What are clenching and grinding events?

There is a fair bit of confusion about these para functional habits.

BRUXISM is the common term used which cam be classified into clenching snd grinding. Grinding is what we are normally aware of because of the noises made during the process as the upper and lower teeth force themselves against each other in not just a vertical vector but also laterally. We hear kids grind regularly and claim them to be a worm issue. Maybe true but let’s come to that conclusion after confirming that the airway is patent. Unfortunately, roughly 80% of all bruxers are clenchers. Since, there’s no noise produced due to just a vertical vector in place, they end up with TMD.

But let’s not see this as a negative event per se. One can also question the reason for the bruxing itself. Bruxing is the physiological response of the human body to keep that airway open to allow for better oxygen intake and breathing. In short, it’s the clenching/grinding that’s actually keeping you alive; at the expense of the TMJ!