Awake or Asleep, Bruxism Might Be the Cause Behind Those Earaches and Sore Jaw

Have you ever woken up with a sore jaw, an unexplained headache, or an earache that just won’t quit? Your pillow, your sleeping position, or that extra glass of wine from last night might just not be the real reasons, but grinding your teeth might be.

Bruxism is the sneaky, clenchy habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, and it is more common than you think. Some people do it while sleeping (sleep bruxism), while others unknowingly clench throughout the day (awake bruxism). Either way, your teeth, jaw, and even your ears might be paying the price.

Your jaw is a hard-working chap. When you grind your teeth—often with a force greater than that of normal chewing—you put extreme stress on the muscles and joints around your mouth. Over time, this can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, causing pain, stiffness, and that delightful clicking sound when you chew.

Here is where things get interesting. Your jaw and your ears are neighbours, and not the rare kind that mind their own business but the ones who are too nosy. The TMJ sits right in front of your ear canal, so when it is irritated from constant grinding, it can create a deep, nagging pain that feels like an ear infection—even when there is no actual infection present.

Stress and anxiety are the usual reasons, but bruxism has other potential culprits, including misaligned teeth, caffeine overload, and even sleep disorders like sleep apnoea. If your partner has ever complained about weird crunching noises coming from your mouth at night, well… that is just another clue.

Bruxism is not unbeatable. If you suspect your jaw and ears are suffering from a little too much clenching, a visit to your dentist or doctor might be the first step to relief. Your teeth—and your ears—will thank you!

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