Are neck muscles involved when someone has bruxism?

Probably not: Although the neck muscles can be involved in temporo-mandibular disorder (tmd), the muscles that are involved in bruxism are in the face and consist of the masseter, temporalis, and internal pterygoid muscles. These are the closers of the jaw and are directly involved in grinding of the teeth. Treatment is usually a mouth guard at night made by your dentist.

Probably: Bruxism is poorly understood and no one knows why anyone does this harmful action. One good theory is that people who brux have muscles that are more sensitive to some stimulating hormones that are released during poor sleep. Those people may have sensitive face muscles and sensitive neck muscles, so they get involved.

Often: The entire head / neck area is supported and controlled by many muscles which all work in harmony. If some are out of synch, overstressed, or spasming, then many others can be affected. Put the index and middle fingertips of your hands below your ear and just behind the corner of your lower jaw. Open your mouth slightly and slide your jaw side to side. You will feel the neck muscles @ your fingers.