What is bruxism? When teeth are under pressure at night

What exactly does bruxism mean?

Der Begriff Bruxismus beschreibt das unwillkürliche Zähneknirschen oder Zähnepressen, das meist nachts während des Schlafs auftritt – manchmal aber auch tagsüber, z. B. in stressigen Situationen oder bei hoher Konzentration.
Dabei werden enorme Kräfte freigesetzt: Der Druck auf die Zähne kann ein Vielfaches der normalen Kaukraft erreichen.

There are two different types:

• Sleep bruxism: unconscious grinding or clenching during sleep

• Waking bruxism: conscious or semi-conscious clenching of the teeth during the day

Both types can put a lot of strain on the teeth, the temporomandibular joint, and the muscles.

How does bruxism develop?

There are many causes of bruxism—often a combination of several factors plays a role.

Stress and psychological strain

Emotional tension, pressure to perform, or worries are common triggers. Teeth grinding unconsciously serves to reduce inner tension—similar to a valve.

Malocclusion of teeth or jaw

An uneven bite can cause the upper and lower jaws to not meet harmoniously. The jaw joint then attempts to compensate for this "misalignment" by grinding or clenching.

Sleep disorders or certain medications

Restless sleep, sleep apnea, or taking medication (e.g., antidepressants) can contribute to bruxism.

Habits and posture

Jaw clenching while working at the computer or during periods of intense concentration is more common than many people think. Poor posture can also disrupt the interaction between the jaw and muscles.

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

Bruxism often goes undetected for a long time, as grinding usually occurs during sleep. However, there are typical signs that indicate excessive strain:

• Worn or flattened tooth edges

• Sensitive teeth or toothache

• Jaw, facial, or neck pain

• Tense jaw muscles, especially in the morning

• Jaw clicking or limited mouth opening

• Headaches, especially in the temple area

• Sleep problems or daytime fatigue

If bruxism remains untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to tooth damage, cracks in the enamel, or temporomandibular joint problems (TMD).

How is bruxism diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually made through a thorough examination by a dentist or orthodontist.

For a precise diagnosis, we use:

• Clinical examination of teeth, bite, and muscles

• Analysis of jaw movement and joint function

• 3D Scan or Functional Diagnostics

• If necessary, interdisciplinary collaboration with ENT specialists, pain specialists, or sleep medicine specialists

This allows us to determine whether there is an orthodontic malocclusion or a functional cause.

How can bruxism be treated?

The treatment depends on the specific cause. The aim is to protect the teeth, relieve the muscles, and eliminate the trigger in the long term.

Aufbiss- oder Knirscherschiene

Eine individuell angefertigte Schiene (meist aus transparentem Kunststoff) schützt die Zähne vor weiterer Abnutzung und entlastet die Kaumuskulatur. Was eine solche Schiene kostet, lesen Sie in unserem Überblick Was kostet eine Zahnschiene?
Sie wird in der Regel nachts getragen und kann Beschwerden deutlich lindern.

Orthodontic treatment

If misalignment is the cause, orthodontic treatment—such as aligners or fixed braces — can harmonize the masticatory system and thus reduce teeth grinding in the long term.

Relaxation and behavioral therapy

Bei stressbedingtem Bruxismus helfen Entspannungsverfahren wie progressive Muskelentspannung, Atemübungen oder Biofeedback.
Auch eine physiotherapeutische Begleitung kann sinnvoll sein, um Fehlhaltungen zu korrigieren.

Comprehensive Approaches

In some cases, we collaborate with other specialties—such as physical therapy, osteopathy, or pain management—to provide comprehensive treatment for the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles.

What happens if bruxism is left untreated?

If bruxism remains untreated for a long period of time, it can cause significant damage:

• Damage to teeth: flattened chewing surfaces, cracks, or loosening of teeth

• Jaw joint problems: pain, clicking, or limited mobility

• Muscle tension: Especially in the neck and shoulder area

• Headaches and sleep problems

That's why early diagnosis is important—especially if you regularly wake up with a tense jaw in the morning or your partner notices you grinding your teeth at night.

Bruxism and TMD how are they related?

Bruxismus kann eine Vorstufe oder Begleiterscheinung einer Craniomandibulären Dysfunktion (CMD) sein.
Bei CMD liegt eine Funktionsstörung zwischen Kiefergelenk, Muskulatur und Biss vor.
Durch das ständige Pressen oder Knirschen werden Gelenke und Muskeln überlastet – was zu Schmerzen, Knacken oder Bewegungseinschränkungen führen kann.

At our practice in Cologne, we regularly treat patients with TMD bruxism and develop individually tailored treatment plans.

Can bruxism be prevented?

Bruxism cannot always be prevented, but there are many things you can do to reduce the risk:

• Make sure you take regular breaks and relax in your everyday life.

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine before bedtime.

• Make sure you maintain an ergonomic posture.

• Do not chew on objects or fingernails continuously.

• Get tension treated early on

An early orthodontic examination can help to identify functional causes in good time.

Bruxism treatment in Cologne – your experts at JUST KFO

Wenn Sie vermuten, dass Sie mit den Zähnen knirschen oder morgens häufig Kieferschmerzen haben, lassen Sie die Ursache professionell abklären.
Bei JUST KFO in Köln verfügen wir über langjährige Erfahrung in der Diagnostik und Behandlung von Bruxismus und CMD.
Mit modernen Methoden, individuellen Schienen und einer umfassenden Betrachtung unterstützen wir Sie auf dem Weg zu einem entspannten Kiefer und gesunden Zähnen.

Feel free to make an appointment—we will take the time to answer your questions.