Bruxism is the term for teeth grinding, which frequently occurs as you sleep.

In addition to stress and worry, other factors that might contribute to tooth grinding include sleep disturbances, an irregular bite, and missing or misaligned teeth. Teeth grinding may also be linked to alcohol and tobacco use, according to a research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association’s November 2016 edition. The likelihood of grinding one’s teeth is about doubled for smokers and alcohol users.

More than half of dentists surveyed by the ADA Health Policy Institute in September 2020 reported seeing a rise in patients with dental conditions that are frequently linked to stress, including chipped and cracked teeth, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders that cause headaches and jaw pain, and teeth grinding and clenching.

Among the signs of teeth grinding are:

• drab headaches
• jaw pain
• teeth that hurt or come loose
• broken teeth

To keep your teeth safe while you sleep, your dentist can install a mouth guard. Your doctor or dentist might occasionally advise taking a muscle relaxant just before bed. You must find a method to unwind if stress is the root of the problem. Exercise, counselling, and meditation can all aid in lowering stress and anxiety.

Children also frequently grind their teeth. But since their jaws and teeth develop and alter so rapidly, it is often not a harmful habit that has to be treated, and most of them outgrow it before puberty.

While stress is frequently the cause of teeth grinding in adults, this isn’t necessarily the case for kids. Children’s teeth grinding may also result from the following other factors:

• oral irritation
• sensitivities
• teeth that are not aligned

Ask your dentist about the various reasons and, if required, the available remedies if you’re worried about your child’s teeth grinding.

The az-topics section of https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/t/teeth-grinding