While you can treat the symptoms – by wearing a mouthguard, for example – getting to the source of what’s causing your teeth grinding is just as important, says dental sleep specialist, Dr Aditi Desai.
“Too often,” she says, “dentists give out mouthguards without checking why it is happening.”
It’s vital that serious, underlying conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are considered, she says. OSA is caused by a blocked airway, so a patient may grind their teeth to move the blockage in order to be able to breathe again.
“That’s a very good example of why bruxism can keep you alive,” says Prof Frank Lobbezoo, a leading researcher on the condition.
And even though bruxism has its negatives (tooth damage, sleep disruption, jaw ache, to name but a few), it’s not always the “bad guy”, he explains.
“Bruxism is also important for the production of saliva,” Lobbezoo says. “Moving the jaw muscles activates the big salivary glands. It cleans the mouth, it protects the teeth and it’s vital for digestion.”
Some studies also suggest that chewing can help with cognition.
“We know this in animals, and our preliminary research is showing it in humans,” he says. “By working our jaw muscles we are stimulating blood flow to the brain.”
But teeth grinding can also cause chronic pain, which can have a huge impact on your daily life.