Teeth grinding (bruxism) describes the unconscious clenching or rubbing of teeth, which can occur during the day or, above all, during sleep. From a functional perspective, teeth grinding is not viewed in isolation but in connection with the masticatory muscles, the jaw joint, tooth contacts, breathing, stress processing, and neuromuscular tension patterns.
In the professional literature and clinical practice, various factors are described that may be associated with teeth grinding, including muscular overload, stress, sleep behavior, and functional aspects of the masticatory system. Interactions between jaw function and body posture are also addressed.
The articles compiled in this topic area explore possible functional connections related to teeth grinding from various perspectives and serve to provide context and a better understanding of this condition.
