Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding is when you rub or clench your top and bottom teeth against each other, often without realising it. 

What is bruxism? {#overview}

What causes bruxism?

Treating bruxism

Symptoms of bruxism {#symptoms}

When to see a doctor or dentist

Causes of bruxism {#causes}

Treatment for bruxism {#treatment}

## What is bruxism? {#overview}
Bruxism is a medical term that describes the act of grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw.

Sometimes, people grind their teeth without it causing any symptoms or problems. However, regular and persistent teeth grinding can cause pain and discomfort in your jaw and it can wear down your teeth.

Teeth grinding can also cause [headaches](/health-library/conditions/headache) and [earache](/health-library/symptoms/earache).

Read more about the [symptoms of bruxism](/health-library/conditions/teeth-grinding/#symptoms).

Most cases of teeth grinding (nearly 80%) occur subconsciously during sleep. It is usually associated with contributing factors, such as \[stress or anxiety] (see below).

Bruxism also affects people when they are awake, although this is more likely to be clenching the teeth and jaw, rather than grinding. Most people do it subconsciously while they are concentrating.

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## What causes bruxism?

Bruxism almost always occurs in association with other factors. About 70% of bruxism cases that occur during sleep are thought be related to stress and anxiety.

There is also a strong association between bruxism and [obstructive sleep apnoea](/health-library/conditions/sleep-apnoea) (OSA). OSA is a sleep disorder where your breathing is interrupted during your sleep.

Teeth grinding can also be caused by taking certain antidepressants. Your lifestyle can also have an effect. For example, regularly drinking alcohol, smoking and using recreational drugs, such as ecstasy and cocaine, increase your risk of bruxism.

Doctors sometimes refer to teeth grinding that is caused by an underlying condition as "primary bruxism" and teeth grinding associated with a medication, condition or your lifestyle as "secondary bruxism".

Read more about the [causes of bruxism](/health-library/conditions/teeth-grinding/#causes).

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## Treating bruxism

There are a number of possible treatments for teeth grinding but only a few have been shown to be effective.

Behavioural therapies and the use of mouth guards, mouth splints and mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are recommended treatments for bruxism.

Other treatments, such as muscle-relaxation exercises and sleep hygiene, may also help manage your symptoms.

If you grind your teeth while you are asleep, you may need to wear a mouth guard, mouth splint or a MAD at night to protect your teeth from further damage.

If you have an anxiety or stress-related problem, a course of [cognitive behavioural therapy](/health-library/treatments/cognitive-behavioural-therapy) (CBT) may be recommended. CBT aims to manage your problems by changing how you think and act.

It may be possible to break the habit of teeth grinding using habit-reversal techniques.

Making some simple lifestyle changes, such as giving up smoking(if you smoke), reducing your alcohol consumption and \[managing stress] may also help.

Read more about [treating bruxism](/health-library/conditions/teeth-grinding/#treatment).




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## Symptoms of bruxism {#symptoms}
Teeth grinding (bruxism) can cause different symptoms including facial pain, headaches and abnormal tooth wear.

Some of the symptoms of bruxism, such as facial pain, will often disappear when you stop grinding your teeth. Others, such as tooth damage, can be permanent.

Possible symptoms of teeth grinding include:

-   [headaches](/health-library/conditions/headache)
-   facial muscle pain (facial myalgia)
-   [earache](/health-library/symptoms/earache)
-   tightness and stiffness in the shoulders
-   pain and stiffness in the jaw joint (known as the temporomandibular joint)
-   sleep disruption (both to you and your partner)

Symptoms that affect the mouth include:

-   worn teeth, which can result in short teeth, increased tooth sensitivity and, possibly, the loss of your teeth
-   gum inflammation or receding gums
-   loose or sensitive teeth
-   difficulty opening your mouth

It is important to note that tooth wear only occurs in severe cases of bruxism, and not everyone who grinds their teeth will have tooth wear.

If your teeth become worn through grinding, you may need dental treatment to avoid developing further problems such as infection or a [dental abscess](/health-library/conditions/dental-abscess).

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## When to see a doctor or dentist

You should see your dentist if:

-   Your teeth are worn, damaged or sensitive.
-   You have pain in your jaw, face or ear.
-   Others complain that you make a grinding sound in your sleep.

Talk to your dentist if you think you are grinding your teeth. They will check your teeth and jaw for signs of bruxism, help you work out the possible causes and suggest appropriate treatment.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you grind your teeth and you have high stress levels or [anxiety](/health-library/conditions/anxiety) problems. They will be able to recommend treatment to help manage your stress, which may alleviate your teeth grinding symptoms.

Read more about [treating bruxism](/health-library/conditions/teeth-grinding/#treatment).


## Causes of bruxism {#causes}
The causes of teeth grinding (bruxism) are not always known, but it is usually linked to other factors, such as stress and anxiety or sleep problems.

### Stress and anxiety

Teeth grinding is often associated with mental or psychological problems, such as stress and [anxiety](/health-library/conditions/anxiety).

Studies have shown that almost 70% of sleep bruxism cases are a result of stress or anxiety that affects people subconsciously while they are asleep.

High levels of work-related stress can have a significant adverse affect on your sleep, and trigger episodes of sleep bruxism.

Being stressed or anxious may also cause you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth.

Sometimes, bruxism can be caused by taking certain [antidepressants](/health-library/treatments/antidepressant-drugs) that are used to treat [depression](/health-library/conditions/depression) and anxiety (see below).

### Sleep disorders

Studies have shown that people who snore or have a sleep disorder, such as [obstructive sleep apnoea](/health-library/conditions/sleep-apnoea) (OSA), are more likely to grind their teeth while they are asleep. OSA causes your breathing to be interrupted while you sleep.

