Teeth Grinding and Parasites: Is There a Link?

Teeth grinding (bruxism) has several underlying causes, and one of the most surprising is parasites.

Most people associate grinding their teeth with stress, but that is only one possible cause. Other potential causes include airway obstruction, alcohol or caffeine consumption, or even specific parasitic infections. Oral symptoms don't always have oral causes.

Common symptoms of teeth grinding include worn-down teeth, TMJ soreness, tinnitus, and dental or facial pain. If you or your child is experiencing these symptoms, keep reading below to see if it could be parasite-related. 

Read More: Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

What the Research Shows

Evidence is limited, but there have been correlations between bruxism and parasitic infections in children. Pinworms and Giardia lamblia are the most commonly associated parasites. Other parasites, such as hookworms and tapeworms, are not as strongly linked to bruxism but can still trigger similar symptoms that may contribute to teeth grinding.

According to a 2023 case-control study from Iran, bruxism was most significantly associated with finger sucking, a family history of bruxism, and intestinal parasites.

A scientific literature review by Erbakan University found mixed conclusions linking parasites with bruxism. However, they did find elevated levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) during parasitic infections, and IgE levels are associated with teeth grinding.

A very small study in Turkey showed that children with pinworms were 50% more likely to experience teeth grinding than children who tested negative for pinworms. However, the sample size was too small to rule out random chance.

Another small study compared children with and without parasitic infections. While the rate of bruxism was much higher in the infected group, the overall number of participants was small.

Conclusion: The evidence points to parasites as a systemic risk factor for teeth grinding, especially in children. However, not all bruxism is caused by parasites, and parasites do not always cause bruxism. When parasites lead to teeth grinding, it is likely due to their impact on the immune system, specifically your IgE levels.

Other Symptoms of Parasite Infection

The symptoms of a parasitic infection vary, but primarily include the following warning signs:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Irritability, mood changes
• Appetite changes
• Sleep changes
• Anal itching
• Allergy-like symptoms
• Skin rashes
• Teeth grinding

You may spot visible worms for parasites like Giardia and pinworm in your stool. Children, international travelers, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system are at the highest risk of parasitic infections.

If you or your child is showing any of these warning signs of parasitosis, don’t worry. There are tests and treatments available.

How to Test for Parasites

Below are the primary testing methods for diagnosing parasites:

• Tape test — A healthcare worker takes a sample from the skin around your anus with a strip of tape to test for pinworm eggs. This is the most reliable test for pinworms. You could do this at home with scotch tape row before showering or using the toilet.
• Stool test — A lab tests your stool sample (poop) for Giardia or other parasites. A stool antigen test looks for Giardia proteins. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT), including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), are increasingly used to detect Giardia in stool.
• Blood test — The nurse may draw blood to test eosinophil count, IgE levels, specific antibodies, and elevated antigens. Blood tests are not the primary method for diagnosing parasites.

Here is what the lab may find that suggests a parasitic infection:

• Giardia protein or DNA
• Pinworm eggs
• Elevated IgE
• Eosophilia
• Anemia
• Nutritional deficiencies

When to see a doctor to get tested for parasites:

• If a family member or classmate is diagnosed with parasites
• If you recently traveled somewhere with poor sanitation
• Fever with gastrointestinal symptoms
• Persistent diarrhea
• Inexplicable weight loss
• Major sleep changes
• Sudden mood changes
• Allergy-like symptoms without an allergen
• Anal itching
• Chronic fatigue or weakness
• Visible worms in stool, vomit, or around the anus
• Unexplained teeth grinding

Conventional Parasite Treatment

Below are the first-line treatments that a conventional doctor will give you for parasites:

• Metronidazole — This antibiotic medication is the most common treatment for Giardia. Side effects include gastrointestinal distress, like bloating, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Antibiotics have been overprescribed over the decades, leading to an antibiotic resistance epidemic. Healthcare providers now only recommend them when necessary.
• Mebendazole — This antiparasite medication is a standard treatment for pinworm infections and other digestive parasites. It stops the parasites from absorbing glucose, which they use for energy, causing them to die. Side effects include gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, and sometimes allergic reactions.
• Pyrantel pamoate — This over-the-counter dewormer is a standard pinworm treatment. It’s considered at least 75% effective. Gastrointestinal side effects are common but mild. Dizziness may occur.

The entire household should be treated to prevent reinfection when one person is infected.

Holistic Parasite Treatment

Once you have parasites, it is important to get rid of them. Typically, I would not recommend first-line pharmaceuticals and antibiotics, but you don’t want parasites to spread, and you must stop parasitosis symptoms immediately.

If you want to try more holistic treatments for parasites, here are some at-home remedies that people have used over the years:

• Garlic — Raw garlic may kill pinworm eggs and prevent more eggs from being laid. You could eat raw garlic or apply raw garlic to the affected area. A recent study showed that a garlic suppository might kill pinworms.
• Coconut oil — This healthful oil has natural antimicrobial properties and is traditionally used to support digestive health. Some recommend swallowing a spoonful daily or applying the oil to the affected area.
• Wormwood — This ancient medicine has traditionally treated intestinal worms like pinworms and roundworms. However, wormwood has more side effects than most herbal supplements, and there are no scientific studies to back it up as a modern antiparasitic.

