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What Are the Main Causes of Jaw Clenching?

Marlene Garcia
Marlene Garcia

The main causes of jaw clenching might be linked to stress, ear problems, or teething in young children. Misalignment of the teeth might provoke jaw clenching that leads to pain or joint problems. The exact cause of this condition is not well understood, but daytime stress could lead to grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw during sleep.

Jaw clenching, called bruxism, affects the muscles in the neck, jaw, and face, which might become painful. Earaches and headaches represent other common symptoms of this disorder. Some patients who have this condition discover it removes the enamel coating on teeth, making them sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet food and beverages. Clenching the jaw and grinding teeth might also cause temporomandibular joint disease (TMD).

A mouth guard protects the surface of teeth from further damage due to grinding.
A mouth guard protects the surface of teeth from further damage due to grinding.

TMD might become extremely painful with continued jaw clenching that puts pressure on the lower jaw joints. These joints connect to the skull in front of the ears and permit opening and closing of the mouth. Patients with TMD might hear a popping sound when they chew food or open their mouths. Pain might be present in the head or face from tightening muscles around the joint.

Applying ice to the jaw is a simple home remedy for TMD.
Applying ice to the jaw is a simple home remedy for TMD.

Clenching that leads to joint disorders might wear down cartilage and alter the alignment of the joint. In chronic cases, the jaw might become locked when it is opened or closed. TMD might also change the way teeth are aligned in the mouth, making eating difficult and painful. Mouth guards worn at night might prevent clenching and damage to teeth. Splints worn in the mouth might also keep the mouth relaxed while sleeping.

Teething may cause jaw clenching.
Teething may cause jaw clenching.

Treatment of bruxism typically involves teaching the patient to relax facial muscles during the day to ease pressure on the joints. Stretching exercises and massage might ease muscle tension and restore normal functioning. Massage might focus on trigger points, defined as small, uncomfortable bumps near the jaw that develop from tension. Reducing daily stress might also reduce the amount of clenching during sleep.

Jaw clenching may develop in response to stress.
Jaw clenching may develop in response to stress.

Doctors treating this disorder typically rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Ear infections commonly cause pain near the jaw that can be addressed with medication. Dental problems might be corrected through orthodontic procedures to realign the patient’s teeth. Poor posture, especially strain on the neck from long hours in the forward position, might contribute to pain in the neck, face, or jaw from muscle strain. Working at a computer without taking breaks might provoke symptoms similar to TMD.

Discussion Comments

irontoenail

@pleonasm - You might actually be teeth grinding in your sleep, if you are having trouble with your fillings. It might be a good idea to get that checked out by another dentist just in case, because it can lead to long term damage if it isn't stopped.

It's kind of weird that we can do these sorts of things to our bodies involuntarily.

pleonasm

@umbra21 - I have the same problem with jaw clenching, but I thought at first that I had some kind of nerve disease or a problem with my teeth, because the pain didn't seem to have a cause.

I went to the dentist and he told me that I just have a jaw shape that puts a lot of pressure on a particular point. He told me I shouldn't chew gum or I would make it worse and that I was always going to have problems keeping any fillings in good shape.

He wasn't wrong about that. Thank goodness I don't have many fillings, but they always seem to crack or fall out within a couple of years. It's very expensive although it doesn't tend to be painful on my teeth. I do still sometimes get the pain in my jaw, but I'm better at relaxing everything now, so it goes away pretty quickly.

umbra21

I don't think I grind my teeth but I do clench my jaw whenever I start feeling very stressed over a long period of time and it always leads to pain in my jaw and neck. It's extremely irritating because once the pain starts it's even more difficult to relax and that's the only way to get rid of it.

I have to take painkillers and completely vary my routine every time it happens in the hope that I will relax, which is impossible when I'm on a deadline. So usually I just end up bearing it until it goes away.

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    • A mouth guard protects the surface of teeth from further damage due to grinding.
      By: conejota
      A mouth guard protects the surface of teeth from further damage due to grinding.
    • Applying ice to the jaw is a simple home remedy for TMD.
      By: liveostockimages
      Applying ice to the jaw is a simple home remedy for TMD.
    • Teething may cause jaw clenching.
      By: Pavla Zakova
      Teething may cause jaw clenching.
    • Jaw clenching may develop in response to stress.
      By: kmiragaya
      Jaw clenching may develop in response to stress.
    • Bruxism can contribute to headaches and earaches.
      By: MediablitzImages
      Bruxism can contribute to headaches and earaches.
    • Ear infections frequently cause pain near the jaw.
      By: Von Schonertagen
      Ear infections frequently cause pain near the jaw.
    • Jaw clenching may eventually cause the jaw to become locked when opened.
      By: brankatekic
      Jaw clenching may eventually cause the jaw to become locked when opened.