Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Bruxism is the medical term for excessive tooth grinding and/or jaw clenching. Because our jaw muscles can produce hundreds of pounds of force, continuous grinding and clenching can cause significant damage to teeth and jaws without dental intervention.

What Is Bruxism?

Unconscious grinding or clenching during waking hours is referred to as “awake bruxism.” Awake bruxing frequently occurs during times of focused concentration, stress, frustration, or anxiety. Simply being aware of clenching and grinding is often all that’s necessary to stop. Further possible treatments include jaw relaxation and stress-reduction techniques, mouthguards, and medication.

More commonly, bruxism takes place while sleeping. Because sleeping bruxers are unaware that repetitive grinding or clenching is taking place, sleep bruxism may lead to serious dental complications over time.

How Bruxism Affects Your Teeth and Jaw

Bruxism can cause fractured and chipped teeth, worn tooth surfaces, and loss of enamel. Major damage might require a dental crown treatment or even a tooth extraction procedure. Bruxing pressure can crack veneers, fillings, and crowns, and is also linked to complications in dental implant treatments.

Persistent bruxing can injure the temporomandibular joint (TMJ treatment), the complex joint that allows us to move our jaws in all directions.

Common Causes of Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism has been linked to a variety of possible triggers, including:

• Stress and anxiety (learn more about stress and oral habits<)
• Personality type
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol and caffeine consumption
• Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
• Problems with bite or tooth alignment
• Certain medications and medical conditions
• A hereditary tendency in families

Can Bruxism Be Treated?

While there is no cure for sleep bruxism, your dentist can help you manage the condition. Relaxation techniques, lifestyle adjustments, medication, sleep disorder treatment, and dental or medical care can help address the triggers for your bruxism.

You can also prevent further damage to your teeth and jaws with the use of a custom-fabricated nightguard. Nightguards fit over the teeth, preventing tooth injuries caused by grinding and reducing stress on your jaw.

Your dental team will take an impression of your teeth, and a dental lab will create an appliance tailored to your specific needs. Because these nightguards are custom-fitted by your dentist, they are more effective, more comfortable, and more durable than over-the-counter options. You can also explore more about protective devices in our guide on mouthguards for teeth grinding.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

There are symptoms that may indicate that you’re sleep bruxing before serious dental damage appears. These include:

Early Warning Signs

• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Enamel that appears flattened or worn
• Chipped or cracked teeth and cusps
• Loose teeth

Advanced Symptoms

• Frequent headaches or facial pain
• A sore jaw or clicking and popping noises when you move your jaw
• Earaches or ringing in your ears
• Waking up with tongue, mouth, or cheek injuries
• Fatigue due to sleep disruption
• Being overheard grinding your teeth

If you have any of these symptoms and suspect you might be grinding or clenching your teeth, consult your dentist right away. Prompt treatment can help maintain and protect your dental health.

Night Guards for Bruxism Protection

Many people are affected by bruxism or teeth grinding. Some may do this consciously during the day, but it is a bigger problem at night while you are asleep. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums. The noise from teeth grinding can also disturb your partner’s sleep if loud enough.

How Night Guards Help

If you grind your teeth, you should consider a night guard. The night guard, which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes, provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep.

All night guards are custom-fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing. Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth, and the night guard will be created by a dental lab. Night guards are very durable and can be used for up to 10 years.

Tips to Stop Teeth Grinding Naturally

There are also some things that you can do to try to stop teeth grinding:

• Train your jaw to stay relaxed rather than clenched
• Avoid chewing gum or non-food items like pens
• Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
• Manage stress effectively

If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night, schedule an appointment with our dental team today.