Teeth grinding - effective approaches by Nick Kemp

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can be treated successfully using hypnosis to change the problem behaviour. In most instances the client finds themselves in an emotional spiral from which, regardless of what they think, they can't find any relief. Of course the actual grinding of the teeth is at the end of a sequence of behaviour. Prior to any teeth grinding the individual has to think a certain way in order to create a problem state which then results in the activity to create "the problem". Often clients are quite surprised at how much mental activity is going on when they listen back to the recordings of the sessions I do with them.
In many instances the individual then finds that they are endlessly anticipating the problem and thinking in the same way, feeling the same and then exhibiting the same problem behaviour. Every day becomes like "Groundhog Day" which can frequently lead to a feeling of helplessness. As if this wasn't bad enough, the teeth grinding can often also result in physical dental problems and of course a lack of proper restful sleep. In all instances these types of clients are mentally hyperactive and can’t easily switch off!
One very anxious client had actually bitten through the mouth guard supplied by her dentist whilst sleeping, and another client whose jaw had locked up so much that he had problems even eating. Both these clients were also great examples of "anticipated anxiety". Of course anxiety ALWAYS requires the individual to be focussing on the future (problem) possibilities rather than relaxation, which is always about ease in being in the here and now. I have a great deal of success with this type of issue which is mostly resolved in 2 – 3 hours.

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