Are You Grinding Your Teeth Too Often? Here’s What It Says About Your Emotional Stability

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition where you unconsciously grind, gnash, or clench your teeth. It can occur during the day (awake bruxism) or while you sleep (sleep bruxism).

While awake bruxism often reflects heightened stress or tension, sleep bruxism is categorised as a sleep-related movement disorder and is frequently linked to other conditions like snoring or sleep apnoea.

What Is The Link Between Bruxism And Emotional Stability?

Bruxism isn’t just about worn teeth or jaw pain, it’s often tied to your emotional and psychological state. Research highlights that individuals experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety, or frustration are more prone to teeth grinding.

Stress and Anxiety (The Primary Culprits)

• When you’re stressed or anxious, your body produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, preparing for a “fight or flight” response. Without a physical outlet, this energy can manifest in physical ways, including teeth grinding. Stress also triggers muscle tension, especially in the jaw, leading to clenching during both wakefulness and sleep.
• The earlier mentioned research has found that individuals experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression are significantly more likely to grind their teeth.
• The repetitive grinding is often a subconscious attempt to “release” built-up tension.

The Role of Emotional Stability

Emotional stability, a personality trait tied to resilience and balanced responses to stress, appears to protect against bruxism. The aforementioned study examining the relationship between personality and bruxism found that:

• People with low emotional stability (or higher neuroticism) were more prone to teeth grinding. 
• Conversely, those with high emotional stability and objectivity reported fewer instances of grinding, suggesting that calm, grounded individuals may have better coping mechanisms for stress.

Personality Types and Bruxism

Research suggests that beyond emotional stability, certain personality traits make people more susceptible to bruxism.

• Compulsive or Controlling Behaviours

These individuals often experience heightened internal pressure, leading to physical manifestations like clenching.

• Aggressiveness and Competitiveness

Those who are highly driven or impatient may unconsciously clench their teeth during moments of frustration or focus.

Also Read: Teeth Grinding In Sleep: Effective Strategies That Can Help You Stop

Why Does It Happen?

Research says that the causes of bruxism are multifactorial, involving a mix of physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors:

Lifestyle Habits

High caffeine intake, alcohol consumption, smoking, use of recreational drugs and other drugs like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can trigger or worsen bruxism.

Underlying Health Conditions

Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy, sleep issues like sleep apnea, and even conditions like Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are linked to teeth grinding.

Family History

If teeth grinding runs in your family, you might be genetically predisposed.

What Are the Consequences Of Bruxism?

Chronic teeth grinding doesn’t just wear down your enamel, it can also lead to severe issues like,

• Jaw pain and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
• Tooth sensitivity, fractures, or even tooth loss
• Sleep disturbances for you (and your partner!)
• Hearing loss and facial pain

Here’s What You Should Do About It

Your teeth can reveal more than you think about your emotional stability. Bruxism isn’t just an oral health issue, it’s a mirror reflecting your mental state. If you’re grinding your teeth too often, take it as a sign to pause, evaluate your stress levels, and make changes to prioritise both your mental and physical health. While you may place your focus on your oral health, maybe try and cast a glance at your mental well-being too. Your smile, and your emotional well-being matter.