How Can Hypnotherapy Help with Grinding Teeth (Bruxism)

Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw, headaches, or sensitive teeth? You might be grinding your teeth—also known as bruxism—and you’re not alone. Many people clench or grind their teeth, often without even realising it, especially at night.

While occasional grinding isn’t usually a big deal, frequent bruxism can lead to serious issues like jaw and joint pain, tooth wear, and even disrupted sleep.

The good news? Hypnotherapy can help!

 

What is Bruxism?

Put simply, bruxism is teeth grinding. More accurately, bruxism describes a series of behaviours including teeth grinding, gnashing or clenching of the jaw and can also be associated with bracing or thrusting of the mandible. It may occur when awake or asleep. Children as well as adults can have this condition.

In line with a 2024 study, the global prevalence of sleep bruxism is 21% and 23% for awake bruxism.

Many cases of bruxism are mild and may not require treatment; however, severe bruxism can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain or tiredness, and headache.

Meet my client “Emma”, a 32-year-old marketing professional. She had always been a light sleeper, but over the past few months, she began waking up with a dull headache and a sore jaw. At first, she dismissed it as stress-related tension, but when her partner mentioned hearing grinding noises while she slept, she realized something was wrong…

What Are The Effects Of Bruxism

Bruxism affects people in many ways:

●      People that have from bruxism are 3x more likely to suffer with headaches

●      Facial myalgia (aching jaw & facial muscles)

●      Ear ache

●      Tightness/stiffness of the neck and shoulders

●      Limitation of mouth opening

●      Sleep disruption

●      Sleep disruption of bed partner due to noise

●      Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

●      Tooth wear & toothache/ sensitivity

So Why Do We Grind Our Teeth?

Bruxism doesn’t have a single cause, but research shows it’s often linked to sleep disturbances, lifestyle habits, and stress.

1- Sleep Disorders

Bruxism is rarely an isolated issue—it often occurs alongside sleep disorders like snoring, sleep apnea (OSA), and other parasomnias, such as sleep talking or sleep paralysis. Sleep apnea, in particular, is a major risk factor, as the body’s arousal response during apnea episodes can trigger teeth grinding.

2- Lifestyle Factors

Certain habits increase the likelihood of bruxism, including:

            •           Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption

            •           High caffeine intake

            •           Certain medications for sleep, anxiety, or depression

3- Stress & Mental Health

Stress and anxiety are among the biggest triggers. As stated by the The Bruxism Association, up to 70% of bruxism cases are stress-related. Job-related stress and lack of social support can all contribute to teeth grinding, especially in individuals who struggle with coping mechanisms.

Personality traits also play a role—those who are less resilient to stress may be more prone to both bruxism and its physical effects.

Stress is one of the biggest triggers

Remember “Emma”? She came for a routine dental check up and I noticed signs of moderate tooth wear, painful facial muscles. Additionally, Emma said that she had been experiencing jaw pain and occasionally morning headaches. After discussing her symptoms, Emma was diagnosed with sleep bruxism. I explained that stress and anxiety were common triggers for bruxism. Emma reflected on her recent workload and realized that her late-night deadlines and caffeine-fuelled work sessions could be contributing to her condition.

It’s Time To Stop Grinding Your Teeth- what can you do about it

As I mentioned above, the majority of cases don’t need any special attention. Many children outgrow bruxism without treatment and many adults don’t grind or clench their teeth badly enough to need treatment. However, if bruxism is severe the options include:

●     Splint therapy (mainly for sleep bruxism)

●     Occlusal management and orthodontic treatment 

●     Mandibular Advancement Devices- MADS (generally used for the management of snoring and sleep apnoea but research has found that these are useful for the management of sleep bruxism)

●     Other therapies:

○     Hypnotherapy

○     Progressive muscular relaxation

○     Meditation

○     Sleep hygiene

○     Habit reversal

Bruxism is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors. Normally, the occlusal splint is the treatment of choice as it reduces grinding and protects the teeth from wear without substantial adverse effects. Occlusal splints reduce muscle activity associated with sleep bruxism but it must be acknowledged that these devices, like MADs for snoring and sleep apnoea, are only a control and will not always cure the condition.

Addressing the root causes, such as stress management, reversing the habit  (specially for awake bruxism) and improving sleep quality, is key to long-term relief.

splint therapy

Going back to “Emma”, I advised her to wear a custom night splint (mouth guard) to protect her teeth and we did a few sessions of cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy, where we practiced stress management techniques such as meditation and mindfulness, progressive muscle relaxation and cut back on caffeine before bed.

Within a few weeks of using the night guard and making lifestyle adjustments, Emma noticed a significant improvement. Her headaches reduced, her jaw felt more relaxed in the mornings, and she was finally getting more restful sleep.

How Hypnotherapy Can Help

Hypnotherapy is a safe, natural way to retrain your mind and relax your body, helping you break the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth.

Research  suggests that hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for bruxism, with studies showing a reduction in the number of bruxism episodes in patients who underwent hypnotherapy.

Here’s how it works:

1. Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Since stress is a major trigger for bruxism, hypnotherapy helps calm the nervous system. Through guided relaxation and positive suggestions, mindfulness…

2. Reversing the Habit of clenching/ grinding

Bruxism is often a deeply ingrained habit. In cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy we work to recognise when and why you clench your teeth, such as during stress or focus. We replace it with a different action, like keeping teeth apart for example and then reinforcing it.

3. Improving Sleep Quality

For sleep bruxism, hypnotherapy helps quiet the mind before bed, making it easier to sleep deeply and wake up refreshed.

Most people start noticing changes after just a few sessions!

If you’re tired of waking up with a sore jaw or want a natural way to stop grinding your teeth, hypnotherapy might be the solution you’ve been looking for. It helps you break the habit at its source—so you can relax, sleep better, and protect your smile.

Ready to give it a try? Reach out to a qualified hypnotherapist and start your journey toward a grind-free life!