involuntarily even when I am awake.

[linasmom]

wow, I just saw this poll! YES! I've been grinding my teeth since childhood. Was diagnosed with TMJ a few years ago.

[judyandsus]

Oh and once again I thought it was just me! Glad to know I am not alone doing this. I just started a couple of months ago

[Auburngirl]

I think I clench. When I'm stressed or have nightmares I often wake up with a sore jaw on one side, but my teeth aren't sore.

[Hollow]

I voted "unaware".. Though, I've known that I do so since the age of 15-16, I can't seem to stop it before my jaws go sore. Even then it's hard to just stop.

[xxarmywifexx]

Apparently, I do grind them. When I first got married my husband informed me of this. I have no idea why I do this.