You're also more likely to grind your teeth if you are:

-   talking or mumbling during sleep
-   behaving violently during sleep, such as kicking out or punching
-   [sleep paralysis](/health-library/conditions/sleep-paralysis): a temporary inability to move or speak while waking up or falling asleep
-   experiencing [hallucinations](/health-library/symptoms/hallucinations) (seeing or hearing things that are not real) while you are semi-conscious

### Medication

Bruxism can sometimes occur as a side effect of taking certain types of medication. These include some psychotropic drugs (medicines that affect your mood), such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Bruxism may be linked to a type of \[antidepressant] and \[setraline].

### Lifestyle

Certain lifestyle factors can also increase your chances of developing bruxism. These include:

-   drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
-   smoking
-   using \[recreational drugs], such as ecstasy and cocaine
-   drinking caffeinated drinks, such as tea or coffee (six or more cups a day)

### Teeth grinding in children

Some estimates suggest that 15%-33% of children grind their teeth regularly.

It usually occurs after they develop their first teeth and again after they develop their permanent teeth. The habit usually stops after the adult teeth are fully formed.

After teething, a child may grind their teeth for the same reasons that adults do. For example, it may occur at stressful times, such as during school exams.


## Treatment for bruxism {#treatment}
Behavioural therapies and using mouth guards, mouth splints or mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are recommended treatments for bruxism.

Other treatments, such as muscle-relaxation exercises and sleep hygiene measures, may also help you to manage your symptoms.

### Mouth guards, splints and MADs

You may need to wear a mouth guard or a mouth splint at night. These devices prevent tooth movement by evening out the pressure in your mouth.

A mouth guard or splint also creates a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth to protect them from further damage. They also help reduce any grinding noises that you make at night.

Mouth guards are similar in appearance to those used in sports such as boxing. They are usually made out of bendy rubber or plastic and can be made by your dentist to fit your mouth. You will usually have to pay for this type of custom-made dental appliance.

Mouth guards are also available to buy from your local pharmacist. However, it is unlikely to fit as well as one that is made by your dentist.

A mouth splint (also known as an occlusal splint or bite plate) is made from harder plastic and fits precisely over your upper or lower teeth. A splint will usually be more expensive than a mouth guard.

Mouth guards and mouth splints may help reduce muscle activity in your jaw at night. However, they will only be able to control the condition, not cure it.

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are usually used to help manage sleep problems, such as [obstructive sleep apnoea](/health-library/conditions/sleep-apnoea) (OSA) and snoring. Research has shown that they can also be effective for treating sleep bruxism.

The device consists of two mouth guards (one for the top teeth and one for the bottom teeth) that are welded together. It is worn in your mouth at night and holds your bottom jaw forward and closed while you are asleep.

MADs have been shown to significantly reduce the amount of bruxism activity when worn at night. However, they may be more painful to wear than mouth guards or splints.

### Treating the underlying cause

Psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), can be used to treat any underlying psychological problems, such as stress and [anxiety](/health-library/conditions/anxiety), that may be causing you to grind your teeth.

CBT aims to help you manage your problems by changing how you think and act. A specially trained therapist will encourage you to talk about how you think about yourself, the world and other people, and how your actions affect your thoughts and feelings.

Read more about [CBT](/health-library/treatments/cognitive-behavioural-therapy) and [treating anxiety](/health-library/conditions/anxiety).

If your bruxism is stress-related, it is important that you try to relax and get a good night’s sleep. There are a number of things you can do to help you wind down before you go to bed. These include:

-   yoga
-   deep breathing
-   massage
-   reading
-   having a bath
-   listening to music

Different things will work for different people. Your doctor will also be able to recommend some additional stress management techniques.

### Breaking the habit

Habit-reversal techniques are designed to break your teeth-grinding habit.

If you grind your teeth while awake, you could record the number of times you grind your teeth each day. You can then work out when you are more likely to do it and why; for example, when you are concentrating or stressed.

Being more aware of your habit will make it easier for you to break. To break the habit you could train yourself to relax your jaw when you feel yourself grinding or clenching. For example, you could open your jaw slightly or gently place your tongue between your upper and lower teeth.

There is no scientific evidence that using habit-reversal techniques will cure your bruxism.

Habit-reversal techniques may be used by a specially trained therapist, or you can try them yourself using a computer programme or self-help book. Your doctor will be able to advise you.

### Treating and preventing dental problems

It is important that you have regular dental check-ups and that any problems caused by your teeth grinding are treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

For example, if your grinding leads to a cracked tooth which is left untreated, the nerve in your tooth can die and a [dental abscess](/health-library/conditions/dental-abscess) could develop. If this is the case, you may need to have [root canal treatment](/health-library/treatments/root-canal-treatment).

In severe cases, your tooth could actually split in two. If this happens, your dentist will not be able to save the tooth and it will need to be taken out.

Dental problems, such as misaligned, cracked, crooked or missing teeth can usually be treated with reconstructive dental treatments, such as false teeth, overlays and crowns. These treatments can sometimes reshape the chewing surface of your teeth and stop you from grinding.

You will usually have to pay for this type of dental treatment and it can often be expensive.

### Medication

Medication is not usually used to treat bruxism. However, [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs](/health-library/drugs/anti-inflammatories-non-steroidal) (NSAIDs), such as [ibuprofen](/health-library/drugs/painkillers-ibuprofen), may help relieve any pain or inflammation you have around your jaw as a result of grinding your teeth.

In some cases, your doctor may suggest taking a muscle relaxant before you go to bed to help relieve your symptoms.

If you develop bruxism as a side effect of [antidepressant medication](/health-library/treatments/antidepressant-drugs), your doctor may suggest changing your medication. Never stop taking medication that has been prescribed for you without first consulting your doctor.



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Article information

Bruxism is the medical term for the habit of grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw