Bruxism is the dental name for grinding or clenching the teeth when you are not chewing food. Many people do it in their sleep without knowing, and learn about it from a partner or from the wear a dentist sees on their teeth.
Grinding at night, clenching by day
Sleep bruxism is grinding or clenching during sleep. Awake bruxism is mostly clenching or pressing the teeth together during the day, often while concentrating or under stress. Many people have both.
What causes teeth grinding?
The causes vary from person to person. Stress, sleep habits and some sleep problems can play a part. There is often no single cause, so your dentist talks through your situation during the examination rather than assuming one reason.
If you also snore loudly or a partner notices pauses in your breathing, mention it. Snoring and sleep apnea are assessed by a physician, and your dentist can explain the next steps.
Signs of teeth grinding
- Someone has heard you grinding your teeth at night.
- Your jaw, temples or cheeks feel tired or achy when you wake up.
- Your teeth look worn, flat, chipped or shorter than before.
- Fillings or crowns keep chipping or breaking.
- Some teeth feel sensitive to cold where the enamel has worn.
What grinding does to teeth and jaw muscles
Grinding forces are stronger than normal chewing and repeat night after night. Over time they can wear the biting surfaces flat, chip edges or crack teeth, break fillings and crowns, and leave the jaw muscles tired or sore.
How a dentist checks and treats it
- Examination: your dentist checks the wear on your teeth, your jaw muscles and joints, and takes X-rays when needed.
- A night guard or occlusal splint: a custom appliance, usually worn at night, that covers the biting surfaces, protects the teeth and lets the jaw muscles rest.
- Daytime habit awareness: noticing when you clench and keeping your teeth slightly apart with relaxed jaw muscles.
- Repairing worn or broken teeth once they are protected, with fillings, onlays or crowns.
A splint usually needs at least three visits: the examination, a scan or impressions, and fitting about a week later, followed by an adjustment after you have worn it for several days.