5 ms·

Something I never paid attention to is that the natural/ideal resting position of your jaw is that you teeth never touch, and your tongue is touching your upper

Something I never paid attention to is that the natural/ideal resting position of your jaw is that you teeth never touch, and your tongue is touching your upper palate just behind front teeth. I had issues with grinding teeth when younger. But at some point I adopted that position unconsciously. This is a bit like resting breathing rate, the lower the better, but that's controlled completely unconsciously. Your lifestyle will influence it a lot though (exercise, relaxation, diet)

pgt 6y ago
Curious if that tongue-palate trick would also reduce bruxism during stimulant use.
- wahern 6y ago
  IME, yes. I tend to tap my teeth. Focusing on my tongue--pushing against my palette, keeping my teeth separated--helps. Seemingly coincidental remedy, too. I don't remember reading anything about the proper resting position of the jaw. I just found that the one the helped the other. In fact, I was worried doing this with my tongue was a no-no, but figured it was better than the alternative.
- eplanit 6y ago
  I was taught the tongue-palate trick years ago as a relaxation technique. It's basically impossible for your facial muscles to be contracted while doing it, helping an overall relaxation.
- girvo 6y ago
  Yeah it helps. Magnesium taken beforehand helps too, at least in my experience.
castlecrasher2 6y ago
I changed my resting tooth/jaw position recently, too, and it's made a big difference. I used to feel more stressed out in the mornings, and I was sure it was because of jaw clenching I would do at night which is now largely gone. And this is going to sound weird, but I've taken it even further by buying some baby chew toys off Amazon and chewing on them for maybe an hour a day. The benefits I've seen since starting about six months ago are 1) less teeth stress/pain at night and in the morning, 2) less nasal pressure/stress (pretty sure I have more breathing capacity through my nose now), and 3) I feel my face has widened ever so slightly but that may be the jaw positioning alone.
- 11235813213455 6y ago
  Hehe, in my case, I have to chew a lot just for eating (raw food, mostly fruits and green/leafy vegs), since a few years.
- amelius 6y ago
  Doctors have told me specifically to not eat chewy food, like chewing-gum, so what you say seems contradictory to me. Was there any reason to use toys instead of just chewing-gum?
  - castlecrasher2 6y ago
    >Was there any reason to use toys instead of just chewing-gum? Not really, except it lasts longer and I dislike the taste of chewing gum. Mastic gum works well, too.
- danielscrubs 6y ago
  I’m usually sleeping in a fetal position which immediately makes me grind my teeth. Straightening in bed (both breast out and head straight ) helps a lot.
amelius 6y ago
Yes, the resting position is important (doctors have told me). I think another possible issue is that some people lock up their jaw without necessarily putting the teeth together. At least I do this if I don't pay attention. By "lock up" I mean that the jaw is simultaneosly pulled down by muscles and pulled up by the masseter. Then at night, the downward pulling muscles relax, and the upward pulling muscles (masseter) wins, and the actual teeth grinding occurs.
chubot 6y ago
Yup there's actually a kind of therapy called myofunctional therapy that fixes your "tongue posture"! Intro videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/sarahkh12 https://www.youtube.com/user/sarahkh12 Tongue posture is a real thing, which was news to me! The therapy fixed my breathing, it was miraculous! An improper tongue position can inhibit nose breathing. If the tongue doesn't seal the airway, you will have a turbulent and inefficient breath --- 10,000 times a day.

pgt 6y ago

Curious if that tongue-palate trick would also reduce bruxism during stimulant use.

wahern 6y ago
IME, yes. I tend to tap my teeth. Focusing on my tongue--pushing against my palette, keeping my teeth separated--helps. Seemingly coincidental remedy, too. I don't remember reading anything about the proper resting position of the jaw. I just found that the one the helped the other. In fact, I was worried doing this with my tongue was a no-no, but figured it was better than the alternative.
eplanit 6y ago
I was taught the tongue-palate trick years ago as a relaxation technique. It's basically impossible for your facial muscles to be contracted while doing it, helping an overall relaxation.
girvo 6y ago
Yeah it helps. Magnesium taken beforehand helps too, at least in my experience.

castlecrasher2 6y ago

I changed my resting tooth/jaw position recently, too, and it's made a big difference. I used to feel more stressed out in the mornings, and I was sure it was because of jaw clenching I would do at night which is now largely gone. And this is going to sound weird, but I've taken it even further by buying some baby chew toys off Amazon and chewing on them for maybe an hour a day. The benefits I've seen since starting about six months ago are 1) less teeth stress/pain at night and in the morning, 2) less nasal pressure/stress (pretty sure I have more breathing capacity through my nose now), and 3) I feel my face has widened ever so slightly but that may be the jaw positioning alone.

11235813213455 6y ago
Hehe, in my case, I have to chew a lot just for eating (raw food, mostly fruits and green/leafy vegs), since a few years.
amelius 6y ago
Doctors have told me specifically to not eat chewy food, like chewing-gum, so what you say seems contradictory to me. Was there any reason to use toys instead of just chewing-gum?
- castlecrasher2 6y ago
  >Was there any reason to use toys instead of just chewing-gum? Not really, except it lasts longer and I dislike the taste of chewing gum. Mastic gum works well, too.
danielscrubs 6y ago
I’m usually sleeping in a fetal position which immediately makes me grind my teeth. Straightening in bed (both breast out and head straight ) helps a lot.

amelius 6y ago

Yes, the resting position is important (doctors have told me). I think another possible issue is that some people lock up their jaw without necessarily putting the teeth together. At least I do this if I don't pay attention. By "lock up" I mean that the jaw is simultaneosly pulled down by muscles and pulled up by the masseter. Then at night, the downward pulling muscles relax, and the upward pulling muscles (masseter) wins, and the actual teeth grinding occurs.

chubot 6y ago

Yup there's actually a kind of therapy called myofunctional therapy that fixes your "tongue posture"! Intro videos here: https://www.youtube.com/user/sarahkh12 https://www.youtube.com/user/sarahkh12 Tongue posture is a real thing, which was news to me! The therapy fixed my breathing, it was miraculous! An improper tongue position can inhibit nose breathing. If the tongue doesn't seal the airway, you will have a turbulent and inefficient breath --- 10,000 times a day.