Clenching the teeth puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around your jaw. People can either be acutely aware or unaware of this habit and it can happen during both the day and night. Nocturnal (sleep) related bruxism can also be linked to other medical issues and is best assessed by your dentist.
Some likely causes of bruxism are (but not limited to):
- Physical stress such as illness, nutritional deficiencies or dehydration
- Psychological stress, anxiety and tension
- Undiagnosed/untreated dental disease
- Misaligned teeth
- Recreational drug habits
If you experience jaw pain or headaches, please let our dentist know so that we can help.