Bruxism ~ A Daily Grind
Some people habitually and unconsciously bite down with too much force---
during sleep, during stressful situations, or at other non-mealtimes.
This harmful habit is called bruxism, and is common in about one third
of the general population, although it's even more prevalent amongst women.
The inappropriate tendency to constantly clench or grind the teeth is typically related to how a person handles stress and nervous tension: often, bruxers are those personality types who react to stress with anger, pain, frustration, or aggressively and competitively. Sometimes bruxism is even a conscious act, as some people erroneously believe their teeth should constantly be touching. People with bruxism often have other 'biting' habits as well: such as biting fingernails, pencils, lips, or the insides of their cheeks.
A Painful Price
Sometimes, bruxers are entirely unaware of their habit. For this reason, your dentist will generally do an automatic check for such a problem. Any or all of the following warning signs might indicate to your dentist that you need help overcoming bruxism: unexplained sensitivity in teeth and gums, jaw pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, popping and clicking jaws, tense muscles, headaches, excessive wear or flatness on teeth, worn enamel, exposed and sensitive tooth interior (dentin), and/or tongue indentations. In fact, the entire jaw may move out of balance as a result of frequent clenching and grinding of the teeth.