Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene

Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Milton & Hurricane Helene. >>Learn More

Teeth Grinding: You Won't Believe How Harmful it Really Is

Image of U.S. Navy Hospitalman Justin Sobleskie (right), and U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Roberts, USS Carter Hall dental department head, do dental work on aboard the USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) while at sea. U.S. Navy Hospitalman Justin Sobleskie (right), and U.S. Navy Lt. Matthew Roberts, USS Carter Hall dental department head, do dental work on aboard the USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) while at sea. (Photo: Cpl. Michael Lockett, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit)

Are you a teeth grinder or a jaw clencher?  

You might not even realize that you’re doing it, especially while you’re sleeping. But your jaw can grit and grind with as much as 250 pounds of force. Ouch! 

Chronic, involuntary teeth grinding – technically called bruxism – can lead to all sorts of health problems. You could crack or fracture your teeth, which may require crowns or dental implants. You could also wear down the enamel on your teeth, leading to periodontal disease or lost teeth. 

Teeth grinding can cause chronic pain in your head, neck and ears. It can lead to migraines, noise sensitivity and tinnitus, said Navy Capt. (Dr.) Cecilia Brown, director of dental services at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida. 

In the most severe cases, you might need a total joint replacement for the hinge on your jaw. Surgeons can implant a titanium joint. That’s needed when bruxism wears down the jaw cartilage so that moving your mouth grinds bone against bone, Brown said. 

Bruxism, to varying degrees, is common. Up to 30% of people grind their teeth in some way, and estimates suggest that about 10% to 15% of adults suffer painful bruxing during sleep, according to Air Force Lt. Col. Preston Duffin, director of orofacial pain at the 59th Dental Training Squadron-Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. 

“Most people have some degree of clenching, grinding, muscle guarding or other jaw activity during the day and night that is not associated with normal functioning like eating, talking, or swallowing,” Duffin said. 

Any “evidence of excessive tooth wear” could warrant some treatment, he said. 

Many people don’t fully understand how harmful teeth grinding can be. 

“It’s very difficult to manage, and difficult to get patients to understand” the possible consequences, Brown said. 

Bruxism as a Coping Mechanism 

“You can’t pinpoint one thing” that leads to bruxism behavior, Brown said. But teeth grinding and jaw clenching can be coping mechanisms for stress. Bruxism also shows up in patients with post-traumatic stress. 

Active duty service members on deployment can develop bruxism due to sleep deprivation, stress, or not eating properly. Some people clench their teeth to keep focused, Brown said. 

Teeth grinding can occur during the day and at night. 

“If you have this condition during the day when you’re ‘biting your tongue’” to keep your words in, it’s a coping mechanism that you will likely feel in your jaw muscles when you get home or off-duty and relax, Brown said. 

At night, bruxism occurs during periods of dreaming when your body has more muscle activity. “It’s involuntary and unconscious,” Brown said.  

If your facial muscles are working all the time, “like a body builder’s muscles, they get big, sore and inflamed,” she said.” Eventually, this can cause you to not be able to open your mouth fully. 

Those who have obstructive sleep apnea or fibromyalgia also are susceptible to bruxism. 

Night Guards and Other Treatments 

The first line of defense is to wear a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. But that may or may not work. “Some people grind right through the night guard,” Brown said. 

TRICARE covers night guards when medically necessary. 

Typically, “if you are aware of nighttime grinding and wake in the morning with jaw pain or tiredness, then there is a better chance you will be a good responder to night guard therapy,” Duffin said. 

Beyond a night guard, Brown said, there are a variety of treatment options that can reduce the frequency or harm caused by teeth grinding. They include: 

  • Physical therapy such as massage, compresses and mouth stretching exercises 
  • Yoga 
  • Counseling 
  • Treatment for acid reflux, which is a factor for bruxism development 
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 
  • Muscle relaxants 
  • Botulinum toxin injections (Botox) 
  • Anti-anxiety medications 
  • A diet limited to soft, non-chew foods 
  • Changing pillows if they are not firm enough 

Has the pandemic increased cases of bruxism? Duffin said he can “certainly say there is a greater tendency for patients to complain of higher levels of perceived stress and anxiety, which is likely influencing increased activities like bruxing, jaw pain, and tooth wear.” 

While many people who suffer from bruxism have mild symptoms, in some cases it can become a serious medical condition. 

“Bruxism is a real condition that’s very debilitating,” Brown said. “We need to make sure our medical practitioners can identify it and try to intervene earlier.” 

You also may be interested in...

Article
Oct 23, 2023

DHA Awards TRICARE Dental Program Contract

DHA Media Advisory

The Defense Health Agency announced today the award of the sixth generation of the TRICARE Dental Program contract. The new TRICARE Dental Program contract will go into effect Dec. 1, 2024. The new contract will provide private sector dental care to active duty family members, eligible National Guard and Reservists, and active duty services members ...

Article
Sep 6, 2023

TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency

TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Fortunately, the TRICARE Dental Program covers emergency dental care. You’ll pay no cost-share for emergency dental services regardless of your pay grade or location. But there are still steps you may need to take to ensure your teeth and gums stay protected in an emergency.

Article
Aug 15, 2023

Have Other Health Insurance? Here’s How It Works With TRICARE

Have Other Health Insurance? Here’s How It Works With TRICARE

Your TRICARE plan might be only part of your health care coverage. If you have additional coverage through your employer, your spouse’s employer, or a private insurance program, you have other health insurance (OHI). Here are six tips to help you learn how TRICARE works when you also use OHI.

Article
Jul 25, 2023

Beat the Back-to-School Rush: TRICARE Preventive Health Checks for Kids

Beat the Back-to-School Rush: TRICARE Preventive Health Checks for Kids

Summer is a great time to take care of health checkups for your kids. Your child’s school likely requires students to get an annual health exam and be up to date on vaccines. With a new school year around the corner, don’t delay medical appointments for your kids.

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: July 11, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery