Teeth Grinding and Clenching

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 and even loosen them. When enamel is worn away by this repeated rubbing action, teeth may become sensitive to hot or cold. Dental work such as crowns and fillings may also be damaged. In addition, bruxism can lead to jaw pain and/or headaches.

Even if you have experienced some of these symptoms, you may not realize you are a bruxer — particularly if the behavior occurs at night, as is often the case. Yet the evidence of tooth damage may become obvious during your regular dental checkup and cleaning. Your dentist can help you break the habit, relieve any pain you are experiencing, and repair 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 a person's health in various ways; while some may experience stomach pain or skin breakouts, others start bruxing. Using stimulating substances such as caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs can also lead to bruxism. In some cases, people grind their teeth because of misaligned teeth or other bite problems. Additionally, teeth grinding may 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 dentist will monitor your teeth over time to make sure the problem is not worsening.

If damage to your teeth or existing dental work is evident, a custom-made nightguard, also known as an “occlusal guard,” may be recommended. Similar to an athletic mouthguard, it is made of comfortable plastic and 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, 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. If you have missing teeth, replacing them can also help stabilize your bite.

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.