Essential Oils for Grinding Teeth
Stress is considered one of the leading causes of teeth griding. Lowering stress levels might help diminish grinding teeth. Here are 4 case studies related to essential oils that help lower stress and anxiety which, in turn, could help with grinding teeth at night.
1. Lavender and Rose Essential Oil and Anxiety Reduction
Method: 72 dental patients were exposed to lavender essential oil via aromatherapy during dental procedures.
Findings: Those exposed to lavender reported significantly lower anxiety levels compared to the control group. The calming effects of lavender may help alleviate muscle tension related to grinding teeth during stressful situations.
2. Aromatherapy (lavender, peppermint, rosemary and clary-sage) for Stress Relief
Method: Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary and clary sage essential oils were administered through inhalation to a group of 77 nursing students during exams.
Findings: Results showed a significant decrease in stress and anxiety among participants, suggesting that these essential oils could be beneficial for stress management, which might help reduce grinding teeth triggered by stress.
3. Aromatherapy and Stress Levels and Anxiety
Method: 183 participants were provided essential oil blends (including chamomile and lavender) for a month.
Findings: Improved stress levels as well as improvement in depression and anxiety - leading to reduced daytime stress and tension, factors often contributing to bruxism. Lower stress levels and anxiety can help mitigate grinding teeth behaviors at night.
4. Bergamot Essential Oil and Emotional Well-Being
Method: 57 participants, ages 23-70, inhaled bergamot oil and completed anxiety scales before and after exposure.
Findings: The study revealed reduced heart rate, blood pressure, stress responses, depression, and anxiety leading to mood improvement. The study suggests that bergamot essential oil’s calming effects might help individuals manage emotional triggers that lead to teeth grinding.
Conclusion:
While the studies don't directly target teeth grinding as their primary focus, they collectively demonstrate the potential of essential oils in reducing anxiety and stress, which are significant contributors to teeth grinding. They suggest that using essential oils might be a complementary approach alongside other treatments for bruxism.
References:
S PK, Aafaque S, S S, N N. Effect of Aromatherapy on Dental Anxiety Among Orthodontic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus. 2019 Aug 2;11(8):e5306. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5306. PMID: 31592362; PMCID: PMC6773455.
Park MK, Lee ES. [The effect of aroma inhalation method on stress responses of nursing students]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2004 Apr;34(2):344-51. Korean. doi: 10.4040/jkan.2004.34.2.344. PMID: 15314330.
Ebrahimi H, Mardani A, Basirinezhad MH, Hamidzadeh A, Eskandari F. The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial. Explore (NY). 2022 May-Jun;18(3):272-278. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2020.12.012. Epub 2021 Jan 9. PMID: 33454232.
Han X, Gibson J, Eggett DL, Parker TL. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Essential Oil Inhalation Improves Positive Feelings in the Waiting Room of a Mental Health Treatment Center: A Pilot Study. Phytother Res. 2017 May;31(5):812-816. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5806. Epub 2017 Mar 24. PMID: 28337799; PMCID: PMC5434918.