Researchers have found Buspar to be highly effective for depression and for preventing bruxism as a side effect. Consider switching your Paxil or Zoloft to Buspar to avoid jaw clenching and bruxism. Other medications that have been reported to cause bruxism include dopamine agents.
Bruxism is typically stress-related, but a misaligned jaw or missing teeth can also cause bruxism. Some people are more prone to teeth grinding and jaw clenching, including people who: Are under stress or feel anxious. Are highly competitive or aggressive.
→ Bruxism associated with antidepressant use is an underrecognized phenomenon, particularly among neurologists. → Antidepressant-associated bruxism/jaw pain most commonly begins within 3–4 weeks of medication initiation or dose titration, and can resolve within 3–4 weeks of drug discontinuation.
Bruxism may be triggered as an adverse reaction to antidepressant therapy and may cause symptoms within weeks of medication introduction or dose titration. This phenomenon may be seen in a variety of serotonergic antidepressants and may be most associated with fluoxetine, sertraline, or venlafaxine.
There are reports of people unconsciously gritting or grinding their teeth while taking Paxil, Lexapro, and other SSRIs. This bruxism can lead to headaches, jaw pain, and cracked fillings or other dental problems.
Hold the tip of the chin in the right hand with the thumb resting under the chin and the index finger wrapped around the front. Softly push the right hand against the jaw. Slowly start to open the jaw while continuing to push against the chin. Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly close the mouth.
Tricyclic antidepressants can help relieve pain caused by a TMJ disorder. You don't have to have a history of depression to take an antidepressant. These medications work by influencing how your body interprets pain. An example of a tricyclic anti-depressant used to treat TMJ disorders is amitriptyline (eg, Elavil).
Lexapro weight gain can be a common side effect, but it doesn't impact everyone who takes this medication. Multiple studies conclude that SSRIs like Lexapro can result in weight gain. However, it varies from person to person depending on individual factors such as age, lifestyle habits, diet, and activity level.
Bruxism can be associated with some mental health and medical disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Sleep bruxism was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency and low dietary calcium intake and is also associated with increased anxiety and depression scores. Further investigations are needed to check if vitamin D and calcium supplementation can improve sleep bruxism.
Researchers have found Buspar to be highly effective for depression and for preventing bruxism as a side effect. Consider switching your Paxil or Zoloft to Buspar to avoid jaw clenching and bruxism.
Magnesium supplements can help relax the small, fast twitch muscles in your jaw and reduce grinding further.
Benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat anxiety, nervousness, panic attacks, seizures, muscle spasms, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines may reduce TMJ pain directly as well as indirectly as a result of its anti-anxiety properties.
Sleep bruxism: Mouth Appliances
If you're clenching your jaw in your sleep, appropriate intervention might include mouth appliance therapy and medication. A dental mouthguard (night guard or bite splint) might be prescribed by your dentist to protect your teeth and jaw.
Tight jaw muscles can be a side effect of stress and anxiety. Muscle tension throughout the body increases when you are under a lot of stress or feeling anxious. If you are prone to clenching your jaw, you'll likely experience tension in your jaw muscles as well.
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, behind your teeth. Then use your tongue to push your top teeth forward and, while doing that, slowly open your mouth, stretching those tight jaw muscles. Stop doing this when you feel pain. You can repeat this ten times.
Bruxism is an under-recognised adverse drug reaction particularly associated with use of antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A recent systematic review of case reports found it was most commonly reported with fluoxetine, venlafaxine and sertraline.
Escitalopram (Lexapro) is a first-choice antidepressant for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Typically, you take it by mouth once daily. Escitalopram (Lexapro) is available as both a tablet and a liquid. Some people notice an improvement in their condition as early as a week after they start treatment.
Take escitalopram once a day. You can take it with or without food. You can take escitalopram at any time of day, as long as you stick to the same time every day. If you have trouble sleeping, it's best to take it in the morning.
Supplementation — Magnesium is the holy grail of supplements for TMJD. I use one called Triple Calm Magnesium, a blend of three magnesiums (taurate, glycinate, malate). It's critical for relieving muscle spasms, tightness and stress. And it improves sleep.
Botox® injections can be used to stop the cause of Bruxism by relaxing the over-active jaw muscles. This will take the pressure off the jaw, break the habit and at the same time, stop any discomfort and minimise any further damage to your teeth.
Possible causes of daytime bruxism may include: High-stress Occupations – High-stakes, deadline-focused work environments. Tension – A short-term emotion that arises in day-to-day scenarios such as sitting in traffic during rush hour. Teeth Misalignment – An abnormal bite or uneven smile.
Medical research has linked magnesium to reduced anxiety. Magnesium helps you to relax by stimulating the production of melatonin and serotonin which boost your mood and help you sleep. Magnesium also reduces the production of cytokines and cortisol, which lead to increased inflammation and stress.