Clenching & Grinding — What Your Body May Be Trying to Tell You
As we step into May—a season of growth, renewal, and fresh air—it’s a perfect time to pause and check in with our health in a deeper way.
One area that often goes unnoticed?
Clenching and grinding (also known as bruxism).
It can show up quietly… but its impact can be anything but small—for both children and adults.
🌿 What Is Clenching & Grinding?
Clenching is when the teeth are held tightly together, often during the day.
Grinding is the movement of teeth against each other, most commonly during sleep.
Think of it like a pressure valve—your body trying to release tension… just not in the most helpful way.
👶 Clenching & Grinding in Children
In children, these habits are often dismissed as something they will “grow out of.” However, they frequently provide important clues about development and airway health.
Common Signs in Children:
Grinding sounds during sleep
Mouth breathing or open-mouth posture
Snoring or restless sleep
Bedwetting beyond expected age
Daytime fatigue or difficulty focusing
Early signs of dental crowding
What May Be Contributing:
Airway challenges (such as enlarged tonsils or adenoids)
Low tongue posture
Tongue restriction (tongue-tie)
Developing oral habits
Early awareness allows us to gently guide proper growth and function—supporting not just the mouth, but the whole child.
👩💼 Clenching & Grinding in Adults
For adults, clenching and grinding are often associated with stress—but there is usually more beneath the surface.
Common Symptoms:
Jaw soreness or tightness, especially in the morning
Headaches or migraines
Tooth sensitivity or visible wear
Clicking or popping in the jaw (TMJ symptoms)
Neck and shoulder tension
Poor or disrupted sleep
Underlying Patterns:
Mouth breathing
Poor tongue posture
Airway limitations
Muscle compensation patterns
It can feel a bit like driving with the parking brake slightly engaged—you can still move forward, but over time, the strain adds up.
🌬️ The Root Connection: Breathing & Muscle Function
Clenching and grinding are rarely isolated concerns.
They are often connected to how the body manages:
Breathing (nasal vs. mouth breathing)
Tongue posture (resting on the palate vs. low position)
Lip seal (closed vs. open at rest)
Muscle coordination during sleep
When these systems are not working together efficiently, the body adapts. Clenching and grinding can be one of those adaptations.
🛠️ How Myofunctional Therapy Supports Lasting Change
Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue to function as they were designed.
Through simple, guided exercises, therapy can help:
Encourage consistent nasal breathing
Improve tongue strength and resting posture
Establish a relaxed, natural lip seal
Reduce compensatory muscle tension
Support deeper, more restorative sleep
Rather than simply managing symptoms, this approach builds a strong foundation for long-term health and function.
🌼 When Should You Seek Support?
Consider reaching out if you or your child experience:
Frequent clenching or grinding
Mouth breathing during the day or night
Snoring or disrupted sleep
Jaw discomfort or TMJ-related symptoms
Tongue-tie concerns or oral habits that are not resolving
These patterns are your body’s way of communicating—and with the right guidance, they can be addressed in a meaningful and lasting way.
📍 Myofunctional Therapy in Buffalo, NY
At Buffalo Myo, we specialize in helping both children and adults improve breathing, oral function, and overall quality of life through personalized myofunctional therapy.
🌿 Better breathing. Better function. Better quality of life.
📣 Ready to Take the Next Step?
If something in this article resonates with you, the next step is simple.
Schedule a consultation to learn how myofunctional therapy can support you or your child.
