Teeth Grinding & Jaw Pain: Managing Stress-Related Oral Issues

Do you ever wake up with a stiff jaw, dull headaches, or notice wear on your teeth you can't explain? You might be dealing with bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) or a TMJ disorder. These conditions often sneak up quietly, but if left untreated, they can lead to significant discomfort or long-term damage.

Did You Know?

• TMJ disorders affect approximately 25 - 30% of the population across North America, including Canada.
• The Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recognized TMJ dysfunction as a common condition impacting jaw movement and quality of life.
• 90% of patients seeking treatment are women of childbearing age, and TMDs may coexist with 30+ other health conditions, including migraines, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bruxism: Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Bruxism can occur while you're awake - often triggered by stress or intense focus - or while you sleep. Common causes include:

• Stress, anxiety, or poor sleep quality
• Misaligned bite or teeth
• Certain medications or habits (e.g., nail-biting, chewing pens)

Over time, grinding puts extra pressure on your teeth and jaw joints, which can cause discomfort and enamel wear.

TMJ Disorders: More Common Than You Think

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your jaw to your skull, and dysfunction here can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving your jaw. Millions of Canadians experience this regularly.

Signs to Watch For:

• Jaw soreness or stiffness, especially in the morning
• Headaches or facial pain
• Earaches or a "full" feeling in the ears
• Clicking, popping, or locking of the jaw
• Tooth sensitivity or flattening
• Sensitivity to hot or cold foods

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it's a good idea to bring them up at your next dental visit.

How It's Diagnosed

TMD is typically diagnosed through a combination of a patient's medical history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging. Our dentist will assess jaw movement, listen for joint sounds like clicking or popping, and check for areas of tenderness. In more complex cases, diagnostic tools like panoramic X-rays, CBCT scans, or MRI may be used to get a better look at the temporomandibular joint and surrounding areas more closely.

How It's Treated

Treatment is personalized, often combining several approaches to reduce strain, relieve symptoms, and protect your smile:

• Custom Nightguard: A custom mouthguard to protect teeth while sleeping
• Stress Management: Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or jaw exercises
• Physiotherapy or Medication: To ease muscle pain or reduce inflammation
• Dental Adjustments: Restoring or realigning teeth to balance your bite

Most importantly, managing stress and building small daily habits like keeping your lips together, teeth apart, and jaw relaxed can make a big difference.

Teeth grinding and TMJ pain may seem like isolated dental problems, but they reflect the complex interactions among your muscles, joints, bite alignment, and daily stress. With early recognition and a combined, patient-centred plan, including self-care, nightguards, behavioural changes, and, if needed, medical or dental interventions, you can protect your teeth, ease your jaw, and reclaim comfort.

If you're experiencing jaw soreness, headaches, or signs of tooth wear, schedule a consultation with our dental team today!