You May Be Grinding Your Teeth – Without Even Knowing It

You don’t need to be stressed or angry to grind your teeth. It can happen anytime—even when you’re relaxed or asleep.   

“Teeth grinding is very common,” says Daria Vasilyeva, DDS, PhD, an oral pathologist at the College of Dental Medicine. “It has some serious consequences, and some are irreversible, but it’s certainly manageable.” Addressing teeth grinding early can help prevent dental problems and minimize pain. 

Dr. Vasilyeva is an oral health detective. She helps patients, dentists, and oral surgeons make sense of sores, bumps, rashes, aches, and other issues that can happen in the mouth. She explains how teeth grinding can impact our teeth and jaw and shares tips on how to stop. 

What is teeth grinding? 

Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is when you unintentionally clench or grind your teeth together. It’s a habit that can happen without you realizing you are doing it. Sometimes, it can be loud enough that people nearby can hear your teeth moving against each other.  

Teeth grinding often happens when someone is relaxed or asleep (sleep bruxism), or when they are awake (awake bruxism).   

Who grinds their teeth?  

Anyone can grind their teeth! It affects people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.   

Kids may start grinding their teeth as soon as they get their first teeth. We see it most frequently in adolescents and young adults. 

Why do people grind their teeth? 

Stress and anxiety are big contributing factors; people may also grind their teeth when they’re angry or concentrating. But sometimes there is no clear reason why someone grinds their teeth.   

People with certain lifestyle habits, like smoking, alcohol, and excess caffeine consumption, are more likely to grind their teeth. Some medications, especially certain anti-anxiety medications, make a person more likely to grind. Many people with sleep issues clench and grind, too. We don’t know yet whether sleep disorders cause teeth grinding or if it’s the other way around.   

How do I know if I’m grinding my teeth? 

You might be grinding your teeth if you notice these symptoms:  

• Jaw or face soreness or pain, especially in the morning  
• Pain when chewing, opening your mouth, or talking  
• Dull headaches around the temples  
• Ringing in the ears and earaches  
• Teeth getting flatter, shorter, or chipping 
• Someone physically close to you hears it

Why is it bad to grind your teeth? 

Tooth grinding can cause:

• Tooth damage, including heavy wear, chipping, and breaking  
• Loss of teeth 
• Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)  
• Sleep problems

How do you stop grinding your teeth? 

You can’t always stop yourself from clenching or grinding, especially if you do it in your sleep, but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk:   

• Avoid jaw muscle-heavy activities, like chewing gum or actively clenching during the day 
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress, like stretching exercises or relaxation techniques  
• Avoid triggers like coffee or alcohol, especially before bed
• See a dentist regularly to catch any signs of grinding early
• Visit a sleep medicine doctor to learn if your teeth grinding is linked to a sleep disorder like sleep apnea 

For protection, a dentist may recommend a night guard to cushion teeth and prevent further damage. Some health care providers recommend medication or muscle injections if muscle soreness and headaches become an issue. Physical therapy and gentle face stretches (think of it as yoga for the face) are also helpful ways to reduce pain and tension.