Dear doctor;

I tend to grind my teeth a lot especially if I am bored with nothing much to do. My wife complains that I grind noisily at night. Is there a way to stop this habit in old age?

Michael N, 34

Dear Michael,

The habit of crushing, grinding or clenching teeth (Bruxism) usually occurs due to stress or anxiety in majority of people occasionally. It is also said to occur due to missing or broken teeth. However if it occurs regularly, it is a matter of concern. Use of alcohol or coffee can also cause this. Habit of chewing pencils or any non edible item during day time can lead  to teeth grinding during sleep. It may sometimes be associated with  obstructive sleep apnoea which occurs due to obesity or cardiac problems.

Regular grinding of teeth can result in broken, deformed teeth.  Bruxism can cause pain in the temporomandibular joint, Ear ache and headache can also occur due to this habit. Most importantly, it can alter facial appearance towards the negative side. Try to relax completely physically and mentally. Cut down on café and alcohol. If habit of chewing objects is present, try to overcome it, by being vigilant. 

If the habit continues, consult a dentist. He will give you a mouth  guard to protect the teeth. If there are other deformed teeth, they will be taken care of by suitable procedures like crowning, dental implants, etc.