Bruxism: Causes, Treatments, and Medications That Help

When you grind your teeth at night—often without even knowing it—you’re dealing with bruxism, a condition where clenching or grinding teeth occurs during sleep or while awake, often linked to stress, sleep disorders, or neurological factors. Also known as teeth grinding, it’s not just a nuisance; it can wear down enamel, crack teeth, and cause chronic jaw pain. Many people only find out they have it when a dentist notices the damage, or a partner hears the grinding. It affects up to 8% of adults regularly, and even more occasionally, especially under stress or during periods of anxiety.

Bruxism doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It often ties into other conditions like sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, where the body clenches the jaw to reopen the airway. It’s also linked to stress, particularly chronic anxiety or high-pressure lifestyles that keep the nervous system on high alert. And yes, some medications can make it worse—antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs, which you might be taking for mood or pain, can increase grinding as a side effect. If you’re on one of those and notice new jaw pain, it’s worth talking to your doctor.

The good news? You don’t have to live with it. Mouth guards, made by a dentist, are the most common fix—they protect teeth from wear and reduce muscle strain. But sometimes, the root cause needs attention. Muscle relaxants taken before bed can help ease overnight clenching. In cases tied to anxiety, short-term use of benzodiazepines, like low-dose clonazepam, can calm the nervous system enough to stop grinding, though they’re not for long-term use. Lifestyle changes matter too: cutting caffeine, avoiding alcohol at night, and doing jaw stretches can all help. And if your grinding happens mostly when you’re awake, becoming aware of it and consciously relaxing your jaw can make a big difference.

What you’ll find below are real, practical guides on how bruxism connects to medications, sleep problems, and muscle control. You’ll see how drugs like benzodiazepines and SNRIs play a role, what alternatives exist, and how to spot if something you’re taking is making it worse. No fluff. Just what works—and what doesn’t.