Why Is Jaw Clenching So Bad For You?

 

There are so many of us that clench our teeth but don’t even realize that we do it.  Our partners are generally the first to notice the problem when they hear grinding noises at night.  Parents can hear their children grind in their sleep as well.  Chronic clenching and grinding your teeth can lead to some serious dental issues and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder.

The medical terminology for clenching and grinding of the teeth is Bruxism.  About half of the population does it from time to time but up to 10% of the population grind on a regular basis.  Clenching and grinding can occur during the day and/or sleep.  Typically, the bigger concerns with clenching and grinding occur when sleeping at night because that’s when the forces are much greater and for prolonged periods of time.

Jaw clenching and grinding will lead to many problems including:

• Wear and tear on the teeth which will lead to temperature sensitivity, chip, cracked, or loss of teeth. Aching teeth, particularly just after waking up is common.
• Inflammation and pain in the TMJ, leading to Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Sore jaw muscles in the morning and you may develop clicking or popping noises, which are caused by your TMJ being out of alignment.  Aching and/or stiffness of the face and temples particularly after waking up, eating, and talking are common symptoms of clenching and grinding.
• Locked jaw may occur when the jaw is stuck in either a closed or an open position. This occurs when the TMJ is dislocated and the muscles are in spasm; therefore, you can’t move the jaw.  You will need to call a TMD/TMD immediately to help you in this case.
• Headaches, shoulder and neck pain occur from overuse of muscles surrounding the jaw.
• Pain and pressure changes in the ear, and ringing in the ear may occur.
• Raised tissue on the inside of the cheek caused by biting.
• Enlargement of the jaw muscles specifically over the cheeks from constant clenching and grinding, which will exert more force when clenching thus making the whole process magnified.
• Since energy was spent clenching and grinding all night long, your muscles are fatigued during the day.

Causes of Jaw Clenching and Grinding

In most cases daytime teeth clenching and grinding is due to stress.  Some people grind their teeth when they are feeling anxious, angry, or are concentrating.  Other causes of bruxism can involve genetics, personality traits, and external factors such as smoking, caffeine, alcohol and some drugs.

Teeth clenching and grinding is also common in children. However, because their teeth and jaw are constantly growing and changing, it is usually temporary and most outgrow it by their teenage years.

Poor posture, especially of the neck, causes clenching and grinding because muscles of the TMJ connect to the neck and shoulder.  While sitting, tap your teeth few times and then open and close your mouth.  Now, repeat the same movements while you look up and down while you are slouched.  You will immediately notice the difference in the contact points of your teeth and opening of the mouth.  This simple mechanics explains why it’s almost impossible for the teeth and jaw to come together properly when you have poor neck posture.  And thus, teeth grinding will occur to find the correct position of the teeth.

Self Treatment and Management for Jaw Clenching and Grinding

• Stress management via relaxation and breathing techniques can decrease the day time clenching since you can control the jaw muscles.
• Learning new habits during day instead of clenching. Try placing the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and keep your teeth slightly apart.  Whenever you feel your jaw clenching, let your jaw hang down and move it side to side.  Feel the muscles relax, and then try to maintain that position.
• Maintain good posture. Since poor posture effects your TMJ and clenching, it’s important to stay active, stretch, and be mindful of your sitting position.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Grinding may get worse after drinking alcohol or caffeine.
• Soft food diet will help to alleviate TMJ pain. Avoid chewing anything besides food.  Biting your nails or chewing gum enables your jaw muscles to get used to clenching, making you more likely to grind your teeth.
• Regular exercises can improve sleeping, which will also alleviate stress.
• Taking a hot shower or using a moist heating pad around the TMJ, face, and upper neck will relax the muscle spasms.
• Wearing an over the counter night guard can protect the surface of the teeth; however, it can also make you clench more and eventually lead to malalignment of teeth including inability for the back teeth to touch. Night guards will not stop you from clenching or grinding altogether.

Summary

If you are currently suffering from clenching and grinding, please fill out the form below and get immediate relief.  The good news is that long term studies of TMJ Disorder patients show that up to 90% of patients have few or no symptoms after treatment that addresses the underlying cause of jaw clenching and grinding.  We serve patients from Bryn Mawr, Radnor, Havertown, Ardmore, Wynnewood, Philadelphia and surrounding areas.