Overview
Bruxism (BRUK-siz-um) is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you're awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism).
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won't open or close completely
- Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it's actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
When to see a doctor
See your dentist or doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above or have other concerns about your teeth or jaw.
If you notice that your child is grinding his or her teeth — or has other signs or symptoms of bruxism — be sure to mention it at your child's next dental appointment.
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Causes
Doctors don't completely understand what causes bruxism, but it may be due to a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors.
- Awake bruxism may be due to emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension. Or it may be a coping strategy or a habit during deep concentration.
- Sleep bruxism may be a sleep-related chewing activity associated with arousals during sleep.
Risk factors
These factors increase your risk of bruxism:
- Stress. Increased anxiety or stress can lead to teeth grinding. So can anger and frustration.
- Age. Bruxism is common in young children, but it usually goes away by adulthood.
- Personality type. Having a personality type that's aggressive, competitive or hyperactive can increase your risk of bruxism.
- Medications and other substances. Bruxism may be an uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications, such as certain antidepressants. Smoking tobacco, drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol, or using recreational drugs may increase the risk of bruxism.
- Family members with bruxism. Sleep bruxism tends to occur in families. If you have bruxism, other members of your family also may have bruxism or a history of it.
- Other disorders. Bruxism can be associated with some mental health and medical disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Complications
In most cases, bruxism doesn't cause serious complications. But severe bruxism may lead to:
- Damage to your teeth, restorations, crowns or jaw
- Tension-type headaches
- Severe facial or jaw pain
- Disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located just in front of your ears, which may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth
Aug. 10, 2017
FAQs
Bruxism is when you clench, grind or gnash your teeth. It usually happens subconsciously, either during waking hours or when you're asleep. Causes include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders and certain medications. Most people who grind their teeth can ease symptoms with a custom mouth guard.
What causes bruxism and grinding teeth? ›
Causes
- Psychosocial factors: Stress, mood, distress, nervousness, and “feeling blue.”
- A person's genes.
- Consuming alcohol or caffeine.
- Smoking.
- Medications: Certain medicines used to treat depression, seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the chances of having bruxism.
Chronic, involuntary teeth grinding – technically called bruxism – can lead to all sorts of health problems. You could crack or fracture your teeth, which may require crowns or dental implants. You could also wear down the enamel on your teeth, leading to periodontal disease or lost teeth.
How do you fix bruxism? ›
These self-care steps may prevent or help treat bruxism:
- Reduce stress. ...
- Avoid stimulating substances in the evening. ...
- Practice good sleep habits. ...
- Talk to your sleep partner. ...
- Schedule regular dental exams.
Many people get confused between bruxism and TMJ disorder. They can be associated and interrelated but they are two very different things. Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a condition which occurs as a result of an individual grinding or clenching their teeth.
What happens if bruxism is left untreated? ›
If bruxism goes untreated, it may lead to jaw muscle and joint problems. These are known as TMJ problems or TMD (temporomandibular disorder). You could even lose your teeth.
Can bruxism go away? ›
However, if bruxism is being caused by a dental problem, it should stop when the teeth are repaired and realigned. Often this occurs within a few dental visits. If your bruxism is related to stress, professional counseling may help. You also can try strategies to help you relax.
Which teeth are most affected by bruxism? ›
The distal corners of the maxillary central and lateral incisors are very common areas where damage from bruxism is noticed.
Can bruxism ruin your face? ›
If left untreated, bruxism can result in TMJ disorders, which can further affect the functionality of your bite and jawline, resulting in a more square or boxy-looking jawline.
Can teeth grinding damage nerves? ›
Teeth grinding
Grinding not only damages the enamel of the tooth, but it can affect deeper levels of the tooth, including the tooth nerve. See a dentist so that they can recommend the best mouthguard to wear during sleep.
As both a neuromuscular and dental disorder, bruxism crosses specialty lines. Physicians (including neurologists) are not typically trained in evaluation of TMD related issues and many dentists lack specialized training (with the exception of treating malocclusion and preventing tooth damage).
What are the stages of bruxism? ›
Patients should be diagnosed in three different stages of bruxism: Mild, Moderate & Severe. Once bruxism severity is determined, the proper thickness of a custom grind guard can be made for the patient.
What does a bruxism headache feel like? ›
What kind of headache does bruxism cause? Tension headaches often result from bruxism and can continue for hours or even days. Tension headaches feel like a steady, dull aching or pressure on both sides of the head.
What neurological disorder causes bruxism? ›
Bruxism can be associated with some mental health and medical disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Is bruxism a medical or dental issue? ›
Unequivocally, bruxism is both a medical and a dental issue. This affliction spans a wide array of possible variants, weaving in genetics, lifestyle, pharmaceutical usage, personality, vitamin deficiency, sleep cycles, and neurological threads.
Where is bruxism pain located? ›
Most often, though, the pain is felt in the jaw muscles, which are achy and tense. Remember, jaw muscles extend throughout the facial area, all the way up to your temples, so jaw pain is often described as face pain. Sometimes people confuse it for sinus pain.
What is the most common cause of bruxism? ›
What causes bruxism? Oral health specialists often point to too much stress and certain personality types as causes of bruxism. Bruxism often affects people with nervous tension, such as anger, pain, or frustration. It also affects people with aggressive, hurried, or overly competitive tendencies.
What is the number one cause of teeth grinding? ›
It usually happens subconsciously, either during waking hours or when you're asleep. Causes include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders and certain medications. Most people who grind their teeth can ease symptoms with a custom mouth guard.
What is the difference between teeth grinding and bruxism? ›
Clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is a common activity that can occur both during the day and at night. Some prefer to split these concepts into separate behaviors while others group them together. Grinding or bruxism involves moving the jaw with the teeth held together.
How did I cured my daytime bruxism? ›
The most successful and proven bruxism cure is to invest in a bruxism mouthguard. We'll cover that more in a minute. But others believe that it can also be cured by finding ways to relieve the pent-up stress by way of exerting more energy. That includes exercise, yoga, meditation, and so forth.
