Do you grind your teeth? Grinding or clenching your teeth (also known as bruxism) happens more often than many people realise. You may be doing it and not even know it!
A Journal of Clinical Medicine study found that approximately 22% of people worldwide grind their teeth – 21% during sleep and 23% while awake. Read on to learn about the causes, effects, and how a dentist can help manage bruxism.
Why you might be grinding your teeth
Bruxism doesn’t have just one cause, and for some people it happens in short bursts, while for others it becomes a regular habit. Common factors include:- Stress and anxiety. This is one of the biggest triggers for bruxism, especially when awake. Jaw clenching often happens subconsciously during moments of pressure, concentration, or emotional strain.
- Sleep-related issues. Conditions such as sleep apnoea, snoring, or disrupted sleep patterns can increase the risk of grinding, particularly at night when you’re unaware it’s happening.
- Jaw alignment or bite issues. If your teeth don’t meet evenly, it can create extra pressure on certain areas of your mouth, leading to unconscious clenching or grinding.
- Medication side effects. Certain medications can increase the likelihood of bruxism as an unwanted side effect.
- Lifestyle factors. High caffeine intake, alcohol use, smoking and excessive gum chewing can all heighten muscle activity in the jaw and make grinding your teeth more likely, especially when combined with stress or poor sleep.
What damage can it do?
Bruxism might not hurt in the moment, but over time, it can cause noticeable problems:- Wearing down enamel, which increases sensitivity and decay risk.
- Cracking or chipping teeth, and damaging fillings or crowns.
- Jaw muscle tension, pain, or stiffness.
- Headaches, especially in the morning.
- Toothache
- In some cases, contributing to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
