The Secret Link Between Teeth Grinding and Stress!

Do you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or worn-down teeth? Your body might be keeping score of battles you're still fighting. In this Veterans Log investigation, we uncover the shocking connection between bruxism (teeth grinding) and mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
What You'll Learn: ✓ The science behind why trauma causes teeth grinding ✓ Why PTSD patients are 3x more likely to experience bruxism ✓ How combat stress creates chronic jaw tension in veterans ✓ The physical toll: TMJ disorders, tooth damage, and chronic pain ✓ Treatment options that address both mental and dental health ✓ VA benefits for bruxism as a secondary condition to PTSD ✓ Actionable steps you can take today
This isn't just a dental problem—it's a physical manifestation of invisible wounds. Whether you're a veteran dealing with combat-related PTSD or someone living with anxiety or depression, understanding this connection is the first step toward healing.

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ⚠️
This video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, dental, or mental health advice. The content presented does not constitute a doctor-patient or therapist-patient relationship.
If you are experiencing:
Jaw pain, tooth damage, or dental concerns, please consult a licensed dentist
PTSD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health symptoms, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (Press 1) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988
Important Notes:
Always consult with your healthcare providers before making any changes to your treatment plan
Individual experiences with bruxism and mental health conditions vary
Treatment effectiveness differs for each person
The information about VA benefits is general in nature; contact the VA or a veterans service officer for personalized guidance regarding your specific situation
This video does not replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment
For Veterans in Crisis:
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and Press 1, or text 838255
Available 24/7/365
Confidential support from caring, qualified VA responders
The creator of this content is not a medical doctor, dentist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed therapist. All information is based on publicly available research and should be verified with qualified healthcare professionals.
Your health and wellbeing are paramount. Please seek appropriate professional care for your individual circumstances.

📚 SOURCES & RESEARCH:
All sources and citations used in this investigation are listed below. We encourage you to review the original research and consult with healthcare professionals.
Pro Teeth Guard. "PTSD And Bruxism." https://www.proteethguard.com/blog/ptsd-and-bruxism/

Hawkeye Group. "Managing Stress-Related Bruxism In PTSD Patients." August 21, 2025. https://hawkeyegrp.com/managing-stress-related-bruxism-in-ptsd-patients/

Hawkeye Group. "What Is The Link Between PTSD And Teeth Grinding?" December 26, 2024. https://hawkeyegrp.com/what-is-the-link-between-ptsd-and-teeth-grinding/

Sentinel Mouth Guards / Grillo Robeck Dental. "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Bruxism (Night Teeth Grinding)." May 5, 2021. https://sentinelmouthguards.com/blogs/mouthcare/ptsd-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-bruxism

Solis, A.C., et al. "Self-reported bruxism in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder." medRxiv, 2023. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.09.03.23294937v1.full.pdf

Prestige Veteran Medical Center of Texas. "Exploring Bruxism and PTSD in Veterans Disability." February 19, 2025. https://prestigeveteranmctx.com/bruxism-and-ptsd/

Griskaitis, A. "Bruxism and PTSD: The Teeth Keep the Score." The Psych Collective, August 21, 2025. https://www.thepsychcollective.com/ptsd-complication-bruxism-the-grinding-away-of-your-teeth

Dr Aesthetica Birmingham. "Bruxism and PTSD - is there a link?" https://draesthetica.co.uk/ask-aesthetica/bruxism-ptsd/

van Selms, M.K., et al. "Prevalence of painful temporomandibular disorders, awake bruxism and sleep bruxism among patients with severe post‐traumatic stress disorder." Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2023. PMC9825945. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9825945/

Pune Dental Studio. "PTSD and Bruxism: An Astounding Health Connection." February 6, 2025. https://punedentalstudio.com/ptsd-and-bruxism-a-hidden-health-connection/

Flueraşu, M.I., et al. "The Epidemiology of Bruxism in Relation to Psychological Factors." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, January 8, 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8775973/

Kıvrak, Y., et al. "Childhood Trauma, Quality of Life, Sleep Quality, Anxiety and Depression Levels in People with Bruxism." Noro Psikiyatr Ars, March 2, 2020. PMC7285633. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7285633/

Goulart, A.C., et al. "Anxiety, Depression, and Anger in Bruxism: A Cross-sectional Study." Psychiatry Research, March 1, 2021. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178121001414

Carioca, A.A., et al. "Common mental disorders and bruxism in adults: a birth cohort study." Archives of Oral Biology, March 6, 2019. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571219300260

Kuhn, M. and Türp, J.C. "Correlation between Sleep Bruxism, Stress, and Depression—A Polysomnographic Study." Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2019. PMC6781101. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6781101/

Büyüknalbant, E., et al. "A case–control study on the relationship between sleep bruxism and mental health conditions, depression and anxiety, in children." Scientific Reports, 2025. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-21679-y

Sutin, A.R., et al. "Teeth Grinding: Is Emotional Stability related to Bruxism?" Journal of Research in Personality, June 2010. PMC2934876. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2934876/

Câmara-Souza, M.B., et al. "The association of self-reported awake bruxism with anxiety, depression, pain threshold at pressure, pain vigilance, and quality of life in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment." Journal of Applied Oral Science, March 27, 2020. https://www.scielo.br/j/jaos/a/HnfWZWHx5ZfG8KF9NGHyyNj/?lang=en

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