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​CBD for Bruxism

​CBD for Bruxism

4th Jan 2020

In recent years, cannabidiol has caught the attention of the public and the interest of many medical researchers and health care providers. More commonly referred to as CBD, this component of the marijuana plant is often touted by people in the alternative health field as an effective treatment for an amazing array of ills. While some claims are currently speculative or supported only by anecdotal evidence, others have garnered some serious scientific backing. Could CBD for bruxism considered useful in treatment? Answering that question requires knowing something about not only bruxism but also CBD products and the potential benefits and drawbacks of CBD for bruxism.

CBD for Bruxism

What Is Bruxism?

Clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth can be an expression of determination, anger, stress or some other extreme emotion. However, when it is a habitual motion that a person unconsciously performs when they are awake or sleeping, it becomes a medical concern called bruxism.

Bruxism can threaten both the oral and overall health of the individual. If left untreated, this repetitive motion can leave teeth damaged and painfully sensitive. Headaches, discomfort in the face, jaw or ears, and poor sleep are also common complaints.

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Why Do Some People Develop Bruxism?

Doctors suspect that a mix of physical, psychological and genetic factors may all be involved. Although bruxism's exact trigger remains unclear, certain risk factors have been identified. For example, individuals who are hyperactive, people with Type A personalities, and those who are experiencing high levels of stress seem to be more likely to engage in grinding or clenching of the teeth. Over time, this behavior might spur the development of bruxism. Some medications and medical conditions can also increase a person's risk of developing the issue. In addition, having relatives who struggle with the condition can raise an individual's risk of battling bruxism. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to help those confronted with this condition. Could CBD be one of them?

cbd for bruxism></p><h2>CBD Fundamentals</h2><p> Marijuana, which is also known as cannabis, is a psychoactive plant that contains over 500 chemical components, including more than 100 cannabinoids. Chemicals that react with the body's cannabinoid receptors, cannabinoids can impact the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is probably one of the most widely recognized cannabinoids. It's also the one that triggers the high famously associated with the use of marijuana as an illicit drug.</p><p> CBD is a cannabinoid, but it is not psychoactive and does not produce a high. In fact, when CBD is taken in conjunction with THC, it seems to act as an antagonist to THC, counteracting its effect and limiting the high that it produces. Perhaps more importantly to those battling chronic health conditions, CBD also seems to combat inflammation, spasm and pain.</p><h3>The Potential Pros and Cons of CBD</h3><p> As Harvard Health Publishing notes, a variety of scientific studies suggest that CBD oil can be effective in the treatment of epileptic seizures, inflammation and chronic pain. There is also reason to believe that it can help in the management of issues like anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, muscle spasms and neuropathic pain. How promising is CBD as a potential treatment? Consider this: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Epidiolex for seizure disorders. CBD is among its active ingredients, which gives Epidiolex the distinction of being the first cannabis-derived medicine for these disorders to win the FDA's blessing.</p><p> While CBD may be slowly gaining a toehold in the prescription drug market, it is already widely available in an array of over-the-counter formulations, and many users report finding relief with these products. CBD oil can be used orally or topically and is listed as an ingredient in concoctions of all kinds. CBD tinctures, creams and waxes are available for topical use, and e-liquids like those used in vape pens offer yet another way to take CBD. However, there are some side effects associated with the use of this substance, including nausea, irritability and fatigue.</p><p> <img src=

In addition, CBD is known to interact with blood thinners and other medications. Also worrisome is the fact that CBD is currently regarded as a supplement. Why should that matter? Supplements are not regulated by the FDA like medications are. When it comes to the safety, purity and strength of CBD products and other supplements, consumers are forced to rely on the manufacturers' reports of what their products contain.

CBD for Bruxism

Although there are no direct studies of CBD for bruxism, there are anecdotal success stories. People who have found relief generally report that using a few drops of CBD oil each day reduced both their  teeth grinding and the pain that resulted from the behavior.

How might CBD benefit those suffering from bruxism? In theory, there are several potential mechanisms:

  • Since CBD is known to aid in the management of anxiety, it may aid those whose grinding and clenching motions are triggered by stress by helping them manage their anxiety and tension.
  • CBD's capacity for reducing inflammation, halting spasms and relaxing tense muscles could also help ease the strain on the temporomandibular joint and the jaw muscles, effectively treating both bruxism and TMJ disorders that often accompany it.
  • CBD is thought to aid those battling chronic pain by calming pain receptors, so it could combat the discomfort and sensitivity associated with bruxism.
  • Good sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and bruxism is known to interfere with sleep. Multiple studies indicate that CBD seems to help people sleep better.

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Time-tested Treatment Options for Bruxism

While some believe CBD holds promise as a treatment for bruxism, it is far from the only option available. There are several time-tested treatment options that can be effective in combating teeth grinding and clenching:

  • Mouth guards are a simple, affordable and effective way to stop sleep bruxism in its tracks. Also called occlusal guards or bite guards, they protect the teeth from the wear and tear of repetitive grinding and hold the jaw in a healthy position when worn overnight. For those concerned about comfort, custom-fitted night guards crafted from an impression of the patient's teeth are a great choice.
  • Biofeedback training uses specialized equipment to help people regain conscious control of their jaw and break the habit of grinding or clenching their teeth.
  • Relaxation, massage and stress-management techniques like exercise or meditation are often recommended when stress seems to be a major trigger of bruxism.
  • Medications like anti-inflammatories may be suggested to ease the pain of bruxism. Sometimes, muscle relaxers are prescribed to reduce the tension in the jaw muscles. In a similar vein, Botox injections can be used to temporarily weaken the jaw muscles and reduce teeth grinding.

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching may seem like minor issues, but they can cause serious discomfort and dental destruction. Why suffer unnecessarily with headaches, sore jaws and sensitive teeth when effective treatments are readily available?

If you believe bruxism may be at the root of your pain or insomnia, don't tough it out. At Pro Teeth Guard, we take pride in helping people find relief from bruxism. Crafted from high-quality materials, our custom-fitted dental night guards deliver impressive comfort, effective protection and fantastic value.

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