wapiti_forge Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 My dentist swears up and down that I grit my teeth when I sleep. I've told him for a few years that he's crazy. Today i realized I clench my teeth when I'm working on the anvil. Can't help it, it just happens. I stay quite relaxed when I'm working, but my jaw really tightens up. Once I realized it I tried to not do it, but it was really hard. That will take a lot of conscious effort while I'm working. Anybody else do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 When teaching sports I used to commonly see people tense up muscles and grit their teeth, so I am not surprised that people would do so while forging. With time and persistence people learn to relax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chyancarrek Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 I've been a "grinder" for years and my natural reaction is to clench when I'm concentrating. If you're doing the same, you might give some reconsideration to your D's suggestion that you might be a night grinder. It has a big impact on the ol' dental health (as I found out to my chagrin). A night guard or some physical therapy on the jaw may help if you're having ongoing problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Turn on the radio and sing along. Worked for a friend. Hope you have a better voice than his. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dief Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Spend about 10-15 seconds every few minutes and focus on your breathing. This techniques works when things sometimes get desperate when I rock climb and it should work for forging too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cckemm Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Try putting your tongue between your teeth when you go to the anvil, it might make you more aware of the clenching and help you to remember to relax. Or, of course, it could help you make your tongue shorter :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 How can you be so sure that the Dr. is wrong? You could get a guard to put in your mouth when working but it wont help when not in your mouth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti_forge Posted November 1, 2009 Author Share Posted November 1, 2009 Spend about 10-15 seconds every few minutes and focus on your breathing. This techniques works when things sometimes get desperate when I rock climb and it should work for forging too. I used to clench my teeth when I'd pull a hard move when I climbed a lot. It was pretty bad on long leads in the valley. Glad I'm not standing on long strings of heads and hooks anymore. I swing pretty hard when I'm reducing large stock and that's when I do it. I paid close attention this afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 once youve identified this kind of thing its much easier to get rid of it - i would totally concentrate on changing the habit every single time you notice it and it will soon happen a lot less. any kind of held tension in the body has knock on effects all over you so its really worth trying to get on top of it. i like the singing idea;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack hollingsworth Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 i do alot of MIG welding and i tend to clench my teeth when concentrating.. i love to belt out a tune whilst welding away so this is good encouragement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsiler Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Like what has been mentioned, Get a "bite guard". You'll be glad you did. After you have it then work on what is causing it when you work. And your dentist is probably right about grinding your teeth at night. I thought my dentist had a loose screw also. He didn't though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 i don't have that problem any more....i usually keep my foot in my mouth....hope ya find something that will help ya, jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Masuk Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Clenching your teeth when concentrating is a fairly normal reaction, If you were in a high stress situation where you might be attacked and hit in the jaw this would prevent you from being knocked out for the most part you may find it easier just you buy a guard of sorts, its pretty likely you might unconciously do this in many situations but not hard enough that you notice it because you jaw muscles dont get tired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dontask Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 I second the breathing idea. I use breathing techniques in my line of work which often includes "high" stress enviroments. The 4 count can be played with depending on the user. In through the nose, two, three, four. Hold two, three, four. Out through the lips two, three, four. Hold two, three, four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evfreek Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Get a cheap Nike mouth guard for football and wear it while you work. If you chew through it in a month, that is serious, and you can crack teeth or be at risk for TMJ. I know someone who chews through 5-6 a year and has been able to skip medical treatments just by making sure to wear the guard. Otherwise, you will start losing teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 (edited) HAHA, no, I wish I clenched my teeth! When I am super-concentrating at the anvil sometimes I find myself sticking the tip of my tounge out just a tiny bit, like a little kid concentrating in a cartoon. I am just waiting to burn my darned tounge. lol, like this kid: Edited November 1, 2009 by MarkC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Murray Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 I used to always stick the tip of my tongue out when working and i found some gum that i liked. i started chewing gum and it solved the problem. maybe it would help with your teeth grinding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nonjic Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 Chew gum when forging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.