Bruxism

Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:

Tooth hypersensitivity
Neck pain or soreness
Severe pain in the face
Sore jaw muscles
A stuck jaw (that doesn’t open or close properly)
Pain similar to an earache (without symptoms of ear infection or other ear problems)
Damage to the inside of the cheek (from the chewing movement of the teeth)
Dull headache (which may start in the temples)
Tension headache
Frequent morning headaches (headaches that occur upon waking)
Damage to dental work (such as crowns or restorations/fillings)
Abnormal tooth wear (flattened, chipped, or loose teeth or worn enamel)
Teeth grinding or clenching (may be noticed by a sleeping partner or may be loud enough to wake a person)
Sleep interruption (probably due to waking up to grinding noise)

Interestingly, the two different types of bruxism, nighttime and awake, are thought to have different origins, although the exact cause of bruxism is not fully understood. Some experts believe that bruxism can involve multiple factors. “Nocturnal bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea),” says the Mayo Clinic.

Other causes that may be associated with bruxism include:

Certain types of medications (such as antidepressants)

Withdrawal from drugs

Missing or crooked teeth

An abnormal bite

Other underlying medical conditions missing or crooked teeth.