The best essential oils for teeth grinding are Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Ylang-ylang, Juniper Berry, Peppermint, Frankincense, Rosemary, Geranium, Valerian, Sweet Orange. Teeth grinding is a disorderliness that is usually caused by stress and can lead to a whole host of other issues. Essential oils are great stress relievers and have been used for years to halt teeth grinding.
Here we take a look at the essential oils for teeth grinding, their benefits, and how you can use them to get rid of this pesky problem.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism in the medical world) can range from a harmless habit to a severe medical emergency. Many people often experience the grinding or clenching of their teeth when stressed, but it can lead to other issues down the road when done excessively.
Besides stress, several other things like abnormal dentition, a poorly aligned bite, nocturnal bruxism, and sleep apnea can all lead to bruxism. Teeth grinding is harmful because it can lead to more serious dental issues such as loss, loosening, or wearing your teeth.
It can also affect your jaw, causing or aggravating temporomandibular disorders. This can lead to chronic facial pain, debilitating headaches, disability and even change the shape of your face.
Symptoms of Teeth Grinding
Here are common signs that you might be suffering from teeth grinding, especially in your sleep.
- facial pain, especially in the face, ear, or jaw
- chronic or recurring headaches
- pain or stiffness in the jaw and surrounding muscles
- sleep disturbances
- wearing down of your teeth
- toothaches or increased teeth sensitivity
- broken teeth or fillings
The 10 Best Essential Oils For Teeth Grinding &How to Use Them
Essential oils are a great way to deal with teeth grinding and its symptoms. Here are ten of the best essential oils for dealing with teeth grinding:
- Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Ylang-ylang Essential Oil
- Juniper Berry Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Geranium Essential Oil
- Valerian Essential Oil
- Sweet Orange Essential Oil
1. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Roman chamomile is a perennial plant found all across Europe, North America, and Argentina. Known as Chamaemelum mobile, it is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world.
Roman chamomile essential oil is excellent for aromatherapy. It diffuses quickly and has several fundamental properties that make it uniquely suited for managing teeth grinding. Medicinal oil is great for dealing with anxiety and depression. It gives off a soothing aura when used. This quickly relaxes the body and helps unclench jaw muscles when applied topically.
The oil has a sedating effect, so it’s great for nighttime bruxism or those who have a hard time getting a good night’s rest due to the condition. The aroma of the essential oil should be allowed to diffuse gently throughout the environment, but remember not to use it while driving or operating heavy machinery because of its sedating effect.
2. Lavender Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Lavandula angustifolia, or as it’s more commonly known, Lavender, is a household name when it comes to aromatherapy. The lavender essential oil has a wide range of uses; therefore, it’s not surprising that it also helps in managing bruxism.
Lavender, when used for aromatherapy, has a strong relaxing effect. It has been described as a soothing aura that helps wash worry and anxiety away. It is also a great sleeping aid and is commonly used in dealing with insomnia and sleep apnea.
The fragrance helps release tension and relax muscle spasms. This relaxes the jaw muscles and allows you to unclench your teeth, even when you’re not aware of doing so. It’s also a great anti-inflammatory agent and detoxifier.
3. Ylang-ylang Essential Oil teeth Grinding
Ylang-ylang is a tropical tree native to India but which may be found throughout other parts of Asia. The tree is also called fragrant cananga or the Macassar-oil plant. It has been a popular part of the aromatherapy world for generations.
When used for aromatherapy, the ylang-ylang essential oil has strong relaxing properties. It has been noted to reduce high blood pressure and reduce anxieties. This makes it useful for teeth grinding, which stems from anxiety, fear, or depression.
Ylang-ylang is also an anti-spasmodic, meaning it helps unclench the jaw muscles when they are excessively tensed. The plant has estrogen-like effects, and as pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use such. Also, avoid it if you already have low blood pressure.
4. Juniper Berry Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Many of the essential oils we have dealt with so far have mostly worked by reducing anxiety or relaxing tensed up muscles. The juniper berry plant or Juniperus communis has another great way it deals with bruxism. It’s a great natural pain reliever.
The juniper berry plant has been used for decades to treat chronic pain and is most popularly used in treating rheumatism. It is excellent for nerve pain, which makes it ideal for the facial pain associated with bruxism.
Most people describe the constant pain which comes with the condition as one of the most distressing symptoms. Pain relief is one of the most important goals in the successful management of bruxism. Juniper berry essential oil is at the top of the list as a well-trusted pain remedy in aromatherapy.
5. Peppermint Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Peppermint (Mentha × Piperita) is found naturally in North America and Europe. It is a cross between two other famous mints, spearmint and watermint. The oil is extracted from the leaves of the herb. Thus it is used for a wide range of therapies, including treating teeth grinding.
The aroma of the plant has been described as sharp and refreshing. The essential oil contains several crucial compounds of which menthol is a very important component. Menthol has soothing effects and is great for relieving the jaw pain associated with the condition.
A 10% essential oil solution applied to the forehead and temples effectively reduces the severity and frequency of headaches. Menthol can be somewhat irritating when inhaled at high concentrations, so it should be used carefully during aromatherapy.
