Jaw clenching and teeth grinding, known as bruxism, is a common condition. It often happens during sleep but can also occur while awake. Around 21 percent of people worldwide experience sleep bruxism, and 23 percent have awake bruxism. In North America, sleep bruxism affects about 31 percent of the population. Bruxism is even more common in children and teens. Some people wonder if there’s a connection between their migraine attacks and bruxism.

A MyMigraineTeam member shared their experience with bruxism and headaches: “Due to gritting my teeth, my jaw has been hurting. I wonder if it is contributing to my migraine.” Some research suggests that migraine and bruxism may be related, and other research shows that teeth grinding and jaw clenching may increase your chances of developing morning headaches and tension headaches.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism involves repetitive contraction of the jaw muscles (often defined as grinding or clenching) that can occur while you’re awake or asleep.

Recent survey feedback from the American Dental Association found that 70 percent of dentists have seen increasing cases of jaw or teeth clenching and grinding.

Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth or clench their jaw until they start noticing symptoms of bruxism including:

• Jaw pain
• Tooth pain
• Facial pain
• Jaw soreness or stiffness
• Headaches
• Sensitive teeth
• Tooth cracking or chipping

When bruxism occurs during sleep (sleep bruxism), it’s considered a sleep disorder. It’s often associated with other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. Tooth grinding may also be a side effect of using antidepressants.

Bruxism may also be associated with temporomandibular disorders. Bruxism can cause long-term damage to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to oral health issues such as jaw dysfunction, chronic pain, tooth damage, and tooth loss. As a MyMigraineTeam member who grinds their teeth said, “I have found more recently that my grinding is bad and it has resulted in teeth movement. I had to get a mouthguard.”

Bruxism may be on the rise, too. Recent survey feedback from the American Dental Association found that 70 percent of dentists have seen increasing cases of jaw or teeth clenching and grinding in their patients. This may be due to increasing levels of stress, as several studies have linked higher stress levels to an increase in bruxism.

Is Bruxism Causing My Migraine Headaches?

Some researchers believe there’s a link between bruxism and migraine attacks. Issues with the TMJ (including jaw clenching and grinding) may trigger a migraine attack in some people, especially adolescents. Further research has shown that those who clench or grind their jaw are more likely to also develop migraine headaches.

“I grind my teeth constantly at night, and it used to cause migraine attacks.”

— A MyMigraineTeam member

The TMJ pain associated with bruxism can easily travel to other places in the head and cause a headache. In severe cases, this pain may cause a migraine.

A MyMigraineTeam member shared, “I grind my teeth constantly at night, and it used to cause migraine attacks.”

Migraine headaches affect more than 10 percent of the population, including children and adolescents. Migraine attacks may cause the following symptoms:

• Moderate to severe head pain
• Mood changes
• Sensitivity to light, smell, sounds, and stress
• Nausea and dizziness
• Visual or sensory changes
• Fatigue, yawning, or difficulty sleeping

In determining if your migraine headache is caused by jaw clenching or grinding, dentistry professionals recommend looking out for these common signs and symptoms:

• Headache pain that occurs after jaw activity such as chewing or speaking
• Clenching your teeth before, during, or after the onset of a headache
• Jaw pain or restricted jaw movement
• Ringing in the ears
• Finding that standard headache care does not relieve symptoms

Treating Bruxism-Related Migraine

If you suspect that your migraine headaches are related to bruxism, it’s important to get help from a medical professional to formally evaluate your signs and symptoms. An expert can help confirm bruxism and rule out any other possible causes of your headaches such as sleep issues, diet issues, and stress.

A treatment plan can be created by either a primary care doctor or a dentist. Treating bruxism may include some of the following therapies:

• Relaxation techniques
• Electrical stimulation
• Eliminating chewing gum
• Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatments
• Occlusal splint guards (nightguards)
• Medication
• Physical therapy

Talk to your neurologist or other health care provider if you’re looking for information on how to manage your migraine attacks or if you’re seeking new treatment options.

Connect With Others Who Understand

MyMigraineTeam is the social network for people with migraine. More than 84,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their experiences with others who understand life with migraine.

Does teeth grinding or jaw clenching seem to trigger your migraine headaches? What helps you prevent or treat these types of headaches? Share your experience in the comments below or on your Activities page.