Psychosomatics of teeth grinding (bruxism)
Bruxism is clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, most often in your sleep. In the morning your jaw, face and head may hurt and your teeth may wear down. The causes are not fully understood, and stress and anxiety are often involved. A dentist can help: they will check your teeth and fit a mouth guard. If your jaw will not open or the pain spreads to your chest, it is urgent. The Ladder method adds questions about what you "clench" inside.
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When to see a doctor
Start with a dentist: they will examine your teeth and jaw joint and suggest a mouth guard. The NHS advises seeing a dentist if you wake up with jaw or face pain, your teeth are wearing down or people close to you hear grinding. If stress or sleep are the cause, a general practitioner can help.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method bruxism is not explained by "you are angry and silent", and it is not your fault that your teeth grind. It is a habit of the muscles that stress, sleep, caffeine and medicines make stronger. But the NHS names anxiety and stress as common causes, so questions to yourself are appropriate here.
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In the method, the image that fits the teeth is "gritted teeth": you hold back words, anger and disagreement because you "must not". It is an image, not the cause of the illness, and it does not replace a dentist.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "I cannot say what I think" and "I have to put up with it". You can work through them while the dentist protects your teeth.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Grinding in sleep that people close to you hear
- Pain in the jaw, face or temples in the morning
- Worn, chipped or sensitive teeth
- Clicking or stiffness in the jaw joint
- A clenched jaw during the day, especially at work
- Poor sleep and tiredness in the morning
What medicine knows
Bruxism is a habit of clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth. It happens more often in sleep, and many people find out about it from family members who hear the grinding, or from a dentist (NHS). There is also daytime bruxism: you catch yourself clenching your jaw at work or behind the wheel.
Signs: pain in the jaw and face, morning headaches, sensitive or worn teeth, a clicking joint and poor sleep. The NHS writes that the exact cause is not known, but it is most often linked to stress and anxiety, as well as caffeine, alcohol, smoking, some medicines and breathing problems in sleep.
What helps: a mouth guard made by a dentist to fit your bite, work on stress and sleep, less coffee and alcohol in the afternoon, relaxing the jaw during the day (lips together, teeth apart). Do not chew pens or gum.
If bruxism is not treated, teeth can wear down and crack, and the jaw joint can hurt. The sooner you see a dentist, the less you will have to fix later.
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Frequently asked questions
Can teeth grinding come from stress?
Yes. The NHS names stress and anxiety as common causes of bruxism, as well as caffeine, alcohol, smoking, some medicines and sleep problems. A dentist can protect your teeth with a mouth guard, and a general practitioner or an anxiety specialist can work with the stress.
What does bruxism mean in psychosomatics?
There is no proven "meaning" of bruxism. In the Ladder method clenched teeth are a reason to ask yourself what you hold back and what you stay silent about. It is a question for yourself, not a diagnosis.
How can I stop grinding my teeth in my sleep?
The NHS advises a mouth guard from a dentist, less coffee and alcohol, relaxing the jaw during the day and work on stress and sleep. You cannot switch the habit off at once, so get your teeth checked.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.