Do you wake up with a sore jaw in the morning? Has your dentist warned you that you grind your teeth at night? Teeth grinding can lead to lots of trouble with your jaw, teeth, and gums, including loss of tooth material, loose teeth, and difficulty chewing. Finding a natural solution to help you stop grinding your teeth at night is a common concern for those with this habit.

To understand how to stop teeth grinding, you need to know the causes of this habit. Then, you can find the right natural solution for you, including the use of essential oils to stop grinding and relieve the symptoms caused by this behavior.

Why Do I Grind My Teeth?

Some people grind their teeth during the day, but the majority of people with bruxism (teeth grinding) do so at night while sleeping. If you regularly wake up with a headache, sore jaw, or other pain in your mouth, you are likely grinding your teeth while you sleep. You may grind your teeth because you are anxious or stressed, or your grinding may be due to misalignment of your teeth and/or jaw. To better understand which of these is causing your grinding, talk with your dentist.

Which Essential Oils Are Best For Teeth Grinding?

The most effective use of essential oils for teeth grinding is to use them to treat the anxiety and stress that are most commonly causing you to grind your teeth. The essential oils we describe here are excellent for promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and enhancing your mental state. These can make you rest more comfortably and feel more relaxed, which leads to less grinding.

Peppermint essential oil is an excellent choice for reducing anxiety, which is often the cause of teeth grinding. It can also help treat pain and headaches from previous grinding. Another great essential oil for reducing stress is ylang-ylang oil. It lowers blood pressures and calms anxious nerves, which can save your teeth while you sleep.

Those with anxiety and depression may want to try turmeric essential oil, which enhances mood and lowers thoughts of depression or anxiety.

Rose essential oil is another natural antidepressant and can help you feel calm and relaxed as you drift off to sleep at night.

Calm the muscles in your jaw, neck, and shoulders using lavender essential oil, a natural sedative that promotes relaxation and calm. If you want to sleep better and more soundly, you can try either Valerian, geranium, or chamomile essential oils, all of which are known to improve the quality of sleep.

Bergamot essential oil is another scent that releases tension and can stop you from clenching your jaw.

Rosemary essential oil is effective at treating muscle pains and aches, which makes it great for using after a night when you have been grinding your teeth. Try using clary sage oil during the day to calm your nerves and relax your muscles, which will help you release tension before you ever go to bed at night.

How Should I Use These Oils?

There are multiple ways to use essential oils to decrease your teeth grinding behaviors, so opt for the one that best matches your preferences and needs. The most popular methods include:

• Aromatherapy: Use your preferred oil or blend in your favorite room diffuser at night while you are sleeping.
• Apply to your linens: Spray a few drops of your favorite oil mixed with water onto your pillow or sheets before bedtime.
• Bath infusion: Add drops of your preferred oil to you warm, bedtime bath. Soak in the warm water and inhale the aroma as it mixes with the steam.
• Direct skin application: Apply a few drops of your favorite oil to your jaw or near your sinuses. You will inhale this scent as you are falling asleep and while you rest.
• Skin massage: You can mix your favorite oil with a carrier oil, then massage this into your shoulders, back, neck, and jaw at bedtime.