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Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Overview

Open all pages about Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Teeth grinding is usually caused by stress and anxiety. But it can also be related to sleep problems, taking certain medicines, smoking and alcohol.

Things you can do to help reduce teeth grinding include relaxing, practising good sleep habits and taking painkillers to reduce any pain or swelling.

Jaw clenching and teeth grinding are the main symptoms of bruxism. But you may also have other symptoms including face and jaw pain and headaches.

A dentist may recommend a mouth guard or mouth splint if you grind your teeth. It fits over your teeth and stops you grinding and damaging them.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is often related to stress or anxiety. There are things you can do and treatments to help you stop grinding your teeth.

Page last reviewed: 27/06/2022
Next review due: 27/06/2025