Teeth grinding

[Dorothey Allen]

Teeth grinding is clenching or grinding the teeth. Teeth grinding eventually wears down and damages teeth. The damage is often worse in people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and/or obstructive sleep apnea. Artificial dental crowns (made of gold, porcelain, or both) can be fractured, perforated, and damaged, although if porcelain is on the chewing surface, the opposing tooth may be the one that wears. Some people also develop headaches and neck and/or jaw pain because of the repeated muscle tightening.
People who grind and clench their teeth usually do not do so intentionally. The clenching is unconscious and is usually most severe during sleep. Even though they are asleep, people may clench down with a force of up to 250 pounds (1,700 kilopascals) because there is no active protective feedback mechanism. Because it is worst during sleep, people may not be aware that they clench their teeth, but family members often notice.

[Tracie Lynn]

the habit of sliding the teeth backwards and forwards over each other, often because you are anxious: