What does it mean to grind your teeth?

Bruxism, medically termed as bruxism, is an involuntary behavior characterized by the grinding of upper and lower teeth against each other during sleep or while awake. This phenomenon may be caused by psychological, neurological, or occlusal factors and represents a harmful form of non-physiological tooth contact. 1. Psychological factors: Teeth grinding mainly occurs due to prolonged mental tension and excessive stress, which can lead to neurological abnormalities, causing clenching of teeth during the day or grinding at night. Appropriate relaxation and reduced workload may help alleviate symptoms. 2. Neurological factors: Teeth grinding might also result from dysfunction of the central nervous system, and could even be associated with conditions such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. A prompt electroencephalogram (EEG) examination at the hospital is recommended. 3. Occlusal factors: Usually, long-term tooth loss leading to tilting of adjacent teeth or habitual chewing on one side can cause uneven wear on both sides of the dental arches, resulting in occlusal dysfunction and inducing bruxism. A comprehensive dental examination should be conducted promptly.