Several anti-psychotics do this to me. The doctor cut my recent one in half just today and I am praying it helps - I can't stand the tension headaches and the facial pain that stems from this. Has anyone else gone through this, or is it just lucky me that gets this side effect?

I have this problem but it is not caused by meds. In fact, yesterday I just had 2 crowns done as those molars were destroyed by night time clenching. I am 48.

Magnesium taken at night (it's a supplement) helps as it is a natural muscle relaxer. Along those lines, muscle relaxers help too.

Night guards lessen the pain and can be bought over the counter now. Problem is they are not too sexy and sometimes don't stay in your mouth. Keep trying and eventually you will be glad.

Not sure how true this is, but I am a big gum chewer (no snapping I promise) and I have heard that working your jaw muscles during the day can lessen the clenching at night.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

As for gum, I have been told by my dentist that gum chewing only strengthens the muscles for clenching. Work those muscles and you can bite through a molar in half the time. Ouch.

Shoot then my jaw muscles must be strong enough to lift a small child!

So were they prescription-only previously?

I got my first one (still use it) about 10 years ago from my dentist. It was $600.00. I am not sure I would call it prescription exactly, but the dentist had to make it by stuffing too much of some mold stuff in my mouth.

Now in the US, they have some over the counter molds one can use. I started seeing those just a couple of years ago.

Do you heat them in hot water and then bite on them, like moulding a gum shield?

I think so. I haven't used one.

I do know that guards are usually fitted to only your top or the bottom teeth. Not both.

Hey girl, long long time no pass you on trail of threads. Anyhow, adjusting the meds is needed when side effects occur, but also the use of cogentin as an adjunct has helped to reduce jaw clenching. Unfortunately, when meds, even antidepressants are used long enough, there's a possibility of developing the same type of side effect or extrapyridal syndrome or tardive dyskanesia (EPS or TD). This has to be closely monitored by a psychiatrist. Your friend, Soho

Just wanted to send support, I've suffered effects of clenching but I'm not on the same drug regimen as you but do suffer depression.

I've had to have trigger point injections in my jaw to relieve some of the tension and break the clenching cycle.

Thank you to everyone who has answered. It has lessened some, but not by much. I'm seeing my psych. soon so hopefully we will have a new option for me.