Clenching or grinding your teeth occasionally is normal and typically won’t cause damage, but when done regularly, it can harm your teeth and cause other oral health issues. Teeth grinding can have different causes, but often it’s triggered by stress, medical conditions, or crooked or missing teeth.

Grinding typically occurs during sleep, so it can be hard for people to know whether they have bruxism. Signs include a sore jaw or constant headache, and a partner can sometimes hear the grinding. Your dentist can also look for symptoms, like changes or abnormalities in your teeth as well as jaw tenderness.

“ Whether you opt for a major sweat session or just a stroll, working out helps alleviate stress, which is a common cause of bruxism.”

Severe bruxism can lead to loose or broken teeth and can wear them down so much that crowns, implants, root canals, bridges, or dentures may be needed. It can also damage your jaw, lead to hearing loss, and change the shape of your face.