Crux of the Brux

Stress and Teeth Grinding

Can daily stress be a cause of nightly teeth grinding? Absolutely. According to the American Dental Association, about 95% of Americans grind or clench their teeth at some point in their lives. For many of us, stress can be a major culprit. The secret to co-existing with stress is not necessarily eliminating it from daily life (that's hard to do!) but rather in managing it as best we can. Be sure to [say hello] to the DenTek Grind Guru for tips on how to do exactly that.

Other causes of bruxism

While for many of us the main cause for bruxism may be stress, tension and anxiety, bruxism can also be brought on by real dental concerns such as an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked. Bruxism may also be caused by complications of another disorder, such as sleep disorders or sinus disorders. It can be a side effect of some psychiatric medications including antidepressants.

Other psychological and/or emotional factors can also cause bruxism.
These include:

• Suppressed anger or frustration
• Type 'A' personalities - hard-driving, competitive individuals