Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth Grinding medically called bruxism in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. Most people probably grind and clench their teeth occasionally. Occasional teeth grinding or mild bruxism does not usually cause harm. When teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis, it can lead to jaw disorders, headaches and damaged teeth.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

Teeth grinding usually occurs in sleep, it can be caused by stress and anxiety, but it is more often caused by an abnormal bite or crooked teeth. Sleep disorder such as sleep apnea has been linked to bruxism.

Teeth Problems: This happens if you have teeth that are missing or crooked but mostly due to misalignment of teeth, which is also known as occlusion. Occlusion is a condition when teeth don’t meet when the jaw opens and closes. This could be due to a problem with temporomandibular joint or even the muscles around the jaw.  In any case, you need to consult a dentist who can take X-rays and give you a proper diagnosis.

Anxiety and Stress: When you are stressed, you tend to clench your jaw and grind your teeth throughout the night. This usually results in headache and painful jaws when you wake up.

Other Medical Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, can cause bruxism.

Symptoms of Teething Grinding

Most people are unaware that they grind their teeth because it happens during sleep. One the most common symptoms is a sore jaw when you wake up or a dull headache. If you have these symptoms, consult your dentist.