6. Frankincense Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Frankincense is a popular name even among those who are not familiar with the world of aromatic oils. It is obtained from a resin made by the Boswellia tree, which is native to the dry, mountainous regions of India, Africa, and the Middle East.
Frankincense has well-known anti-inflammatory and pain-relief attributes. It has been used for pain management in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis for centuries. It also reduces stiffness and relaxes spasms within tense muscles.
Massaging the oil on tense jaw muscles is a great way to treat jaw clenching before you go to bed. Frankincense can also be applied to the gums and helps ease toothaches and jaw pain.
7. Rosemary Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
When most people hear about rosemary, their mind immediately gravitates to the popular food seasoning. However, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is also a great aromatic herb whose essential oil is used as a part of numerous natural remedies.
The plant is an evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and an intense woody aroma. The essential oil has some properties that make it useful for treating teeth grinding. The oil is usually massaged onto the affected area and helps reduce pain.
It can also be inhaled through aromatherapy and some research shows that it is effective in stress relief. Inhalation of the fragrance reduces your heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Though this claim is still tentative, there is some evidence that supports its effectiveness.
8. Geranium Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Geranium essential oil is obtained from the leaves of Pelargonium graveolens, a plant species native to South Africa, but can also be found in Europe and Asia. It is used in aromatherapy and is said to have several health benefits in humans.
Geranium is an anti-inflammatory agent and, as such, is used to reduce pain and inflammation in a wide range of conditions. The aroma is said to have a calming effect and is useful for stress relief and anxiety management.
The geranium essential oil can be used with a diffuser as part of aromatherapy, or it can be diluted with a carrier oil and used in massage therapy. Geranium oil is not meant to be ingested and should be used externally only.
9. Valerian Essential Oil
Valerian essential oil is obtained from the root of the valerian plant (Valeriana officinalis). The root has been used for centuries as an anxiolytic and sleeping aid. It is useful in treating insomnia, stress migraines, and restlessness.
The fragrance is said to have a warm, woody tone. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy for calming anxious nerves and quieting the spirit. In some cases where teeth grinding stem from restlessness and anxiety, valerian essential oil may be a great way to deal with this.
Valerian oil should not be consumed. It is strictly for aromatherapy. The oil should be allowed to diffuse gently through the environment either at night time or during the day, whenever you notice your teeth grinding is most prevalent.
10. Sweet Orange Essential Oil for Teeth Grinding
Sweet orange essential oil is extracted from the rind of the sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). It has been described as having a sharp and exciting fragrance like most citrus plants. The fragrance is one of the most popular scents of the citrus family and is commonly used in many products.
It combines two important properties when it comes to the treatment of bruxism—reducing anxiety and pain relief. This makes sweet orange essential oil a popular home remedy for bruxism.
The familiar scent even further adds to its calming effect as it creates a sense of comfort. The oils can be used for aromatherapy or diluted in a carrier oil and massage gently on your jaw muscles and temples. It relieves facial pain and headaches, leaving you feeling relaxed and refreshed.
How to Use Essential Oils for Teeth Grinding (Useful Recipes)
Essential oils can be used in several ways to cure grinding teeth. Here are several useful recipes for dealing with teeth grinding:
Recipe for Pain Relief
- Peppermint essential oil: 4 drops
- Frankincense essential oil: 4 drops
- Sweet orange essential oil: 4 drops
- Carrier oil: 30 ml (1 oz)
Blend the mixture thoroughly by shaking it, then massage it gently on your jaw muscles. If you have a headache, you can also apply it to your temples and forehead.
Recipe for Relaxing Tense Jaw Muscles
- Roman chamomile essential oil: 5 drops
- Juniper berry essential oil: 5 drops
- Peppermint essential oil: 5 drops
- Carrier oil: 30 ml (1 oz)
Blend the mixture thoroughly by shaking it, then massage it gently on your jaw muscles. Massage your jaw with firm motions until you feel your skin warming up. It is best applied before going to bed.
Recipe for Soothing Anxieties
- Lavender essential oil: 5 drops
- Ylang-ylang essential oil: 5 drops
- Rosemary essential oil: 5 drops
Add the mix to your diffuser and let it permeate throughout the room. Avoid using carrier oils in a diffuser because they do not diffuse and may clog up the device.
FAQs Best Essential Oils For Teeth Grinding
1. Can Essential Oils Help with Teeth Grinding?
Essential oils are an important part of managing teeth grinding. They work in several ways to address the key issues associated with the condition.
They may function either as an anxiolytic, which calms and soothes the nerves, an anti-spasmodic, which relaxes muscles, or a pain-reliever, to feel with the facial pain, toothaches, and headaches.
Some essential oils, such as sweet orange or peppermint, combine some or all of these actions. This makes them very effective in dealing with teeth grinding.
2. What Essential Oils Stop Teeth Grinding?
Various essential oils help in teeth grinding. Some of which include:
- Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Ylang-ylang Essential Oil
- Juniper Berry Essential Oil
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential Oil
- Geranium Essential Oil
- Valerian Essential Oil
- Sweet Orange Essential Oil, etc.
These products help to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and relax tense muscles.
In conclusion, teeth grinding can be an incredibly distressing issue, especially in young children. With these home remedies and other medical means like using a mouthguard and oral therapy, the condition can be easily managed.