Bruxism causes and contributing factors
Bruxism is repeated jaw-muscle activity that may involve clenching or grinding during sleep or while awake.
What causes repeated clenching or grinding of the teeth?
Bruxism is repeated jaw-muscle activity that may involve clenching or grinding during sleep or while awake.
How can bruxism affect teeth, muscles, and jaw joints?
The activity can load teeth, chewing muscles, and jaw joints, and a dentist looks for wear, cracks, tenderness, and bite changes.
What can you record before arranging a bruxism assessment?
Record when clenching occurs and arrange an assessment; a professionally fitted guard may protect teeth when indicated.
Which bruxism symptoms should prompt dental care?
Arrange care for fractured teeth, morning jaw pain, limited opening, headaches, or repeated sleep disruption.
What should you ask about sleep or awake bruxism?
Ask whether the pattern is sleep or wake bruxism and whether a sleep assessment or appliance is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photograph?
A photograph can show location and appearance, but examination and sometimes testing may be needed to identify the cause.
What should I tell the dentist?
Describe onset, triggers, progression, previous treatment, medicines, and any pain, swelling, bleeding, or fever.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.