Hypnotherapy for a problem

Hypnotherapy for Teeth Grinding and Jaw Tension (TMJ)

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Teeth grinding is often linked to stress, and the NHS names stress and anxiety as its most common cause. The NHS lists relaxation among the things that may help, and hypnosis is one way to practice it. But the first step is a dentist, who can protect your teeth with a night guard.

How are grinding and jaw pain connected?

The NHS page on teeth grinding explains that grinding and clenching can happen while you are awake or asleep, and that a painful jaw from grinding can lead to temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. The NHS page on TMD describes it as a condition affecting the movement of the jaw, with symptoms such as pain around the jaw, ear and temple, clicking or popping noises, headaches around the temples and difficulty opening the mouth fully. It is not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.

Grinding has other causes besides stress: sleep problems such as snoring and sleep apnea, some medicines for sleep problems, depression or anxiety, smoking, and a lot of alcohol or caffeine. TMD can also come from wear and tear of the joint, a blow to the face or an uneven bite.

When should you see a dentist or doctor?

The NHS advises seeing a dentist if you grind your teeth and have tooth damage or sensitivity, pain in your jaw, face or ear, or if a partner says you grind in your sleep. A dentist may recommend a mouth guard or splint worn at night to protect your teeth. For TMD, it advises urgent medical advice if you cannot eat or drink, or if your jaw is locking or you have difficulty opening your mouth.

What can you do yourself?

The two NHS pages suggest:

  • Finding ways to relax, such as breathing exercises, music and regular exercise.
  • Improving your sleep: the same bedtime each night, time to relax before bed, a dark and quiet room.
  • Keeping your teeth apart: apart from when eating, your teeth should not be touching.
  • Easing the jaw: soft food, an ice pack or heat pack, massaging the painful muscles, and painkillers if needed.
  • Avoiding chewing gum, pen tops, nail biting, very wide yawns and too much alcohol or caffeine.

For TMD, a GP may also suggest relaxation techniques to reduce stress, and may refer you to a psychologist if stress and anxiety are making the pain worse.

What is the evidence for relaxation methods?

Thin. Hypnosis does not appear among the treatments either NHS page describes. For biofeedback, a 2019 evidence map found insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about its effects on bruxism. The NHS presents relaxation as something that may help reduce grinding, without claiming it stops it.

Can hypnosis relax a clenched jaw?

On the stress side, alongside dental care. A session can help you:

  • Notice daytime clenching: rehearsing a check of your jaw at regular moments, with the teeth-apart rule as the cue.
  • Wind down before bed, as part of the sleep routine the NHS recommends.
  • Practice releasing the jaw, face and shoulders when you notice stress building.

Count your clenches for a week

Pick three ordinary moments each day, such as checking your phone, driving or working at a screen, and at each one notice whether your teeth are touching. Note the result. Over a week, the count can show when your clenching tends to happen, which tells you when to use your relaxation routine.

This article is general information, not medical or psychological advice; talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation.

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