Teeth grinding and clenching are common habits, but that doesn’t mean they are harmless. Stresses from the powerful forces generated by grinding and clenching (also known as “bruxing”) can wear down teeth or even loosen them. Teeth that have enamel worn away or scraped off from this repeated rubbing action may become sensitive to hot or cold. And dental work such as crowns and fillings may get damaged. Bruxism can also lead to jaw pain and/or headaches.
Even if you have experienced some of these signs and symptoms, you may not realize you are a bruxer — particularly if your habit is nocturnal, as is often the case. Yet the evidence of tooth damage may become obvious during your regular checkup and cleaning. Dentists can also help you break the habit, relieve any pain you are experiencing, and repair any damage to your teeth or dental work.
Why do we grind or clench our teeth?
The most common reason for grinding/clenching habits is stress, which can affect our health in various ways. Some people experience stomach pain or skin breakouts; bruxing is yet another manifestation. Sometimes people grind their teeth because of misaligned teeth or other bite problems. Using stimulating substances such as caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs can also put you at risk. Additionally, teeth grinding is believed to be an uncommon side effect of certain medications.
What can be done?
Sometimes simply becoming aware of the habit can help you to get it under control. If stress is the issue, try to find healthy ways of managing it: exercise, meditation, listening to relaxing music, or a warm bath may help. Your teeth will be monitored over time at the dental office to make sure the problem is not worsening.
If damage to your teeth or existing dental work is evident, we may recommend a custom-made nightguard, also known as an “occlusal guard,” may be recommended. It resembles an athletic mouthguard. Made of comfortable plastic, the guard is worn at night to keep your teeth from actually contacting each other. It also helps protect your jaw joints from excessive force.
If a bite problem exists where some teeth are hitting before the others (all of your teeth should hit at the same time), it can sometimes be treated by removing a tiny bit of enamel from an individual tooth that is sticking up a bit (and therefore receiving too much force) to bring it in line with the others. This is known as a bite adjustment. If your malocclusion (bad bite) is more serious, orthodontics might be recommended. Replacing any teeth that are missing can also help stabilize your bite by inhibiting the shifting of teeth that occurs when extra space is left open by missing teeth.
A word about kids: Teeth grinding is very common in children, especially when they are shedding their baby teeth. Since they often outgrow it, treatment is not usually recommended.
Related Articles
Stress & Tooth Habits Teeth grinding and/or clenching habits are particularly common in people who are undergoing stressful periods or major life changes. These usually unconscious habits can result in jaw muscles going into spasm, teeth wearing down, and other problems. Treatment is usually aimed at relieving the symptoms and stopping damage… Read Article
How & Why Teeth Wear Are teeth supposed to last for a lifetime? And are humans designed to live for up to a hundred years? Given all the current improvements in the areas of medicine and health, both general and oral, people are not only living longer, but they are also keeping their teeth longer. This article will provide an overview of the “oral system” and one of its more common and important occurrences, tooth wear… Read Article
When Children Grind Their Teeth Many children grind their teeth as they sleep, and the grating sounds of this habit can really set a parent’s own teeth on edge. But is tooth grinding (also called “bruxism”) harmful? And can — or should — anything be done to break the habit? Dear Doctor magazine shines a light on this unsettling nocturnal behavior… Read Article