Why Do I Grind My Teeth At Night?

Bruxism or teeth grinding is a condition wherein a person excessively grinds or clenches his or her teeth. Most of the time, teeth grinding and clenching happen at night, but some persons also show this conscious or unconscious habit during the day.

Causes of Teeth Grinding

If you also have bruxism and are hounded with the question “Why do I grind my teeth at night?” here are the possible reasons why you have this dental issue:

Stress and anxiety

Various studies show that stress is the top cause of bruxism. A person who is continuously experiencing some form of stress, anxiety and even depression is more prone to grinding and clenching their teeth while they are asleep and sometimes, even when they are awake.

Sleep disorders

Different forms of sleeping disorders including apnea are related to teeth grinding. People who snore and experience breathing pauses during sleep are at a higher risk of developing bruxism as well.

Unhealthy lifestyle

Our friends at Laurich Dentistry agree that people with unhealthy lifestyle are also prone to grinding their teeth at night. If you drink alcohol excessively, smoke, and have more than six cups of coffee or tea every day, it is highly likely that bruxism will be in your future, if you are not suffering from it already.

Excessive use of recreational drugs such as ecstasy or cocaine and stimulants can lead to teeth grinding as well.

Minimizing or cutting out these triggers can help reduce bruxism.

Malocclusion and other occlusal issues

Malocclusion refers to an unusual contact between the upper and lower teeth. Abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth can cause discomfort and lead to teeth grinding.

This dental issue is often caused by:

• Tooth loss
• Erupting wisdom tooth
• An extra tooth
• Incorrect contact of a crown with the opposing jaw

The good news is that malocclusion can be treated by replacing a missing tooth with a crown, denture, or implant. In case your wisdom tooth has erupted, consider having it extracted especially if it is causing you discomfort. You will also need to have your crown replaced if this is the reason behind your uneven bite.  

Side effect of certain medications and medical conditions

Lastly, studies also show that bruxism can be a drug side effect. Persons taking prescribed psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics and antidepressants may develop teeth grinding.

Certain medical conditions such as Huntington’s disease and acid reflux include bruxism as a symptom as well.

Failing to address this dental issue will do nothing good to your oral and overall health. If you are aware that you are grinding your teeth at night or your loved one tells you that you have this dental problem, see your Shreveport dentist as soon as possible.