There is little scientific evidence to support these home remedies, so consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect a parasitic infection.

Parasite Prevention

There are some simple ways to naturally prevent parasite infections:

• Make sure your food is clean. Wash it if necessary.
• Wash your hands after using the restroom, changing diapers.
• Ensure your child’s daycare center or summer camp follows proper hygiene protocols.
• Discourage fingernail biting and scratching around the anus.
• Avoid or boil potentially contaminated water. If you’re boiling water, the CDC recommends boiling it for 1 minute or 3 minutes if you’re above 6,500 feet elevation.
• After a parasitic infection in your household, disinfect your toilet, bedding, clothing, and toys.

Other Ways to Reduce Teeth Grinding

If parasites are not the cause of your teeth grinding, here are other treatment plans that may relieve or prevent it:

• Stress relief — A common cause of bruxism is high stress levels. Try meditation, spending more time outdoors, intentional breathing, or moderate exercise.
• Magnesium — This supplement may relieve bruxism by reducing stress and relaxing muscles.
• Sleep support — An obstructed airway is a hidden underlying cause of bruxism, which can lead to sleep disorders. Consider devices like night guards to open your airways during sleep.

FAQs

How can you tell if you’re unconsciously clenching your jaw during the day? 

Pay attention to potential symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching:

• Temporomandibular joint fatigue
• Jaw pain
• Dental sensitivity
• Bite marks on the cheek
• Worn-down teeth

Practice awareness, being present, and reducing stress levels with meditation.

What nutrient deficiencies are linked to teeth grinding?

Several nutritional deficiencies could contribute to awake or sleep bruxism:

• Magnesium
• Vitamin D
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Iron
• Calcium

What is the mechanism by which intestinal worms could cause bruxism?

Pinworms and Giardia both cause discomfort and increase IgE levels. Unexplained discomfort can increase stress, which leads to grinding. Higher IgE levels are associated with stress and grinding.

Although no scientific consensus exists on how parasites might lead to bruxism, this is the most widely supported theory based on current research.

What causes awake bruxism or daytime jaw clenching?

The most common cause of awake bruxism and daytime jaw clenching is stress — either chronic stress or a short-term high-stress situation.

Bruxism may also result from misalignment of the teeth and jaws (malocclusion). This can lead to tension in the jaw muscles, causing teeth to grind during the day or at night.

Other possible causes of daytime grinding and clenching include high alcohol consumption, high caffeine consumption, sleep apnea, poor posture, or parasites in your digestive system.

Bruxism Help From a Holistic Provider

Don’t just treat the symptoms. Get to the root cause of your health issues with a holistic provider. At Rejuvenation Dentistry, signs of teeth grinding are not immediately brushed off as stress. Instead, providers look deeper to rule out more serious underlying causes.

Schedule an appointment with Rejuvenation Dentistry today!

Sources

1. Talebian, A., Sharif, M. R., Gilasi, H. R., Bidgoli, M. G., & Alavi, N. M. (2023). Risk factors of bruxism in children and adolescents: A case-control study. Iranian Journal of Child Neurology, 17(3), 81. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10448849/pdf/ijcn-17-081.pdf
2. İnci, M. A., Özer, H., & Koç, M. (2023). The Childhood Bruxism: Literature Review. Current Research in Dental Sciences, 33(4), 256-260. Full text: https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/3494173
3. Şentürk, Ö., Güzel, K. G. U., & Tokgöz, Y. (2022). Evaluation of relationship between Enterobius vermicularis infection and bruxism in children. Contemp Pediatr, 3(2), 61-72. Full text: https://contemppediatrdent.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CPD.2022.107.pdf
4. Tehrani, M. H. N., Pestechian, N., Yousefi, H., Sekhavati, H., & Attarzadeh, H. (2010). The correlation between intestinal parasitic infections and bruxism among 3-6 year-old children in Isfahan. Dental research journal, 7(2), 51. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3177368/
5. Veiga, N., Angelo, T., Ribeiro, O., & Baptista, A. (2015). Bruxism–literature review. International journal of dentistry and oral health, 15(5). Full text: https://ciencia.ucp.pt/ws/portalfiles/portal/30911703/IJDOH_1_134.pdf
6. Shayeghi, F. (2023). The Effect of Garlic Suppository on Treatment of Enterobiasis and Comparison with other Common Medical Treatments. Clinical Cancer Investigation Journal-ISSN, 2278-0513. Full text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370202870_The_Effect_of_Garlic_Suppository_on_Treatment_of_Enterobiasis_and_Comparison_with_other_Common_Medical_Treatments
7. Pavlou, I. A., Spandidos, D. A., Zoumpourlis, V., & Adamaki, M. (2023). Nutrient insufficiencies and deficiencies involved in the pathogenesis of bruxism. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 26(6), 563. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10632959/
8. Alkhatatbeh, M. J., Hmoud, Z. L., Abdul-Razzak, K. K., & Alem, E. M. (2021). Self-reported sleep bruxism is associated with vitamin D deficiency and low dietary calcium intake: a case-control study. BMC oral health, 21(1), 21. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7792220/