15 Health and Mental Conditions Linked to Bruxism (Teeth Grinding & Clenching)
Do you wake up with a sore jaw or notice your teeth wearing down? While many people see bruxism — teeth grinding and clenching — as just a dental issue, research shows it's often linked to certain mental health and medical conditions.
In this guide, we list 15 health and mental conditions associated with bruxism, each backed by relevant studies and research, and show how ClearClub can help you manage it.
📑 Table of Contents
The State of Mental Health Around the World and in the U.S.
With the brain as the center connecting every fiber in our body, mental health plays a crucial role in overall well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health disorders, with anxiety and depression being the most common. Studies also show that women are disproportionately affected, though men can experience these conditions as well.
According to Mental Health America (MHA), about 23.4% of adults in the U.S. showed signs of any mental illness (AMI) in 2024, while 11.3% of youth experienced major depressive episodes (MDE). States like Alabama, Arizona, and Nevada were recognized as having insufficient access to mental health care, reflecting higher challenges in prevalence and treatment.
While some mental health disorders are rooted in genetics, many develop because of life experiences. Factors such as poverty, substance abuse, violence, religious pressures, imbalanced lifestyles, and unstable relationships can all hinder mental well-being. Research also recommends a significant relationship between common mental health disorders and bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), highlighting how stress, anxiety, and other psychological factors can contribute to this dental issue.
15 Conditions That May Be Connected to Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition characterized by intense feelings of uneasiness, panic, or fear. Feeling nervous or anxious is normal, but it becomes a disorder when it hinders daily functioning, causes overreactions or leads to a loss of control.
Consequently, when a person has an anxiety disorder, their body may show physical signs of coping, includng teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism). A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that participants with higher emotional stability and objectivity experienced minimal teeth grinding, suggesting that those with lower scores are more likely to exhibit signs of bruxism. Additionally, the respondents reported experiencing other oral issues linked to bruxism, such as difficulty chewing or swallowing, dry mouth, and jaw-related problems.
Feeling anxious? Try these: Seven-Hacks For Managing Stress (And Bruxism, Too)
Depression
Depression is the second most common mental health disorder, after anxiety. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), it is a condition that negatively affects how a person discerns the world and functions in daily life. Everyone feels sad sometimes — but depression goes beyond that. People with depression may experience feelings of hopelessness, lose interest in social activities or hobbies, have disrupted sleep or appetite, and sometimes have thoughts of death.
In relation to bruxism, research indicates that people suffering from depression are more prone to awake bruxism, characterized by teeth grinding and clenching during daytime hours.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that causes intense mood swings. These swings are categorized into two: emotional highs (mania and hypomania) and emotional lows (depression). The highs involve surges of energy, euphoria, and excitement, while the lows consist of depressive episodes.
The distress and frustration from these frequent mood shifts can lead some people with bipolar disorder to exhibit bruxism. PsychCentral notes that bruxism is one of the most common dental issues in individuals with bipolar disorder, alongside cavities and dry mouth.
Stress and Trauma-Related Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A mental health condition where the sufferer harbors repetitive, unfavorable, and unhealthy obsessions that ultimately urge them to act compulsively is called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Even though having recurring thoughts is normal for some people, those with OCD experience great distress when these compulsions aren't immediately acted upon.
Since bruxism is considered a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB), and BFRBs are classified as OCD-related disorders, people with OCD may exhibit co-occuring patterns of teeth grinding and clenching alongside the mental health condition, according to NOCD (Treat My OCD).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Individuals exposed to extremely stressful, violent, or traumatic events may develop a mental health condition known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). People living with PTSD often experience distressing flashbacks of the traumatic event, along with intense feelings of anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal.
According to The Psych Collective, PTSD and bruxism often go hand in hand. Factors such as heightened sensitivity to perceived danger, imbalances between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, constant muscle tension, and elevated adrenaline levels can all contribute to teeth grinding and clenching.
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but it usually develops from prolonged or repeated trauma rather than a single traumatic event. Since CPTSD shares many of the same symptoms as PTSD, individuals with the condition may also be more likely to experience bruxism.
Looking for effective stress management techniques to help with CPTSD symptoms? Find out here: Your Ultimate Guide to Stopping Bruxism
Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Disorders
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong condition that can affect a person's ability to perform well, especially in school or at work. While it is more prevalent in children and adolescents, adults can be diagnosed with ADHD too. Many people with ADHD are especially sensitive to criticism — whether from others or from themselves. They may also struggle with inattention, impulsivity, and restlessness.
When it comes to bruxism, a 2020 study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews reported a notable link between ADHD and both awake and sleep bruxism, suggesting they may share similar underlying causes.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
According to the CDC, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects social communication and interaction, and is often linked with restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests. Similarly, people with ADHD may also struggle with additional mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, especially as children grow into adolescence and adulthood.
