Bipolar Disorder Symptoms What Is Bruxism? By Kimberly Read Kimberly Read Kimberly Read is a writer with experience covering mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 17, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Piyapong Thongcharoen / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Bruxism? Types Symptoms Diagnosis Causes and Risk Factors Treatment Coping What Is Bruxism? Bruxism is a repetitive movement disorder in which a person routinely grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth using the jaw muscles. Bruxism can involve all the teeth or only the front teeth and can also include symptoms ranging from headaches or facial pain to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Certain medications increase the risk of bruxism, so sometimes a prescription change could be all it takes to resolve the condition. Other people may need more help, such as taking measures to relieve stress (people often grind their teeth when they're nervous or under pressure) or wearing a mouth guard during sleep. Types There are two types of bruxism, and their symptoms and causes can differ: Awake bruxism (AB), also called diurnal bruxism, occurs when people are awake and symptoms often worsen as the day progresses. It is more common in women.Sleep bruxism (SB), also called nocturnal bruxism, occurs during the night, and symptoms are often worse when a person first wakes up. Symptoms Most of the time, bruxism is not severe enough to cause major problems, and symptoms can range from person to person depending on whether they grind their teeth during the day or overnight. Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include: Aching jaw musclesChewed places on the tongue or cheekDamage to teeth (e.g., chips fractures, worn enamel, flattened tops, loose teeth) Disruption to sleep due to waking up from the sound of groundingEaraches (with no symptoms of an ear infection or other ear problems)Headaches (including tension headaches from day grinding and morning headaches for nighttime bruxism)Neck pain or sorenessNoise from the grinding or clenching that wakes your sleeping partnerSevere facial painTeeth that are very sensitive to cold, heat, or pressureTemporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder Diagnosis It's often the sleep partner or parent who first notices the symptoms of bruxism in their loved one as they may hear them grind their teeth during the night. Bruxism is often diagnosed during a dental exam, during which time the dentist will check for worn or broken teeth, damage to the inside of the cheek, jaw muscle tenderness, and TMJ. Your dentist may also take an X-ray to determine if there's been any damage to the underlying bone tissue. Since bruxism is associated with a greater risk of sleep apnea, you may also be required to undergo a sleep study to evaluate teeth grinding episodes and determine if a sleep-related disorder is present. Causes and Risk Factors There are lots of reasons a person may grind their teeth. There are also several factors that may increase a person’s risk of having bruxism, which include: Age: Kids are more likely to grind their teeth than adults. In fact, sleep-related bruxism affects 15% to 40% of children compared to 8% to 10% of adults. Emotions: Frustration, stress, tension, anxiety, and suppressed anger are all potential culprits behind teeth grinding. Genetics: Bruxism tends to run in families. Children are nearly two times more likely to have bruxism if a parent had the condition. Medication: Research shows that certain medications are known to cause bruxism, including those that are used to treat psychiatric conditions. It's thought that these drugs cause changes in the central nervous system that lead to teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Examples of such medications include antipsychotics and antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Paxil (paroxetine). Personality: Bruxism has been associated with certain personality traits such as neuroticism. Substance use: Cigarette smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drug use may increase the risk of bruxism. In addition, bruxism has been associated with certain medical conditions. These include: Aattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)DementiaEpilepsyGastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)Night terrorsParkinson's diseaseSleep apnea (and other sleep-related disorders) Treatment Bruxism is highly treatable. The key to successful treatment is to figure out what is causing you to grind your teeth and then target your treatment to the cause. Therapy When chronic stress or anxiety is driving you to gnash and grind your teeth, it may be helpful to see a therapist. Once you've dealt with the issues that are causing your emotional distress, you may find that your bruxism abates. Counseling can also help with sleep habit modification and relaxation techniques. If other efforts fail to help you stop grinding your teeth, biofeedback may be worth trying. This is a method that uses monitoring procedures and equipment to teach you to control muscle activity in your jaw. Mouthguards and Splint Therapy If you're a night grinder, a mouthguard (also known as an appliance or occlusal splint) may be helpful. Some guards fit over the top teeth while others fit over the bottom teeth. They may be designed to keep your jaw in a more relaxed position or to provide some other function. Medications Many different medications have been tried for bruxism, and the data for their efficacy is limited. However, there is some evidence that certain medications may be helpful in managing bruxism. Muscle relaxants and even Botox injections have shown promise as temporary antidotes for teeth grinding when it's not caused by a medication or underlying condition. If your bruxism is caused by medication, your doctor may consider either changing your dose or putting you on a different medication. Coping If your bruxism is causing you pain, try these steps at home to help: Don't chew gum as this can make the pain worse. Stay away from hard candies, nuts, steak, and other foods that are difficult to chew. Try to relax your face throughout the day. Self-massage may be helpful. Feel for small, painful nodules called trigger points that can cause pain throughout your head and face. Manage stress. Take a bubble bath, go for a walk, or listen to your favorite music. Learn relaxation exercises such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or meditation. Change your behavior. Discuss techniques for practicing proper mouth and jaw positioning with your dentist. If you tend to grind in your sleep, don't have foods or beverages that contain caffeine before bed. Alcohol and smoking in the evening also can make bruxism worse. Stay on top of your dental care so that your dentist can monitor any damage you might be doing to your teeth. Practice good sleep hygiene. 8 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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The evaluation of the clinical effects of botulinum toxin on nocturnal bruxism. Pain Res Manag. 2017;2017:6264146. doi:10.1155/2017/6264146 Bertazzo-Silveira E, Kruger CM, Porto de toledo I, et al. Association between sleep bruxism and alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and drug abuse: A systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2016;147(11):859-866.e4. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2016.06.014 By Kimberly Read Kimberly Read is a writer with experience covering mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.