Why You Really Grind Your Teeth (It’s Not What You Think) Part 2

Rheece Hartte

2d (edited) • Give Advice

Bruxism is basically a whole-body SWERPSS problem showing up through the teeth.

What is bruxism really?

It’s nervous system overload (fight-or-flight stuck “on”)
Often mixed with sleep/airway issues, inflammation, and nutrient gaps
The jaw is just where the body vents that tension

SWERPSS is literally the framework to dial all of that down.

S - Sunshine

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - circadian rhythm, stress hormones, vitamin D

Morning sun helps set a healthy cortisol curve leads to less wired & tired at night leads to less night grinding.
Sunlight & vitamin D leads to better calcium & magnesium balance, nerve/muscle function, and mood.
Lower inflammation & better sleep leads to less jaw clenching.

W - Water

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - tension, headaches, electrolyte balance

Dehydration leads to more muscle tension and headaches, which often live in the jaw & temples.
Proper hydration and electrolytes help muscles relax instead of spasm.
A dry, tense body gives you a dry, tense jaw.

E - Exercise

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - nervous system discharge vs overload

The right movement (walking, strength training, mobility) helps burn off stress hormones and calms the nervous system.
Overtraining, chronic HIIT, or late-night intense workouts can jack up cortisol and make grinding worse.
Move to release tension, not to punish yourself. Your jaw will feel the difference.

R - Rest

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - : sleep quality & airway

This is huge.

Poor sleep, mouth breathing, snoring, apnea leads to where the brain keeps “waking”which can lead to bruxism and often shows up as a compensatory response.
Deep, consistent sleep with good sleep hygiene (dark room, no screens late, wind-down routine) reduces the triggers for night grinding
Every hour of deeper sleep is less emergency work for your jaw at night.

P - Protein

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - blood sugar, neurotransmitters, hormonal repair

Balanced protein through the day keeps blood sugar steady, preventing cortisol spikes that ramp up tension.
Protein supplies amino acids for GABA and serotonin, the calming brain chemicals that help muscles relax and promote better sleep.
Supports tissue repair in TMJ, muscles, and teeth themselves.
Stable protein leads to stable blood sugar leads to a calmer brain and quieter jaw.

S - Self-Development

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - emotions, perfectionism, boundaries

This is the “hidden” bruxism pillar.

Jaw clenching often shows up in people pleasing, perfectionists (PPP), and ‘hold-it-all-in’ types.
Unspoken anger, swallowed words, chronic “I’ll just push through” leads to the body expressing what the mouth won’t.
Coaching, journaling, breathwork, inner child work, boundaries, nervous system regulation all lower the emotional pressure that shows up as grinding
Your jaw is often clenching around the words you never say and the boundaries you never set. Whoa, that's kinda big, right?

S - Supplements. - Work with a Qualified Health Professional BEFORE Taking these. These are not "magic bullets" Bullets in the wrong hands are not helpful ,they are harmeful.

FitnHealthy Bruxism link - micronutrient support