Bruxism Treatment Guy answers:

You may want to apply moist heat or ice, but don’t interchange them. Apply ice or moist heat to the sides of your jaw. You can also try easy stretching and massage. Pick up the kind of mouth guard sold in sporting stores that you soften in hot water and then bite down on to form the shape of your mouth. (Wearing one will hold your jaw steady.) Give up the bagels if you’ve got a lot of pain in and around your mouth, consider an oral vacation!! Limit yourself to soft and liquid food for awhile and see if this helps. Check your body position throughout the day: make sure you and esp. Your chin are not leaning over the desk at work. As a general guideline for sitting or standing, your cheekbone should be over your clavicle, and your ears should not be too far in front of your shoulders. Throw away your pillow: tuck yourself in with a thin towel rolled up under your neck. Have another towel under your back and a pillow under your knees. Limit your jaw movement: if you feel a yawn coming on, restrict it by holding a fist under your chin. Stop grinding your teeth. Seven Nasty Habits to Break: DON’T- 1. Lie on your stomach with your head twisted to one side 2. Lie on your back with your head propped up at a sharp angle for reading or watching tv 3. Cradle the phone between your shoulder and chin 4. Prop your chin on one or both of your hands for too long 5. Carry a heavy shoulder bag with the strap on the same side for an extended period 6. Do work, such as painting a ceiling, that requires looking up for long periods of time 7. Wear high heels