Bruxism is a disease that involves individuals pressing and clenching or grinding their teeth together. Bruxism can be seen while asleep or awake, and is also divided into two categories: primary bruxism and secondary bruxism. Bruxism treatment varies depending on the person's symptoms, severity of the disease, and underlying cause. Since it can lead to serious problems in the long term, it is important to recognize bruxism and plan its treatment with appropriate methods.​

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What is Bruxism?

Bruxism means clenching or grinding the teeth other than chewing. While it often occurs during sleep, bruxism can also be seen when awake. Many people are usually unaware that they are clenching or grinding their teeth. Grinding the teeth is the rubbing of the teeth together and the chewing movement. Clenching the teeth is the holding of the teeth tightly together and the muscles remaining contracted without any back and forth movement. Clenching the teeth can be seen at night or during the day. There are certain differences between bruxism seen while sleeping and bruxism seen while awake. Bruxism can cause facial and jaw pain, jaw contraction, stiffness and headaches. In the long term, grinding the teeth can cause limited movement in the jaw joints and tooth and gum disorders. The treatment planned by the dentist usually includes the use of a teeth clenching device, mouth guard or splint. The aim is to prevent damage to the teeth and eliminate the factors that cause bruxism. These factors include sleep apnea, intense stress, and some medications.

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What are the Symptoms of Teeth Grinding While Sleeping?

Bruxism, which occurs during sleep, is a type of sleep disorder. People may notice some symptoms while awake. Symptoms include facial and jaw pain, limited jaw movement and jaw stiffness, clicking or popping sounds during jaw movements, dull headache, tooth damage and wear, broken or impacted fillings, and earaches due to damage to the joint responsible for opening and closing movements in the jaw (temporomandibular joint). Severe and persistent pain can make it difficult to determine the source of the pain. Although people with bruxism may not notice the symptoms of teeth grinding or clenching during sleep, people next to them may notice the grinding sound.

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What are the Causes of Teeth Grinding While Awake?
Bruxism seen while awake is not a sleep disorder and differs from sleep bruxism. Bruxism seen while awake is an unconscious habit. Bruxism seen while awake usually does not cause teeth grinding; however, teeth clenching and tension in the jaw joints and muscles are severe. Pain, headache and stiffness in and around the jaw are among the common symptoms. The common feature of sleep and wake bruxism is

that both occur involuntarily. The risk of bruxism is high under intense stress and in concentration.