Common Risk Factors And Causes Of Teeth Grinding

Increased Stress

If individuals are dealing with increased stress and anxiety, they're far more likely to begin grinding their teeth. They might do it unconsciously during the day, as they're trying to deal with the stress of day-to-day life. Alternatively, individuals might begin to grind their teeth in their sleep as their brain tries to sort through all the stresses and mishaps from the day. In fact, high stress and anxiety tend to be the most common reason linked to bruxism. When individuals clench their teeth, their body naturally releases a stress hormone called cortisol. During stressful situations, cortisol rises as the adrenal gland releases it. High cortisol can make individuals more alert, but they can also make them tenser and more stressed out. Even if individuals haven't had significantly increased stress recently, if they're dealing with ongoing chronic stress, they might unexpectedly develop a teeth grinding habit. Individuals going through stressful life periods are more likely to grind their teeth to help deal.

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