What is teeth clenching and could it cause your teeth to hurt when you chew?

Yes: Clenching is when you squeeze your teeth togehter for an extended time. This can cause muscle spasm which may cause discomfort when chewing. It can also over stress the ligaments that hold your teeth into the bone. When the ligaments get over stressed they will be sore when pressure is applied to the teeth. It may also cause cracks in teeth that may cause some discomfort.

Bruxism : Most people grind and clench their teeth at night. Teeth grinding is called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can become sensitive and you may feel pain as you chew.

Night Guard Needed: Happens at night. You can search for a dentist with bite equilibration training & credentials from dawson or pankey. (top trainings for bite issues) night guards come in many forms.The best are therapeutic & establish centric relation & put your jaw in a resting position. Dentist with this training make adjustments. Typically not a one visit solution. Store bought night guards are useless.

Biting really hard: Teeth clenching is when you bite forcefully. The force can be significant that it can cause the teeth to eventually fracture. See your dentist for a mouth guard.

Excessive: Excessive squeezing of your teeth together, Can cause dental pain, fractured teeth and TMJ problems. As your dentist if you need a nightguard.