Bruxism (Tooth Grinding)

Overview

Bruxism refers to habits like teeth grinding, clenching, and jaw thrusting (moving the lower jaw forward or side-to-side). It often occurs without a person even realizing it, whether they are awake or asleep. Bruxism is more common in women compared to men. Children as well as adults can have this condition.

Many cases of bruxism are mild and may not require treatment. However, severe bruxism can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain or tiredness, and headache. Because it is possible to grind your teeth in your sleep — or be otherwise unaware that bruxism is occurring — it is important to know the signs and symptoms and receive regular dental care.

Signs and Symptoms

Bruxism signs and symptoms vary widely. They can affect the teeth, jaw, head, and face.

Teeth symptoms:

• Flattened, chipped, cracked, or loose teeth
• Worn tooth enamel, exposing the inner layers of the tooth
• Tooth pain or sensitivity

Jaw symptoms:

• Soreness in the jaw muscles
• Tightness in the jaw
• Tired jaw muscles

Head and face symptoms:

• Headache
• Facial pain
• Jaw or ear pain

Related Health Effects

Mild or occasional bruxism is not a health problem on its own, but it should be monitored. If left untreated, frequent and severe bruxism can lead to:

• Chronic jaw pain
• Headaches
• Disrupted sleep
• Dental problems, such as tooth pain, enamel cracks, and damage to teeth or restorations

If you have sleep apnea, bruxism can help keep the airway open during sleep. However, over time this can lead to other health issues such as jaw pain and headache.

Causes and Risk Factors

Bruxism is believed to have multiple causes, though it is not fully understood. Several factors appear to have a role in the development of the condition:

• Psychosocial factors: Stress, mood, distress, nervousness, and “feeling blue”
• Genetics: Bruxism runs in families; if a close family member grinds or clenches their teeth, a person may be more likely to experience it
• Health Behaviors: Tobacco, alcohol, and heavy caffeine consumption
• Medicines: Certain medicines used to treat depression, seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the chances of bruxism.

Prevention Guidance

Bruxism cannot be fully prevented, but early detection can help reduce symptoms and related health effects. The following self-care steps may help reduce symptoms:

• Visit your dentist regularly to give your dentist an opportunity to spot early signs of bruxism.
• Avoid heavy caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use. If you do use these substances, try to avoid evening use.
• Get enough sleep and keep a regular sleep schedule.

Diagnosis

A dentist or healthcare provider may use several approaches to diagnose bruxism.

Medical History

A dentist asks questions about symptoms such as jaw muscle pain or tiredness, when these occur, and any stressors. He or she may also ask if a sleeping partner has noticed teeth grinding at night.

Physical Exam

A dentist inspects the teeth or dental fillings for damage and wear and checks the jaw and face for pain or tenderness.

Polysomnography (Sleep Study)

A sleep study detects sleep-related disorders and assesses whether teeth grinding or clenching occurs during sleep. As a person sleeps, sensors monitor bodily functions including brain activity, heart rate, and breathing. The test may include audio and video recordings and is usually done in a sleep center.

Treatment and Management

A dentist or healthcare provider can recommend treatment options for bruxism. Here are some possible treatments to discuss with your healthcare provider:

Behavior Change

Change the resting mouth and jaw position to reduce clenching and grinding. Set reminders, such as written notes or a timer on your cell phone, to keep your teeth apart if you grind or clench during the day. Increasing awareness can help reduce clenching and grinding habits.

Stress Management

Reducing stress-related responses may decrease bruxism. Relaxation techniques are one part of self-care management for jaw-related conditions.

Mouth Guards (Intraoral Appliances)

A dentist may provide a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage. Mouth guards separate the teeth, prevent tooth damage, and may reduce muscle activity due to grinding and clenching.

Dental Treatment

Teeth that have been chipped or worn away may need repair. Crowns or other procedures may be needed. Your dentist may also help you manage symptoms of tooth pain or sensitivity.

Referrals

If needed, a dentist can refer a person to specialists in stress management, physical therapy, or sleep medicine. A sleep study may also be recommended to confirm sleep-related bruxism or identify conditions like sleep apnea.

Living With Bruxism

Several strategies may help people manage bruxism in daily life:

• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Try relaxing activities like yoga or meditation; counseling may also help with stress reduction.
• Avoid heavy caffeine and alcohol use.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco products.
• Set reminders to keep your teeth apart if you grind or clench during the day.
• Get enough sleep and keep a regular sleep schedule.
• Try exercises and stretches for your neck and jaw to ease tension and reduce clenching. A physical therapist or a specialist in jaw and neck issues can teach you how to do these exercises safely and effectively.

Find Clinical Trials

Clinical trials uncover better ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and understand diseases and conditions. To ensure results apply to everyone, volunteers of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds, including both healthy individuals and those with specific medical conditions, are needed. Find clinical trials on Bruxism.

Find Treatment

If you think you may have bruxism, start by talking to your dentist. Dentists can check for signs of bruxism, such as tooth wear and jaw muscle tenderness, and recommend treatment. If needed, they can refer you to specialists in stress management, physical therapy, or sleep medicine.

Research Information

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world. NIH invests most of its budget in medical research seeking to enhance life and to reduce illness and disability. NIH-funded research has led to breakthroughs and new treatments helping people live longer, healthier lives, and building the research foundation that drives discovery.  

NIH supports research on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of bruxism.

Find NIH-funded research projects using NIH RePORTER, a searchable database of current and past research projects supported by NIH and other federal agencies.