The sound of teeth grinding is horrifying, and many people will unconsciously clench and grind their upper and lower teeth back and forth while sleeping. But why do some people grind their teeth and others don’t? What causes teeth grinding? Will teeth grinding affect dental health? The following will introduce you to teeth grinding.

Why do you grind your teeth?

Teeth grinding is medically defined as a sleep disorder that usually lasts for seconds or minutes, but may occur throughout the night. It usually occurs in children who are in the teething period. Oral problems such as misaligned teeth or malocclusion may cause children to grind their teeth.

There are many and complex reasons why teenagers or adults grind their teeth. It is generally believed to be related to stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, mental illness, side effects of medication, etc. These factors will trigger the central nervous system to send signals, making the facial and jaw muscles more likely to tense and contract, thereby causing teeth grinding. If you have the habit of grinding your teeth for a long time, it may be a warning sign of your mental state, which needs to be taken seriously.

Will teeth grinding affect dental health?

Long-term teeth grinding will grind the teeth flat, short and into a zigzag shape. This will affect the appearance of the teeth, and cause irreparable damage to the function of the teeth. Here are the effects of teeth grinding can have on your dental health:

• Tooth wear: Grinding your teeth can wear away the enamel on the tooth surface, changing the shape of the tooth and making the inner structure of the tooth more likely to be exposed.

• Tooth sensitivity: When the internal structures of teeth such as dentin is exposed, it can cause tooth sensitivity or pain when eating hot or cold foods or drinks.

• Loose teeth: The pressure caused by grinding teeth will be transmitted to the periodontal tissue, causing damage to the periodontal ligament or alveolar bone. Over time, the teeth will become loose.

• Tooth fracture: Since teeth grinding occurs unconsciously, if you accidentally grind your teeth too hard, it can lead to tooth fracture.

• Temporomandibular joint disorder: Teeth grinding involves the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular and other jaw muscles. When the muscles are overused or stressed for a long time, the temporomandibular cartilage may wear out or the muscles may fatigue, resulting in pain, stiffness, and even snapping problems.

• Other pains: Some people who grind their teeth may clench their teeth all night, and their muscles will be in a state of tension for a long time. After waking up, they may experience tooth soreness, headache, neck pain, cheek muscle pain, tinnitus, etc.
  

How can you improve your teeth grinding habits?

Before understanding how to improve teeth grinding, you should first find out the causes of teeth grinding and then prescribe appropriate treatment. If it is caused by excessive mental stress, you should start by reducing stress and relaxing your body and mind; if it is serious enough to suffer from mental illness, you should seek professional advice from a psychiatrist or psychologist. If it is related to a sleep disorder, referral to a specialist may be necessary.


Regardless of the cause of teeth grinding, wearing special teethers while sleeping can effectively reduce the damage caused by grinding teeth and protect teeth. This kind of special gutta-percha needs to be customized by a professional dentist according to your actual dental condition. For details, please contact EC Dental Care.

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Disclaimer: This article is prepared by an independent third party and is not sponsored. The content provided is solely for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It does not represent any specific viewpoint. In the event of any discomfort or health issues, it is advised to seek medical attention promptly.