Do you often find that you’re clenching your jaw or rubbing your teeth together? Do you tend to wake up with a sore jaw, ear pain, or headache? If so, you may have a condition called bruxism. That’s the medical term for clenching your jaw or teeth or grinding your teeth.
Mild or occasional tooth grinding or clenching may not cause problems. But frequent or severe bruxism can lead to jaw pain, fatigue, and headaches. It can damage your teeth and make them crack, loosen, or even fall out.
Bruxism is more common in children than adults. Many people with bruxism don’t realize they have it, especially if it occurs during sleep.
The causes of bruxism are not fully understood. But the condition has been linked to stress, depression, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, certain medications, and other factors.
If you think you may be grinding or clenching your teeth, talk to a health care provider. They might suggest ways to reduce stress, relieve depression, or improve sleep. They can also suggest how to protect your teeth and break the habit of tooth grinding.
Visit your dentist regularly. They can check for signs of bruxism, such as tooth wear and jaw muscle tenderness.
If you care about tooth health, please read studies about an important causes of tooth decay and gum disease, and common tooth disease that may increase risks of dementia.
For more health information, please see recent studies about mouthwash that may increase your tooth damage, and results showing this diet could help treat gum disease.
Source: NIH.
