Why Do I Grind My Teeth?

Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw or notice that your teeth feel sensitive? Maybe someone has told you that you grind your teeth at night, but you have no idea why. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Teeth grinding—also known as bruxism—is more common than you might think, and the causes can vary from person to person.

At Pitt Street Dental Centre in Sydney CBD, we see many patients struggling with unconscious teeth grinding, and the first step to finding relief is understanding what’s behind it.

1. Breathing Issues & Sleep Apnoea

One of the most surprising reasons behind teeth grinding is upper airway obstruction. If your airway is blocked while sleeping—possibly due to conditions like sleep apnoea—your brain sends signals to your body to open the airway. This often triggers jaw movement and clenching, which leads to grinding.

For some people, grinding is actually a subconscious attempt to reposition the jaw for better airflow. This is especially common in children who grind their teeth at night.

2. Stress & Anxiety

Stress is a big culprit when it comes to bruxism. With the fast pace of life, deadlines, responsibilities, and daily pressures, many people clench or grind their teeth without realising it.

• Daytime clenching – If you catch yourself clenching during stressful moments, this can carry over into your sleep.
• Nighttime grinding – Often happens as a response to stress or tension that builds up throughout the day.

Over time, this constant pressure can wear down your teeth, cause jaw pain, and even lead to headaches.

3. Bite Misalignment

Your teeth are meant to fit together in a specific way, but if your bite isn’t properly aligned, your jaw may naturally try to adjust—which can result in grinding.
 

• An uneven bite can cause your muscles to work harder than they should, leading to excess tension and grinding.
• This is your body’s way of compensating for the imbalance, almost as if it’s trying to “fix” the problem on its own.

4. Habitual Grinding

For some people, grinding is simply a long-term habit. You may have started as a child or teenager, and over time, it became something your body does automatically.
 

• • Sometimes, we grind our teeth without any clear medical reason—it’s just something that has developed over time.
    The problem? This can lead to excessive enamel wear, making teeth more prone to sensitivity, chips, and fractures.

What Can You Do About It?

The first step to stopping teeth grinding is understanding why it’s happening. Because bruxism is often caused by a combination of factors, a comprehensive assessment is key.

• If airway issues are involved, you may need a sleep study or treatment for sleep apnoea.
• If stress is the main cause, relaxation techniques and night guards can help protect your teeth.
• If bite misalignment is contributing to grinding, orthodontic treatments or adjustments may be the best solution.

At Pitt Street Dental Centre, we’ve helped thousands of patients manage their teeth grinding and prevent long-term damage. If you’re waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, don’t ignore it—there are solutions available.

Find Relief from Teeth Grinding Today

If you’re experiencing symptoms of bruxism, call us or complete our booking form here to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll identify the cause and create a tailored plan to protect your smile.

The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. Pitt Street Dental Centre does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the content.

The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional personal diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the Site.

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