Why Do I Grind My Teeth? Signs, Causes, and What Can Help

Teeth grinding can happen without you noticing. Learn the signs of bruxism, what can cause it, how it affects your teeth, and when to see a dentist.

04 de setembro de 2026 · 6 min ·por Welleness Guide

Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw, a headache, or teeth that feel unusually sensitive?

You might be clenching or grinding your teeth without realizing it.

Teeth grinding is known as bruxism. It can happen while you're awake or asleep, and many people don't know they're doing it until a dentist notices signs of wear or someone tells them they grind their teeth at night.

Occasional clenching isn't necessarily a serious problem. But when grinding or clenching happens frequently or with a lot of force, it can put unnecessary pressure on your teeth and jaw.

Understanding the signs can help you recognize when it's worth bringing the issue up with your dentist.

What Is Teeth Grinding?

Bruxism includes grinding, clenching, or tightly holding the teeth together.

Some people grind their teeth during sleep. Others clench their jaw during the day, sometimes while concentrating, working, driving, or dealing with tension.

Sleep bruxism can be particularly difficult to notice because you're not conscious when it happens. A partner may hear grinding sounds at night, or you may only discover the problem after developing jaw soreness or tooth sensitivity.

Not everyone who grinds their teeth needs treatment. Mild or occasional bruxism may not cause significant problems. The concern is repeated or forceful grinding that begins to damage the teeth or causes persistent discomfort.

What Are the Signs You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth?

The symptoms can vary from person to person.

Some of the most common signs include:

Sore or tired jaw muscles
Jaw tightness, especially after waking
Headaches, particularly around the temples
Tooth sensitivity
Flattened or worn teeth
Chipped or cracked teeth
Damage to fillings, crowns, or other dental work
Facial or jaw soreness
Tooth pain without an obvious explanation

Some people also notice clicking or discomfort around the jaw.

A partner or family member may notice nighttime grinding before you do.

One clue can be especially easy to overlook: your teeth may gradually become flatter or more worn. This can happen slowly, so you might not notice a difference when looking in the mirror from one day to the next.

Why Does It Happen?

There isn't one single cause of bruxism.

Researchers believe several factors can contribute, and the causes can differ between people. Stress and emotional tension are commonly associated with awake bruxism. Sleep bruxism can also be associated with certain sleep-related problems.

Other factors that may be associated with bruxism include:

Stress and tension

You may notice yourself clenching your teeth when you're concentrating, frustrated, nervous, or under pressure.

Sometimes the habit becomes so automatic that you don't realize your jaw is tense until you consciously relax it.

Sleep problems

Sleep bruxism is associated with some sleep disorders, including snoring and sleep apnea. That doesn't mean grinding your teeth automatically means you have a sleep disorder, but persistent nighttime grinding can be something worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol have been identified as factors that may be associated with bruxism. Smoking may also increase the likelihood of grinding or clenching.

This doesn't mean that having coffee or an alcoholic drink automatically causes bruxism. The relationship is more complicated, and individual factors matter.

Certain medications

Some medicines, including certain medications used for depression, seizures, and ADHD, may increase the chance of bruxism in some people.

If you suspect a medication may be contributing, don't stop taking it on your own. Talk with the healthcare professional who prescribed it.

Can Grinding Actually Damage Your Teeth?

It can, particularly when the grinding is frequent or forceful.

Repeated pressure can wear down the outer layer of a tooth, known as enamel. More severe bruxism may contribute to chipped, cracked, flattened, or loose teeth and can damage dental restorations such as fillings and crowns.

Worn enamel can also make teeth more sensitive.

This is one reason unexplained sensitivity deserves attention, especially if it happens alongside jaw soreness, headaches, or visible changes in your teeth.

But tooth sensitivity has many possible causes. Grinding is only one of them.

What Can You Do If You Think You Grind Your Teeth?

The first step is usually to have your dentist take a look.

During a dental examination, your dentist can look for patterns of tooth wear, damage, jaw tenderness, and other signs that may suggest bruxism. They can also check whether another dental problem could be causing your symptoms.

Depending on what's happening, your dentist may discuss different approaches.

Become aware of daytime clenching

If you tend to clench your teeth while awake, simply becoming more aware of the habit can be useful.

You can periodically check whether your jaw is tense and consciously relax it. NIDCR also recommends using reminders to help notice and reduce daytime clenching.

Look at your evening habits

If you grind your teeth during sleep, paying attention to your nighttime routine may be worthwhile.

Reducing caffeine and alcohol in the evening, avoiding smoking, maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and finding ways to relax may help reduce factors associated with bruxism.

These steps aren't guaranteed to stop grinding, but they can be part of a broader approach.

Ask about a mouth guard

A dentist may recommend a custom-fitted mouth guard or splint, particularly when there is a risk of tooth damage.

These appliances separate the upper and lower teeth and can help protect the teeth from the effects of grinding. They don't necessarily eliminate the underlying tendency to clench or grind.

Because mouth guards need to fit properly, it's worth discussing the appropriate type with a dental professional rather than assuming every over-the-counter option is suitable.

When Should You See a Dentist?

Make an appointment if you regularly experience:

Jaw pain or tenderness
Tooth sensitivity that keeps returning
Worn, chipped, or cracked teeth
Repeated headaches that seem connected with jaw tension
Pain when moving your jaw
Damage to fillings, crowns, or other dental work
Grinding noticed by your sleep partner

A dentist can help determine whether bruxism is actually responsible or whether another dental or jaw problem needs attention.

If nighttime grinding is accompanied by significant snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping, or other signs of disturbed sleep, mention those symptoms to a healthcare professional as well. Sleep-related problems can sometimes be connected with sleep bruxism.

The Bottom Line

Teeth grinding is common, and it isn't always something that requires treatment.

The important question is whether the habit is happening often enough or forcefully enough to cause problems.

Pay attention to clues such as morning jaw soreness, headaches, tooth sensitivity, flattened teeth, or unexplained dental damage. Because many people grind their teeth without realizing it, regular dental examinations can be useful for spotting changes early.

And if you do discover that you're clenching or grinding, don't assume stress is the only possible explanation. Sleep, medications, habits, and other factors can also play a role.

The right approach depends on what's causing the problem and whether your teeth or jaw are being affected.