Keep a 2 to 4 mm space between your upper and lower teeth at rest to avoid fatiguing your jaw muscles, overloading its joints, and wearing down your teeth.

noli's read

The existence of a slight resting space between the teeth is a well-established physiological fact. According to clinical guidelines and dental health expert consensus, this safety gap generally measures between 1 and 4 mm when the face is relaxed. Observational studies, notably published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, confirm that clenching the teeth continuously during the day fatigues the jaw muscles and overloads its joints. This unconscious tic, often linked to stress, can indeed accelerate tooth wear over the long term. While the 2 to 4 mm measurement remains a general average that may vary from person to person, the principle of the test is excellent. Using this 5-second checkpoint is a simple, validated method for becoming aware of one's tension and relaxing the face.

the sources

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