Gloss & Floss Answers · Bite, Jaw & Teeth Grinding

Why do I grind my teeth?

Author: Gloss & Floss Dental Care® · Clinically reviewed by a dentist at Gloss & Floss Dental Care®

Short answer

You may grind your teeth because of sleep-related bruxism, stress, jaw-muscle tension, clenching habits, bite forces, sleep disturbance, medication effects, lifestyle factors or a combination of several causes. Many people grind at night without knowing it. Common signs include worn teeth, morning jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, cracked fillings, flattened edges and a partner hearing grinding sounds. The goal is not only to stop the sound, but to protect the teeth, assess jaw function and identify contributing factors.

What does teeth grinding mean?

Teeth grinding usually means that the upper and lower teeth rub against each other with force. It can happen during sleep or while awake. Many patients also clench rather than grind, meaning the teeth are pressed together without obvious side-to-side movement.

The clinical term often used is bruxism. Bruxism can involve grinding, clenching or bracing of the jaw muscles. Some people notice it themselves, while others only discover it when a dentist sees tooth wear, cracks, muscle tenderness or changes in the bite.

Common reasons people grind their teeth

Possible factor	How it may contribute	What to consider
Stress and tension	Stress can increase jaw-muscle activity and daytime clenching.	Patients may notice tightness during work, concentration or emotional pressure.
Sleep-related bruxism	Grinding can occur during sleep without the patient being aware of it.	Morning symptoms, tooth wear and partner observations can be useful clues.
Jaw-muscle habits	Some people hold the teeth together during concentration, exercise or screen work.	Awareness and habit changes may help reduce daytime overload.
Bite forces	Some teeth may receive heavy or uneven forces during grinding or clenching.	The dentist may assess tooth wear, bite contacts and restoration damage.
Sleep disturbance	Poor sleep, snoring or other sleep-related factors may be associated with increased jaw activity.	Dental assessment may need to be combined with medical sleep advice when symptoms suggest it.
Lifestyle or medication factors	Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, some medicines or stimulants may influence muscle activity in some patients.	A medical and lifestyle history helps identify possible contributing factors.

Signs that you may grind your teeth

Worn, flattened or shortened tooth edges
Morning jaw pain or jaw stiffness
Headaches, especially after waking
Sore facial muscles or temples
Tooth sensitivity without an obvious cavity
Cracked, chipped or rough tooth edges
Fillings, crowns or veneers that chip or loosen repeatedly
Clicking, tension or tiredness in the jaw
Your partner hears grinding sounds during sleep
You notice yourself clenching during work, driving, training or stress

Why many people do not know they grind

Night-time grinding often happens during sleep, so the patient may not hear or feel it at the time. The first signs may be dental: worn enamel, cracks, sensitive teeth, broken fillings or changes in the biting surfaces.

Some patients do not grind loudly but still clench with strong force. Clenching can overload teeth, muscles and jaw joints even when there is no grinding noise.

Is teeth grinding always caused by stress?

No. Stress is a common contributing factor, especially for daytime clenching, but it is not the only explanation. Teeth grinding can be linked to sleep-related muscle activity, habits, bite forces, medication, lifestyle factors, airway or sleep issues, pain, anxiety or several factors together.

This is why a proper assessment is important. If grinding is treated only as “stress,” important dental signs such as cracks, tooth wear, jaw dysfunction or restoration failure may be missed.

What damage can grinding cause?

Possible effect	What it can look like	Why it matters
Tooth wear	Flattened, shortened or shiny biting surfaces.	Lost enamel does not grow back and may increase sensitivity or affect bite height.
Cracks and chips	Small edge fractures, cracked cusps or visible fracture lines.	Cracks can progress and may make fillings, crowns or root canal treatment necessary.
Sensitivity	Cold, sweet or brushing sensitivity.	Grinding can expose dentine, stress the tooth or combine with gum recession and erosion.
Jaw-muscle pain	Morning soreness, tired chewing muscles or temple tenderness.	Muscle overload can affect comfort, chewing and daily function.
Restoration failure	Fillings, crowns, veneers or bonding chip, loosen or wear faster.	Dental work may need protection if bite forces remain high.
Jaw-joint symptoms	Clicking, stiffness, locking or discomfort around the TMJ.	Jaw-joint symptoms need assessment before assuming grinding is the only cause.

Daytime clenching vs night-time grinding

Daytime clenching often happens during concentration, stress, exercise, driving, computer work or emotional pressure. Patients can sometimes reduce it by becoming aware of jaw posture and keeping the teeth slightly apart when not chewing.

Night-time grinding is harder to control consciously because it happens during sleep. In these cases, the aim is usually to protect the teeth and reduce overload with a suitable plan, often including a custom bite splint when clinically indicated.

What affects the treatment plan?

