Bruxism: suggested nontoxic cures
Mercury detox, geopathic stress, psychological and energetic approaches, nutritional therapy
This page lists suggestions and documents various ways in which to successfully address the (mostly) "gnightly gnashing of teeth" called by the poetic name of bruxism :-).
Mercury poisoning and detoxification
According to Dr. med. Dietrich Klinghardt M.D., Ph.D. and other researchers, the neurotoxic mercury from dental amalgam fillings escapes via nervous pathways into other parts of the body, particularly the brain. Quote from a lecture by Dietrich Klinghardt M.D., Ph.D. and Dr. Patricia Kane Ph.D. held at the ETH Zurich in April 2003 (© translation by Healing Teeth Naturally, 2008):
"[Mercury's] normal pathway ... is via the trigeminal nerve which innervates all your teeth. The mercury enters and wanders to the trigeminal ganglion. This ganglion not only innervates teeth but also various masticatory muscles. The symptoms some people exhibit at night, the chewing and grinding of teeth, in most cases are caused by the poisoning of the trigeminal ganglion with mercury. The mouth of these people simply needs to be detoxified, and the chewing will stop." Compare Dr. med. Dietrich Klinghardt M.D., Ph.D. On Effective Holistic Heavy Metal Detoxification (Chelation).
Psychological approaches
Apart from any physical causes (such as malocclusion etc.), bruxism has been linked to emotional factors such as anxiety, stress (at work, in one's profession etc.), irregular work shifts, tension, depression and ineffective coping strategies. It makes a lot of sense that the body will try to discharge some of its accumulated frustration at night via grinding its teeth. In fact I have seen it suggested to use chewing gum to get rid of anger at one's boss if there isn't a more direct way to find relief (see Toothache can be triggered by continuous stress leading to bruxism). Similarly, a tight jaw can be somewhat relieved by chewing hard items such as raw carrots etc.
There are various relaxation routines (such as listening to guided meditations) that could help release the tension in the jaw area as well as introducing positive suggestions (such as before going to sleep) regarding restful sleep without teeth grinding.
Even hypnotherapy can be successful at stopping teeth grinding by working with the subconscious to relieve stress, erase old and implant new patterns (as usual, great care in choosing whom to work with seems advisable if this approach is of interest to you).
Nutritional therapy
According to dentist Joel Knapp of Hendersonville, Tennessee, bruxism can be easily cured using supplements. He writes, "bruxism, or teeth grinding, also responds to nutritional therapy. A woman came in here who had taken her son all over the place looking for some help. He had head X-rays and orthodontic advice, but he was still grinding his teeth smooth, keeping the whole house awake at night. and he would wake up tired, too, in the morning. I put this child on B complex and dolomite [natural calcium magnesium carbonate], one tablet of each one hour before bed. The bruxism was gone that very night."2
A TMJ sufferer reported that she found cod liver oil (rich source of Vitamin A and D) in capsules the most helpful.
Sugar
Dentist Dr. Graeme Munro-Hall writes in his highly recommended book "Toxic Dentistry Exposed", "Sugar is the prime culprit for causing jaw muscle spasm. My own daughter ground her baby teeth to the gum line; every night you could hear the grinding. Getting rid of sugar from her diet, albeit with difficulty, stopped her from grinding at night almost immediately. The grinding action is one way muscles show they are in spasm."
Remove geopathic stress and electromagnetic fields (EMFs)
For background on what geopathic stress is, how it can affect the body and how to remedy it, see for instance www.healingcancernaturally.com/geopathic-stress-and-cancer.html. Living/working/sleeping in a place affected by geopathic stress has been associated with nightly teeth grinding as well as (at least -and powerfully so- anecdotally1) with tooth decay and other dental/gum problems! Geopathic stress (from underground sources) apparently is stronger at night. One (not necessarily correct) suggested explanation for its triggering effect on tooth grinding is that it overstimulates the nerves of the teeth. In any case, geopathic stress seems to have a weakening effect on our immune system (possibly even more pronounced in children) and taking measures to avoid or protect oneself against it is an essential part of personal health care in my eyes.
Energetic approaches
"Emotional acupressure" self-help techniques such as Jin Shin Jyutsu and EFT may be effective at permanently releasing stress, tension and conflicted emotions held in the jaw and neck.
Homeopathic remedies
Although homeopathic remedies typically are prescribed for the individual and not for any generic disease (i.e. two persons with the same disease and symptoms may be prescribed two completely different homeopathic remedies), here are some "generic" homeopathic remedies I've found recommended for bruxism at holistic dentist Dr. Bill Wolfe's site www.drwolfe.com:
- Belladonna: for grinding problem that causes painful teeth.
- Podophyllum: for night grinding when experiencing a burning sensation of the tongue.
- Tuberculinum: for children who grind their teeth.
To prevent "cancelling out" the medical effect of homeopathic medication, compare "Antidotes" to homeopathic remedies: something to be aware of and avoid.
Intestinal parasites
Apparently, even worms or other parasites can be a culprit in triggering nightly teeth grinding. Dr. Hulda Clark for instance writes that pinworms can lead to tooth grinding and contribute to temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.2
Holistic dentist, Chiropractic, Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT), cranial osteopathy, NUCCA, Bowen technique, craniosacral therapy, Theraflex etc.
These are some of the paid services on offer that might help you. I would advise to carefully look for reputable practitioners before engaging with any one of them (compare for instance Beware of fake alternative and/or holistic dentists [they can harm you]).
Background and more bruxism treatment suggestions
See Dental glossary: definition, causes and treatment of bruxism and E-books on TMJ and bruxism (written by former sufferers).
Footnotes
1 ... in the extraordinary testimonial of a person I read on one of Lynne McTaggart's "What Doctors Don't Tell You" forums who had dreadful problems with his teeth, both infections and tooth decay, as a child, then enjoyed many years of good dental health but later, developed problems again. The common denominator he was able to pin down in retrospect was that when living over geopathic stress, he had dental decay and other problems, while enjoying healthy teeth and gums when living without the impact of geopathic stress!
2 Compare Dr. Hulda Regehr Clark on temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) pain: on causes and remedies.