Teeth grinding or jaw clenching can occur during the day due to stress or concentration, but also at night. Often, you only notice it due to jaw pain, headaches, or tired chewing muscles. In this blog, you will read what jaw bruxism is, what symptoms and causes are associated with it, what you can do yourself, and when physiotherapy can help.
What is jaw bruxism?
Jaw bruxism is the collective term for unconscious clenching, grinding, or tightening of the jaw. There are two forms:
- Teeth grinding: Your teeth or molars slide over each other.
- Jaw clamps: You press your teeth or molars firmly together without a sliding motion.
At rest, your teeth should be separated. The lips are closed in a relaxed position and the tongue rests against the palate. If your jaw muscles are “on” too often, they can become overloaded.
Symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching
The symptoms vary from person to person. Common symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching are:
- jaw pain or tired chewing muscles;
- waking up with a tense jaw;
- headache, especially upon getting up;
- sensitive teeth or molars;
- wear, cracks or damage to teeth;
- pain around the jaw joint, ear, temple, or cheek;
- clicking, popping or tension in the jaw;
- neck and shoulder tension;
- sleeping worse or waking up restlessly;
- a partner who hears teeth grinding in their sleep.
An important signal is morning pain. Do you regularly wake up with a stiff jaw, headache, or pressure around your temples? Then teeth grinding during sleep may play a role.
Cause of teeth grinding and jaw clenching
The cause of teeth grinding and jaw clenching is often not a single factor. Usually, it involves a combination of tension, habits, sleep, and strain:
- stress or tension
- fatigue
- concentration work
- certain habits
- prolonged overload
What can you do about teeth grinding and jaw clenching?
An important first step is awareness. During the day, many people clench their jaws without realizing it. For example, while working on a laptop or in the car. Precisely because it happens unconsciously, the jaw remains tense for a long time. Try to check regularly:
- Are my teeth clenched?
- Am I clenching my jaw?
- Is there tension in my face?
When do you need help?
Do symptoms keep recurring, or do you find it difficult to release tension? Then jaw physiotherapy can help. Together, we will look at habits, muscle tension, and the load on the jaw so that you better understand what is perpetuating the symptoms.
Schedule an appointment at Fysi
Do you suffer from teeth grinding, jaw clenching, jaw pain, or headaches? At Fysi, we examine your jaw, chewing muscles, neck, shoulders, posture, breathing, and habits, and create a personalized treatment plan aimed at relaxation, recovery, and reducing recurring symptoms. Curious whether jaw physiotherapy can help you? Make a appointment at physio.