Why do I grind my teeth all the time when I sleep?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-01-31

Teeth grinding while sleeping is a common phenomenon that occurs in about 40% to 70% of people. So, why do we grind our teeth while sleeping?Headline Creation Challenge First, we need to understand the reasons for grinding teeth. Teeth grinding, medically known as "sleep-related tooth wear" or "nocturnal tooth wear", refers to the involuntary up and down movement of the jaw in the absence of significant bite stimulation, causing teeth to rub and wear against each other. This involuntary movement can be caused by a variety of reasons.

One possible cause is stress and anxiety. When we feel nervous, anxious, or stressed, our brain releases a hormone called cortisol, which causes muscle tension, including our masticatory muscles. When we fall asleep, these muscles are still in a state of tension, which leads to teeth grinding.

Another possible cause is physiological factors. Some people may have an abnormal occlusal relationship, such as misaligned teeth, chipped teeth, etc., which may cause them to need to adjust the occlusal relationship by grinding their teeth while sleeping. In addition, some medications may also affect the nervous system, causing teeth grinding.

In addition, there are some other factors that may cause us to grind our teeth while sleeping. For example, drinking alcohol may cause dry mouth, which stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva;Some diseases, such as nasal congestion and tonsil hypertrophy, may also affect the normal flow of saliva.

Overall, teeth grinding while sleeping is a normal physiological phenomenon and is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you find that your teeth are badly worn or accompanied by other symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, earache, etc., then it is best to consult a doctor to rule out possible diseases.

For teeth grinding, the first thing to do is to find out the cause of teeth grinding. If it's due to stress and anxiety, try some relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, meditation, etc. If it is due to physiological factors, orthodontics or restoration may be required. In addition, protective devices such as braces or mouth protectors can be used to reduce tooth wear.

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