Bruxism is the medical term for grinding, clenching or gnashing your teeth. It can occur during the day, during sleep or both.

Occasional or mild bruxism may not require treatment. But when grinding or clenching is frequent or forceful, it can contribute to worn or damaged teeth, tooth sensitivity, jaw discomfort, facial pain and headaches. A dental examination can help determine whether bruxism may be affecting your teeth and what can be done to protect them.

What Causes Bruxism?

Bruxism does not always have one identifiable cause. Several factors may contribute, and the factors associated with daytime clenching may be different from those involved in sleep bruxism.

Factors associated with bruxism can include:

• Stress, tension or anxiety

• Sleep-related factors

• Caffeine, alcohol or tobacco use

• Certain medications

• Individual or family susceptibility to grinding and clenching

Because tooth wear and jaw discomfort can have more than one cause, it is important not to assume that every worn tooth or sore jaw is the result of bruxism.

How Can I Tell If I Grind My Teeth at Night?

Sleep bruxism can be difficult to recognize because you may have no idea you’re grinding or clenching while you sleep. Sometimes a spouse or partner notices the sound first.

Other clues may include waking with jaw tightness or soreness, noticing increased tooth sensitivity, experiencing recurring morning headaches, or seeing changes in the surfaces of your teeth. During a dental examination, Dr. Chin can look for patterns of wear, damaged restorations and areas of tenderness that may be consistent with grinding or clenching.

Can Bruxism Damage Your Teeth?

Frequent or severe grinding can place considerable force on your teeth. Over time, this may contribute to worn enamel, flattened biting surfaces, chipped or cracked teeth, tooth sensitivity, and damage to existing fillings, crowns or other restorations.

Bruxism can also be associated with tired or painful jaw muscles and discomfort involving the face or jaw. The amount of damage varies considerably from person to person, which is why treatment should be based on what is actually happening in your mouth.

How Is Bruxism Diagnosed?

Dr. Chin can examine your teeth, dental restorations, jaw muscles and bite for signs that may be associated with grinding or clenching. She may also ask about jaw discomfort, headaches, daytime clenching, stress, sleep habits and whether anyone has heard you grinding your teeth during sleep.

The goal is not simply to identify worn teeth, but to understand why the wear or discomfort is occurring so the appropriate treatment can be considered.

Treatment Options for Bruxism

Bruxism treatment depends on your symptoms, when the grinding or clenching occurs and whether your teeth have already been damaged. Mild cases may simply need to be monitored, while other patients may benefit from treatment.

Custom Night Guards

A custom dental night guard may be recommended to create a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth while you sleep. A night guard does not necessarily stop the underlying grinding behavior, but it can help protect teeth from the damaging forces of grinding and clenching.

Daytime Habit Awareness

If you clench or grind while awake, becoming more aware of the habit can help. Learning to keep your teeth apart when you’re not chewing and relaxing the jaw muscles may reduce unnecessary clenching during the day.

Stress Management

When stress or tension appears to contribute to grinding or clenching, relaxation techniques and stress-management strategies may be helpful as part of an overall approach.

Repairing Teeth Damaged by Grinding

If bruxism has already chipped, cracked or significantly worn teeth, restorative dental treatment may sometimes be needed. The appropriate treatment depends on the amount and location of the damage. Protecting the teeth from continued grinding is an important consideration before or along with restorative treatment.

When Should You See a Dentist About Teeth Grinding?

Consider having your teeth evaluated if you notice increasing tooth wear, unexplained chips or cracks, tooth sensitivity, recurring jaw soreness, headaches associated with jaw tension, or if someone regularly hears you grinding your teeth while you sleep.

Early evaluation can help identify whether your teeth are being damaged and whether a protective or behavioral approach may be appropriate.

Bruxism Treatment at Cedar Hills Dental Care

At Cedar Hills Dental Care, the first step is understanding what is happening to your teeth and jaw rather than assuming every patient needs the same treatment.

Christine Chin, DMD earned her D.M.D. from OHSU in 1989 and has more than 35 years of dental experience. She can evaluate signs of grinding and clenching, discuss your symptoms and determine whether a custom night guard or another approach may be appropriate.

Cedar Hills Dental Care has served more than 10,000 smiles since 1986, providing comfortable, patient-centered dental care for Beaverton, Cedar Hills and the surrounding Portland area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a night guard stop teeth grinding?

A night guard is primarily used to protect the teeth from the forces of grinding and clenching. It may help some patients with muscle activity or discomfort, but it does not necessarily eliminate the underlying bruxism.

Can stress cause teeth grinding?

Stress, tension and anxiety are among the factors associated with bruxism, particularly daytime clenching. Bruxism can have multiple contributing factors, however, so stress should not automatically be assumed to be the only cause.

Can bruxism crack or wear down teeth?

Frequent or forceful grinding can contribute to worn enamel, flattened tooth surfaces, chips, cracks, sensitivity and damage to dental restorations. A dental examination can help determine whether grinding may be contributing to the damage.

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