Bruxism - teeth grinding & clenching: Causes, symptoms & therapeutic approaches

Bruxism causes teeth grinding, jaw pain & tooth damage. Find out all about causes, symptoms & effective therapies such as bite splints & stress reduction.

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Bruxism refers to the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth, which usually occurs during sleep (sleep bruxism), but also during the day (waking bruxism).

Bruxism is a widespread, often underestimated dysfunction of the masticatory system, which can lead to tooth damage, muscle tension and jaw joint problems. The causes are multifactorial and include psychological stress, anxiety or inner turmoil, but also incorrect bite patterns, neurological factors or side effects of certain medications. Typical symptoms are abrasion of the tooth surfaces, tension in the jaw, pain in the chewing muscles, occasionally also headaches, ear noises (tinnitus), sleep disorders or shoulder and neck tension. Many sufferers do not notice the grinding themselves - it is often discovered by their partner or during a dental examination. In severe cases, it can lead to tooth loosening, chipping or temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

The treatment depends on the cause and severity. A customised bite splint (grinding splint) is often used to protect the teeth and relieve the chewing muscles. In addition, physiotherapeutic measures, stress management, relaxation techniques (e.g. progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback), psychotherapy or medical approaches can also be helpful. Osteopathic or functional therapies are also increasingly being used to correct muscular imbalances and poor posture.

Important characteristics of bruxism:

Unconscious grinding or clenching of the teeth
Causes: stress, malocclusion, medications, neurological factors
Symptoms: tooth damage, jaw pain, tension, headaches
Therapy: occlusal splint, relaxation techniques, physiotherapy, if necessary Psychotherapy
Important in the long term: stress reduction and interdisciplinary treatment