Bruxism: what it is, how to fix it and ways to stop grinding your teeth
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the technical word for teeth grinding, gnashing or clenching your teeth. It can happen while awake, or while you're asleep and is commonly associated with fear or stress, even if the person isn’t responding to immediate emotions.
The reality is that several reasons can lead to bruxism, all of which we're going to explore here. You'll finish the article with recommended ways to prevent wearing down your teeth if you're experiencing the effects of teeth grinding.
Key takeaways to help you avoid complications from teeth grinding
- Myofascial massage, muscle relaxation and mouth exercises can reduce or ease symptoms of tenderness and help you to relax your jaw before bed.
- If your clenched and grinding teeth are caused by chronic stress or anxiety disorders, it's important to eliminate or reduce stressors and try to avoid triggers where possible.
- Mouth guards and dental splints are great preventive options for the side effects of grinding your teeth. If you are struggling with bruxism, talk to your dentist about support to ease the effects of wear on your teeth with a night splint.
What are the symptoms of bruxism?
If you've ever woken up with a sore jaw and sensitive teeth, you might be one of the 8-10%* of the population that has bruxism.
Symptoms of bruxism can range from:
- Reoccurring headaches
- Pain and stiffness
- Toothache
- Jaw ache
- Attritions, or wear on your teeth
With continued grinding, the pain will start to affect your teeth until it becomes painful, eroded and in some cases, fragile to movement like chewing your food.
Mild cases may not require treatment, but for those who frequently clench and apply too much stress to their teeth, other problems may develop. If this is happening at night whilst you sleep, you might not realise it until you start to have complications. So, it's crucial to know the signs and understand the symptoms.
Types of bruxism
There are two classifications for bruxism: primary or secondary. Primary bruxism is not related to underlying medical or dental conditions. In contrast, secondary bruxism relates to teeth grinding that occurs due to medications or medical conditions. Both primary and secondary bruxism can be experienced while asleep or awake.
If you suffer from awake bruxism, you might become aware of your jaw clenching, or the action could be semi-voluntary. Dentists and doctors sometimes correlate the clenching to high levels of stress. This form is relatively common and affects roughly a fifth of all adults. In this form, clenching can gradually become worse throughout the day.
Effects of clenched teeth on bruxism at night
The effects of day clenching can increase your risk of excessive teeth grinding at night. People with this issue aren't usually aware of the risk factors associated with the condition. Detection is often missed until the teeth have been damaged or symptoms have appeared. The consequences of grinding your teeth at night with sleep bruxism are worse in the morning, right after waking up, although the effects may decrease throughout the day.
What causes bruxism?
Although bruxism is often related to stress or anxiety, other causes can lead to suffering from this condition. Let's take a look at some of the key findings from the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research* on the causes of bruxism and how to diagnose it.
How to prevent teeth grinding
The methods to prevent your teeth from grinding are not a one-size-fits-all all approach. As each case is different you should seek help from a professional to understand your situation, although you can begin by incorporating common healthy habits in your daily life. In general terms, there are a few steps you can take to help reduce your symptoms. They are:
- Managing symptoms of stress
- Avoiding caffeinated drinks before bed
- Practising good sleep habits
- Scheduling regular dental exams
- Learning some relaxation techniques
Treatment options for teeth grinding
- The most common treatment is the use of occlusal splints, also known as bite guards. These are used to treat jaw problems and disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Another option is using whitening splints that will inevitably protect your tooth enamel as well as reduce the impact from jaw clenching whilst you brighten up your smile.
- Other types of splints include mandibular advancement devices (MAD), which work by stabilising the mouth and jaw in a specific position to prevent the clenching and grinding from happening.
If you want to know more about the range of orthodontic treatments offered at Impress clinics, why not find your nearest Impress to book a free orthodontic consultation, or follow us on Instagram for more info on our smile transformations.
*National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/bruxism
Updated: May 2025
Frequently asked questions about Bruxism
How long does the pain from grinding teeth last?
Grinding pain can be chronic or acute, depending on how long you grind your teeth. If you experience pain in the morning due to stressed jaw muscles, the severity will decline throughout the day, but you may still experience dull pain at all times. However, you can take preventive measures to decrease the damage done to your teeth from grinding them.
Can bruxism be cured?
At the moment, there is no cure for this condition. However, we can take actions to reduce the frequency with which you grind and clench your jawbones and minimise jaw pain.
Can grinding your teeth cause headaches?
Yes. In addition to wearing out your jawbones and causing tooth harm, severe symptoms of excessive grinding can include headaches.
Can bruxism cause nerve damage?
Yes, it affects facial bones, muscles and nerves but especially the teeth, so in a case where there is too much pressure on a tooth, the nerves can become irritated.
Does magnesium help with bruxism?
Magnesium is useful for stress management therefore it can certainly reduce unwanted clenching and grinding in your mouth if you are doing this due to stress. However, it is important to note that magnesium must be taken under prescription and always following the doctor's instructions.
Can bruxism cause ear problems?
Yes, over time, the damage caused to your facial bones can lead to ear problems, but it is only in severe cases that it can lead to ringing in the ears, more commonly known as Tinnitus.
Is bruxism hereditary?
Although bruxism is not always hereditary, doctors agree and evidence suggests that it runs in families. Hereditary bruxism is usually caused by increased cortisol levels in families. Other conditions that cause bruxism, such as stress, make it unlikely that you have hereditary teeth grinding.
