Bruxism and the Brain

Do you grind your teeth at night? Bruxism is the technical term for teeth grinding or teeth clenching that usually occurs in sleep. Bruxism may lead to jaw pain, shoulder pain, ear ache, and all sorts of other physical ailments.

Have you ever wondered why some people grind their teeth at night? Some people clench their jaw and grind their teeth during the day, but nocturnal or night-time bruxism is what I’m referring to right now. I know many people who grind their teeth in their sleep and they have to wear night guards to protect the enamel on their teeth. There are many theories behind nocturnal bruxism, but I doubt that anyone really knows why people grind their teeth. There may be a host of different reasons why certain people struggle with bruxism. Allow me to share my thoughts on some of the major theories behind unexplained bruxism.

Anger: There are many who think that people who have suppressed anger release their anger at night by grinding their feet. Does it make sense that people would clench and grind their teeth if they were trying to release their suppressed anger? Is the brain releasing anger by clenching teeth? Perhaps it is a natural reaction that cannot be controlled unless the anger someone gets eliminated. I wonder if some people have a chronic level of anger that never goes away. If anger is building up and growing, then it could take many years before the anger goes away. Maybe if some people are not in touch with their feelings, then they may not realize how much anger they have building up inside of themselves. It’s important for people to be connected with their feelings so that they can recognize their feelings and deal with them appropriately. Otherwise, suppressed emotions may express themselves in unusual ways.

Anxiety: Anxiety comes in various forms. For some, it is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Others may have a combination of anxiety and depression. Anxiety may be suppressed or hidden in others. So, is bruxism a way the brain releases some of the tension caused by anxiety? Is it possible that the brain tries to escape anxiety by gnashing teeth? If my theory is correct, then people who receive treatment for their anxiety should have less bruxism. Does this happen?

Stress: Everyone experiences stress, but everyone doesn’t struggle with nocturnal bruxism. If some people live with a constant level of stress due to work or family problems, could this lead to bruxism? If people actively practice relaxation techniques, could this lead to a reduction in bruxism?

Mental trauma: Some people may encounter some type of severe mental trauma in their life. As a result, they may have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This type of mental trauma may manifest itself in different types of bodily symptoms ranging from headaches, body aches, and other types of ailments. At night, could this also be expressed through bruxism? Is it possible that the brain tries to escape this mental trauma by clenching the jaw?

In the future, perhaps we’ll understand what causes bruxism and discover a cure. Until that day arrives, we can only consider various theories offered by clinicians and researchers.