Whether grinding happens during sleep, daytime or both
How much tooth wear is already present
Whether there are cracks, broken teeth or failing restorations
Whether the jaw muscles are sore or overactive
Whether the jaw clicks, locks or feels stiff
Whether the patient has headaches, neck tension or facial pain
Whether sleep quality, snoring or breathing concerns are present
Whether the patient uses caffeine, nicotine, alcohol or certain medications
Whether stress or anxiety is contributing to daytime clenching
Whether a night guard, bite assessment or broader dental rehabilitation is needed

Can a night guard stop teeth grinding?

A night guard, also called a bite splint or occlusal splint, may not stop the brain and muscles from trying to grind during sleep. Its main purpose is to protect the teeth, distribute forces more safely and reduce damage from grinding or clenching.

For many patients, a custom-made night guard is useful when there are signs of wear, cracks, sensitivity, jaw-muscle overload or risk to dental work. The appliance should be properly fitted, checked and adjusted when needed.

Why an over-the-counter mouthguard may not be enough

Generic mouthguards may feel bulky, unstable or poorly adapted to the bite. If a guard changes the bite unevenly, increases clenching or does not cover the teeth properly, it may not protect the teeth as intended.

A custom dental bite splint is made for the patient’s mouth and should be checked against the bite. It can also be adjusted if it feels uncomfortable or if the jaw symptoms change.

What happens during a dental assessment?

The dentist may examine tooth wear, cracks, fillings, crowns, gum recession, bite contacts, jaw-muscle tenderness, jaw opening, TMJ sounds and symptoms such as headaches or morning stiffness. X-rays or digital scans may be recommended if there are signs of tooth damage, infection, cracks or treatment-planning needs.

The aim is to separate normal variation from active damage. Some wear marks are old and stable, while others suggest ongoing overload that needs prevention or protection.

What happens at Gloss & Floss?

At Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm, Stockholm, we assess teeth grinding by looking at tooth wear, enamel cracks, broken fillings, sensitivity, bite forces, jaw muscles, TMJ symptoms and the patient’s history of stress, sleep and habits. We explain whether the signs suggest bruxism, daytime clenching, bite overload or another dental problem.

For English-speaking patients, expats and international residents, we explain terms such as bruxism, clenching, night guard, bite splint, jaw joint, tooth wear, TMJ, cracked tooth and bite rehabilitation in clear English before treatment decisions are made.

How to reduce damage from grinding

Book an assessment if you notice wear, cracks or jaw symptoms
Use a custom night guard if recommended by the dentist
Keep the teeth slightly apart during the day when not eating
Notice clenching during computer work, driving, training or stress
Avoid chewing hard objects such as pens, ice or fingernails
Limit evening caffeine or other triggers if they affect your sleep or tension
Discuss medication or sleep concerns with a medical professional when relevant
Protect crowns, veneers, bonding and implants if heavy bite forces are present
Attend regular checks so wear and cracks can be monitored

Questions to ask your dentist

Do my teeth show signs of grinding or clenching?
Is the wear old and stable or still active?
Are any teeth cracked or at risk of fracture?
Could grinding explain my sensitivity or jaw pain?
Do I need a custom night guard?
Is my bite contributing to tooth damage?
Do I have signs of TMJ involvement?
Could stress or daytime clenching be contributing?
Should I be assessed for sleep-related concerns?
How often should the wear be monitored?

When should you seek care?

Book a dental assessment if you wake with jaw pain, headaches, sensitive teeth, chipped teeth, cracked fillings, worn edges, facial muscle soreness or if someone hears you grinding at night. Seek care sooner if you have severe toothache, a broken tooth, pain when biting, jaw locking, swelling, fever or symptoms that are getting worse.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I grind my teeth at night?

Night-time grinding can be linked to sleep-related muscle activity, stress, sleep disturbance, lifestyle factors, medication effects or several factors together. Many patients are unaware of it until dental signs appear.

Can stress make me grind my teeth?

Yes, stress can contribute to jaw tension and daytime clenching, and may also worsen night-time grinding for some patients. It is not the only possible cause, so dental assessment is still important.

How do I know if I grind my teeth?

Signs include worn tooth edges, jaw pain in the morning, headaches, tooth sensitivity, cracked fillings, chipped teeth, jaw tension or a partner hearing grinding sounds during sleep.

Can teeth grinding damage crowns or veneers?

Yes. Heavy grinding or clenching can chip, loosen or overload crowns, veneers, bonding and fillings. Protective planning may be needed if you have cosmetic or restorative dental work.

Can a night guard cure bruxism?

A night guard does not always stop the grinding habit itself. Its main role is to protect teeth and dental work from damage and help distribute forces more safely.

Should I see a dentist or doctor for grinding?

Start with a dental assessment if you notice tooth wear, cracks, jaw pain or sensitivity. If sleep problems, snoring, medication effects or broader medical concerns are suspected, medical advice may also be appropriate.

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Disclaimer

This article provides general information from Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Stockholm. It does not replace an individual dental examination, bite assessment, TMJ assessment, sleep-related medical assessment, diagnosis, night-guard fitting, cost estimate or personalised treatment plan.

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