Jaw clenching and teeth grinding are often more complex than simply “stress.”
Bruxism can occur while awake or during sleep, and these patterns may have different contributing factors. Stress, emotional responses, habitual jaw tension, sleep-related factors and other physical or behavioural influences may all play a role.
Many people experiencing awake bruxism find themselves consciously relaxing their jaw, only to discover later that they are clenching again.
Understanding your individual pattern is therefore an important first step in determining the most appropriate approach to managing it.
At MindHeal, treatment is approached through a structured three-stage process designed to identify and address relevant psychological and behavioural contributors.
Awake or asleep? The distinction matters.
Current international consensus distinguishes between awake bruxism and sleep bruxism. They are considered different jaw-muscle behaviours and may involve different contributing factors.
This means there is no single explanation — or single approach — appropriate for every person experiencing bruxism.
[READ: WHAT CURRENT RESEARCH TELLS US ABOUT BRUXISM]
The Mindheal 3-Step Framework
Step 1 — Understand
Identify contributing factors including:
- Stress and anxiety patterns
- Sleep quality
- Emotional triggers
- Daily tension patterns
- Lifestyle influences
- Existing coping mechanisms
- Awake versus sleep-related symptoms
- Dental or medical factors that may require further assessment
Goal:
Develop a clearer understanding of when bruxism occurs, the factors that may be contributing to it and whether additional dental, medical or sleep assessment should be considered.
Step 2 – Regulate
Introduce strategies designed to increase awareness of jaw tension and support relaxation, emotional regulation and reduction of physical tension where these factors are contributing to the individual’s pattern.
This may include:
- Relaxation training
- Nervous system regulation
- Emotional regulation skills
- Hypnotic relaxation approaches
- Stress management techniques
Goal:
Support greater awareness, relaxation and regulation where physical tension or heightened arousal may be contributing to clenching.
Step 3 – Rewire
Where appropriate, use therapeutic approaches including counselling and clinical hypnotherapy to help address habitual responses, stress, emotional triggers and other psychological or behavioural factors identified during assessment.
EMDR may also be considered where relevant unresolved experiences or emotional triggers form part of the broader clinical presentation.
Goal: Support the development and reinforcement of healthier behavioural and emotional responses.
Bruxism & Jaw Clenching – 6 Session Program
01
Assessment, education, identification of awake/sleep patterns and individual treatment planning.
02
Nervous system regulation and tension reduction strategies.
03
Stress pattern identification and emotional triggers.
04
Clinical hypnotherapy and behavioural pattern change, where appropriate.
05
EMDR or targeted therapeutic intervention where appropriate.
06
Consolidation, relapse prevention and future planning.
Every client is different, and treatment plans may be adapted to individual needs.
Bruxism may require more than one approach
Bruxism can have dental, sleep-related, physical, behavioural and psychological contributors. MindHeal focuses on the psychological and behavioural factors that may contribute to jaw clenching and tension.
Where symptoms suggest that dental, medical or sleep-related assessment may also be appropriate, clients may be encouraged to seek advice from the relevant healthcare professional.
Our aim is not to assume why you clench or grind your teeth, but to understand your individual pattern and determine where therapy may appropriately help.
Not sure which approach is right for you?
Many clients are unsure whether counselling, EMDR or hypnotherapy is the best starting point.
During your initial consultation we will discuss your goals, concerns and history before developing an approach tailored specifically to your needs.