{"id":7821,"date":"2022-05-30T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-30T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thames-dental.co.uk\/mk_staging\/?p=7821"},"modified":"2026-02-28T23:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T23:22:51","slug":"do-you-grind-your-teeth-at-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thames-dental.co.uk\/mk_staging\/do-you-grind-your-teeth-at-night\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever woken up with jaw ache, or a headache? Has your partner ever told you, you make loud crackling noises with your teeth whilst sleeping?<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"grinding-teeth-jawache-tooth-pain\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If so, then you may be suffering from teeth grinding (also known as bruxism<\/a>).\u00a0 If you do \u2013 you are not alone! Bruxism is a very common condition amongst the adult population, with reports of it affecting up to 80% of adults during their lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Tooth Grinding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tooth grinding involves involuntarily rubbing or grinding your top teeth against your bottom teeth. This usually occurs when you are asleep or when you are preoccupied with a certain activity (i.e., you are not consciously aware you are doing it) \u2013 often the first-time patients realise they grind their teeth is when asked or told about it by a Dentist!  Dentists are able to tell this as we often see it when patients have been grinding their teeth to the point where it has caused damage or tooth wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a multitude of genetic and environmental factors which correlate to why someone grinds their teeth. Some of these include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to hyperactive jaw muscles and is particularly prevalent during times such as difficult periods at work, or in education (such as when someone is going through exam<\/a> periods). It is thought that the adrenaline hormone has a big part to play and causes subconscious reflexes in the jaw muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Straight Your Teeth Are<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If someone has a misaligned jaw or bite, such as an overbite\/underbite, or they have more crowded teeth<\/a>, there is a higher chance of tooth grinding occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine can promote the body\u2019s reflexive movements. If you smoke just before you go to bed, you are at higher risk of grinding your teeth whilst you sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration can contribute to teeth grinding, especially for those who drink alcohol before bed, or in warm weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use of Anti-Depressants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anti-depressants can increase the level of serotonin in the brain which can then lead to an increase in jaw clenching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Grinding?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are some of the symptoms, signs and indications that you may be grinding your teeth at night, or whilst distracted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n