Introduction: Teeth Don’t Grind on Their Own
Many people treat bruxism—or teeth grinding—as a nighttime habit or a result of stress. But at BreatheWorks, we know that posture, airway alignment, and muscle function all play critical roles in why people grind their teeth—and why that grinding persists.
Bruxism is a sign of compensation, not just tension. It often reflects how the body is trying to stabilize an unstable airway, jaw, or posture.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is repetitive jaw clenching or grinding, often during sleep. Symptoms can include:
- Worn or flattened teeth
- Headaches or jaw pain in the morning
- TMJ clicking, popping, or stiffness
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Tooth sensitivity or dental damage
While stress is a trigger, most chronic cases involve underlying airway instability and neuromuscular imbalance often tied to posture.
The Posture-Bruxism Loop
Here’s how poor posture contributes to bruxism:
- Forward head posture strains the TMJ and facial muscles
- The jaw compensates by tightening for stability
- Mouth breathing during sleep drops the tongue and destabilizes the bite
- Grinding becomes a survival mechanism to reopen the airway or relieve pressure
The more this continues, the more muscular memory reinforces grinding—even when daytime stress is reduced.
Grinding = Airway Compensation
For many people, grinding teeth in sleep is an unconscious attempt to keep the airway open. When the tongue falls back or the soft palate collapses, the brain senses low oxygen and activates the jaw to clench or grind—briefly restoring airway patency.
This is common in patients with:
- Mouth breathing
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Narrow palate or recessed jaw
- Chronic sinusitis
- TMJ dysfunction or unstable bite
Treating only the teeth—without addressing the posture, breathing, or tongue function—often leads to relapse.
TMJ Dysfunction and Facial Imbalance
Bruxism is closely tied to TMJ dysfunction. Constant grinding overstresses the joint, leading to:
- Inflammation and joint instability
- Muscle fatigue and spasms
- Imbalance between the left and right sides of the bite
- Forward head posture from guarding pain
- Disrupted sleep and chronic fatigue
BreatheWorks provides TMJ treatment that addresses the cause—not just the symptoms.
How BreatheWorks Treats Bruxism Holistically
We focus on the root causes behind the grinding: alignment, airway, and motor patterns. Our treatment plan may include:
- Myofunctional therapy to retrain tongue posture and reduce oral tension
- Postural therapy to stabilize the head, neck, and jaw alignment
- Breathing therapy to promote nasal breathing and reduce nighttime oxygen dips
- Speech therapy to support articulation and jaw stability, especially in children
Collaboration with dentists, orthodontists, and ENTs for structural correction when needed
We also educate patients on environmental and behavioral changes that support long-term resolution.
Who We Help
We support bruxism patients of all ages:
- Toddlers and children with tongue thrust, jaw misalignment, or anxiety
- Teens with high stress and postural collapse from digital device use
- Adults with chronic TMJ pain and sleep apnea
- Seniors with dental wear, airway collapse, or neck instability
If you’re looking for speech therapy near you for bruxism-related symptoms, BreatheWorks offers collaborative care that works across the body—not just the bite.
Key Takeaways
- Bruxism is often a response to poor posture, airway collapse, or jaw instability
- Grinding may be a sign of sleep-disordered breathing or TMJ dysfunction
- Myofunctional and postural therapy address the cause—not just the symptoms
- BreatheWorks offers non-invasive, whole-patient treatment for long-term relief
