Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

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...

Ask the Doc: Overcoming Your Fear of the Dentist

Article
2/1/2022
Patient getting dental care

Seeing the dentist can be scary. Here are some tips for how to make your next visit easier.

Do You Have COVID-19? Influenza? Or is it RSV? Here’s What to Look For

Article
1/24/2022
Military personnel preparing a COVID-19 test sample for processing

Knowing the symptoms of COVID-19/RSV/Flu will help your medical treatment

Flu Vaccination Rates are Running High Across the Military This Year

Article
12/8/2021
Image of a woman giving someone an injection on the arm.

Rates of flu vaccination among service members are significantly higher than in previous years.

Flu Shots are Available Now And Are More Important than Ever

Article
10/13/2021
Military personnel getting their flu shot

It’s flu season. Get vaccinated. COVID-19 concerns should redouble desire to get vaccinated against the flu.

For Colon Cancer Patients, Military Health System Shows Better Results

Article
9/3/2021
Graphic image of a colon with polyps.

A USU study found MHS patients with colon cancer have better survival rates than patients in the general population.

MHS and MOS Town Hall To Your Health: Dental Health

Article
8/24/2021
MHS and Military OneSource Townhall graphic

MHS and Military OneSource presents a discussion about Dental Health.

Are You Procrastinating Your Doctor’s Visit? Don’t Delay Any Longer

Article
8/23/2021
Photo of two military women talking.

Preventive health care is key to long-term health, prevention, and early detection.

Do You Need a Medical Alert ID? It Could Save Your Life

Article
8/18/2021
Graphic image of a person's forearm wearing a medical alert bracelet and a close-up of the bracelet.

Medical alert devices can save your life – never leave home without yours.

How You Can Prevent This Cancer-Causing Sexually Transmitted Infection

Article
8/4/2021
Doctor talking to a boy

Get the HPV vaccinations for cancer prevention if you haven’t already

Checking Iron Levels in Your Blood Could Save Your Life

Article
7/23/2021
Military personnel donating blood

Hemochromatosis, a disease in which too much iron builds up in our bodies, can cause organ failure if untreated, affecting service members’ readiness. However, it can be treated.

What to Know About Hepatitis - its Treatment, and Prevention

Article
7/19/2021
picture of a liver

Here are the most important facts you should know about hepatitis.

Sexually transmitted infections – you may have one and not know it

Article
7/6/2021
Infographic about STIs

Many service members are at high risk for Sexually Transmitted Infection -- rates have been increasing over the past several years

Migraine Facts and Helpful Treatments

Article
6/17/2021
Military personnel receiving treatment for headaches

For migraine sufferers, there is help, and communication is key

Hernias: What Every Service Member Should Know

Article
6/11/2021
Military personnel performing a bench press

Hernias are common. What you need to know about diagnosing, treating, and preventing hernias

Be proactive in looking for early signs of testicular cancer

Article
4/9/2021
Military health personnel giving and examination

While the diagnosis of cancer can be frightening, testicular cancer can usually be cured.

Page 2 of 3 , showing items 16 - 30
First < 1 2 3 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 31, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery