~ Why do we clench our jaws? ~

You're driving.

Working.

Reading an email that's testing your patience.

Trying to finish something before the end of the day.

And then you notice it..

Your teeth are touching.

Your jaw is tight.

How long have you been doing that?

No idea..

Jaw clenching is one of those things many of us do without consciously deciding to do it.

It can happen while we're awake - and it can happen while we're fast asleep.

So...

Why do we do it?

Stress and anxiety can be associated with jaw clenching and teeth grinding. But it's not always as simple as “I'm stressed, therefore I clench.” You might catch yourself doing it while you're concentrating. Driving.. Exercising.. Working.. Or completely absorbed in something.

Sometimes it's simply happening in the background without you noticing at all. And if it happens while you're asleep? Well... you can't exactly catch yourself doing it, can you?

Meet your masseter.

Put your fingers on the sides of your jaw.

Now gently clench your teeth.

Feel that?

That's your masseter - one of the main muscles responsible for closing your jaw. Along with other chewing muscles, including the temporalis at the side of your head, it gets to work every time you bite and chew.

Which is exactly what it's supposed to do.

But sometimes your jaw is working when there's absolutely no food involved. The term bruxism describes repetitive jaw-muscle activity such as clenching or grinding. It can happen while you're awake or during sleep. And because so much of it can happen unconsciously, you might not even realise you're doing it.

Check your jaw right now.

Don't change anything yet.

Just notice.

Are your teeth touching?

When your jaw is resting, your upper and lower teeth generally aren't pressed together.

Your lips can rest gently while a little space remains between your teeth.

Now let your jaw soften.

Don't force your mouth open.

Just... stop holding it.

Better?

What can all that clenching feel like?

For some people, not much at all. For others, frequent clenching or grinding can be associated with jaw tightness or fatigue, tenderness around the jaw or temples, headaches, tooth sensitivity or wear, and discomfort around the TMJ - the joint connecting your lower jaw to your skull.

And sometimes you don't realise how tired an area feels... until somebody starts massaging it.

This is where Kobido gets interesting..

During Kobido, the jaw isn't treated as an afterthought. The treatment moves through the jaw, cheeks, temples, neck and surrounding tissues - giving plenty of attention to those muscles. And if you've spent half your day unknowingly gripping your jaw? Having someone work there can feel very good.

Kobido isn't a treatment for bruxism or TMJ disorders. Persistent jaw pain, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, tooth damage or regular morning headaches are worth discussing with a dentist or appropriate healthcare professional.

But before you go...

Check your jaw one more time.

Are you clenching again?

Thought so... 

Kat x