Teeth grinding (bruxism) is the involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. It generally happens during sleep, but some people experience it when they are awake.
Complications of teeth grinding
Teeth grinding can cause a range of oral health problems, which may include:
- cracked tooth enamel
- excessive wear and tear on the teeth
- broken teeth or restorations
- strain on the joints and soft tissue of the jaw joint
- enlargement of the jaw muscles (rare)
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of teeth grinding include:
- grinding sounds while the person is asleep
- headache, jaw joint or ear pain
- aching (or ‘dancing’) teeth – particularly upon waking
- aching or stiffness of the face and temples upon waking
- aching or stiffness in the jaws while chewing – particularly during breakfast
- clenching the jaw when angry, anxious or concentratingwww.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
- sensitive teeth
- cracked or chipped tooth enamel
- tooth indentations on the tongue
- raised tissue on the cheek caused by cheek biting
- wobbly teeth
Causes
Some of the factors that may trigger grinding include:
- emotional stress, such as anger or anxiety
- mental concentration
- physical effort or stress, such as illness, nutritional deficiency or dehydration
- incorrect tooth alignment
- drug misuse (particularly amphetamines)
- eruption of teeth (babies and children)
What you should do
If you think you may be grinding your teeth, see your oral health professional as soon as possible. They will examine your teeth and may take x-rays to check the severity of the problem and the damage done to teeth and bone. They might also suggest some therapy to assist in removal or reduction in the habit.