Common Risk Factors And Causes Of Teeth Grinding

Jaw Posture

The posture of the jaw can have a big effect on grinding. If individuals hold their jaw in a tense position or clench it, they'll be more likely to grind their teeth. As mentioned, chewing on anything other than food, including chewing gum, can cause jaws to become used to grinding. It's important to train oneself to have a more relaxed jaw posture. If individuals have noticed they clench their jaw or grind their teeth throughout the day, they should put the tip of their tongue between their teeth to relax their jaw muscles. Another way to relax jaw muscles before bed is to hold a warm washcloth to their cheek, just in front of their earlobe. The warmth will automatically cause the jaw to relax.

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Certain Medications

Certain medications can cause bruxism as a side effect. The side effect often isn't significant enough to cause permanent damage, but if individuals notice they're experiencing unusual jaw pain after starting a new medication, they might want to ask their dentist if they should wear a mouthguard. If the dentist is concerned enough about the teeth grinding that they think the patient should stop the medication, the patient should talk to their doctor about if an alternative treatment option is the right choice. Psychiatric medications like antidepressants are likely to cause bruxism. Researchers believe antidepressants and antipsychotics might cause effects on the central nervous system that cause individuals to clench their jaw and grind their teeth. Some of the most likely medications to cause this side effect are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are commonly prescribed as anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications. Individuals are more likely to develop bruxism if you take sertraline, fluoxetine, and paroxetine.

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