What are the effects of tooth grinding?

The effects of teeth grinding (bruxism) can vary. They include:

• dull headaches
• jaw soreness
• teeth that are painful or loose
• fractured teeth

If you’re concerned about teeth grinding, ask your dentist about the potential causes and, if necessary, the possible solutions.

The unconscious, repetitive grinding of the teeth due to stress, poor tooth alignment or other causes can result in pain, tooth damage, and other problems. Watch the animation to learn more about the possible effects of tooth grinding.

Constant teeth grinding can wear down and damage your teeth, cause tension headaches and facial pain, and in extreme cases lead to a misalignment of the jawbone known as temporomandibular disorder, which also affects the jaw joint. Some people may not know they grind their teeth until they visit a dentist, because they do so unconsciously and while they're asleep, a condition called sleep bruxism.