In relation to bruxism, Golden Care Therapy notes that research has shown a strong link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and teeth grinding or clenching. This may be because bruxism acts as a self-regulatory mechanism, helping individuals with autism ground themselves during moments of distress.
Asperger's Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental condition within the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) umbrella. People with Asperger's often face challenges in forming relationships and may have above-average intelligence, yet struggle to pick up on social cues, sarcasm, and idiomatic expressions.
Since Asperger's falls under the Autism Spectrum Disorder umbrella, individuals with Asperger's may engage in bruxism as a way to cope with stress or regulate sensory input. Excessive teeth grinding or clenching can, in turn, increase the risk of oral health issues such as periodontal disease, malocclusion, and tooth wear.
Tourette's Syndrome
Tourette's Syndrome is a neurological condition marked by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations called tics. Tics are generally categorized as either simple or complex, based on the muscle groups involved. It's also important to note that tics can become more recurring when a person is sick, stressed, or feeling overwhelmed.
Because of these involuntary movements, people with Tourette's may also experience sleep problems, including bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching). In some cases, this teeth grinding can be a type of dystonic tic — a complex movement that briefly forces the body into unusual postures.
Neurodegenerative Conditions
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a nervous system disorder that affects movement, often making motor skills slower or more difficult, and in extreme cases, severely impaired. People with Parkinson's may also experience non-movement-related challenges, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Since bruxism doesn't always have a single, universal cause, Medical News Today explains that Parkinson's Disease is considered one of the neurological conditions that can trigger secondary bruxism — the type that occurs as a result of underlying medical factors.
Huntington's Disease
As the Cleveland Clinic explains, Huntington's Disease is a progressive genetic disorder that damages nerve cells in the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movement. People with this condition may struggle with speech and jaw movements, and may also experience emotional challenges such as depression and frustration. It is also one of the neurological conditions recognized for triggering secondary bruxism, similar to Parkinson's Disease.
Physical/Chronic Health Conditions
Crohn's Disease
Now, let's talk about conditions that are not tied to mental health. Crohn's Disease, for example, is an inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD) that happens when the digestive tract gets inflamed. At first, it might look like it is irrelevant to teeth grinding, but studies show otherwise — chronic inflammation, stress, and an overactive immune system linked to IBD can actually trigger bruxism.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder where the brain and nervous system can't properly manage the sleep-wake cycle. People with this condition can suddenly fall asleep, even in the middle of doing something.
In connection to bruxism, a 2017 study published in Sleep and Breathing found that individuals with narcolepsy type 1 are more likely to experience teeth grinding, possibly due to disruptions in REM sleep and heightened arousal during rest.
Ehler's-Danlos Syndrome
A condition that involves overly-flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin is called Ehler's-Danlos Syndrome. It is a genetic disorder that impacts a person's network of issues. Concerning bruxism, a 2021 review published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics noted that people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome often experience Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Since TMD is one of the complications that commonly manifest in individuals with EDS, intensified bruxism may occur due to the pain and instability in the Temporomandibular Joint.
Curious how bruxism affects your jaw joints? Don't miss our next read: The Relationship Between Bruxism and TMJ
How ClearClub Can Help Protect Your Teeth
We know how tough it can be to handle both mental health challenges and bruxism. To get the best source of comfortability and protection, try one of our custom-fit night guards.
Our Clear Custom Night Guard comes in three thicknesses — 1.3mm, 2mm. and 3mm — to match your needs. For a splash of color, check out our Color Night Guard or Multi-Color Night Guard, both in 2mm.
Each guard combines a durable exterior with a soft inner layer, made from FDA-approved, BPA-free, latex-free, and non-allergenic materials. You can also subscribe to our renewal plan for easy replacements.
Bruxism doesn't have to be another stressor. Get your custom night guard and rest easier tonight.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can anxiety and stress cause bruxism?
Definitely. Stress is one of the leading causes of bruxism. It affects key areas of the brain that regulate voluntary muscle movement. When you’re feeling anxious or distressed, your body may unconsciously respond with self-soothing behaviors — like teeth grinding or clenching.
❓ Which mental health conditions are associated with bruxism?
Bruxism is often connected to both mental health and neurological conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, PTSD, and Tourette’s syndrome. It can also appear alongside certain physical disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Crohn’s disease — since many of these share similar neurological or stress-related triggers.
❓ How does a night guard help if your bruxism is linked to mental health?
A night guard can be especially helpful for people managing mental health conditions that contribute to bruxism. It acts as a protective barrier between your teeth, preventing damage that could lead to more serious and costly dental issues like cracks, chips, or enamel erosion.
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