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For about 1 out of 10 Americans, jaw clenching and teeth grinding are the coping methods for stress.

During waking hours, most people are aware that they’re doing it and can control it. Some of those people, however, carry this habit on in their sleep. Chronically clenching teeth or a clenching jaw can be bad habit, causing detrimental effects on dental health.

In the medical world, they call the bruxism. It used to be thought that the cause of bruxing was a bad bite. Dentists would correct this by filing down the teeth themselves. Nowadays, the real primary cause is known to be symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Secondary causes are related to sleeping disturbances, certain medications and a misalignment of the jaw bone or teeth. Whatever the cause is, it should be addressed sooner rather than later to prevent the need for dreaded dental procedures, such as:

• Root canals
• Implants
• Fillings
• Bridges
• Crowns
• Dentures

The most effective remedy for bruxism is a professionally fitted night mouth guard.