Can stress cause teeth grinding (bruxism)?

The causes of bruxism are not known but many believe that stress as well as sleep disorders and/or an abnormal bite all play a role.

If you suspect you are grinding your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can help you manage bruxism and its related symptoms, as well as repair and help prevent further damage to your teeth.

Stress can cause teeth grinding, or bruxism. When you're under stress, you tend to clench or grind your teeth, often subconsciously or during your sleep. Nervous tension or anger can aggravate teeth grinding. When you continuously grind your teeth, you can damage, loosen, or fracture them. Chronic teeth grinding can also lead to jaw and facial muscle problems known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Yes, stress is thought to be a major cause of teeth grinding. Bruxism is a disorder that is not fully understood and not everyone agrees about possible causes, but stress does seem to play a role. Daily stress and major, stressful life events seem to trigger tension and clenching of the jaw. This tension causes pain and may even damage teeth. Treatments include stress reduction, which often relieves symptoms.