Why does my dog click his teeth in his sleep?

Bruxism is the act of grinding teeth together using the jaw muscles. This can include the actions of clenching or striking the teeth together. Teeth grinding is well known among humans, but it can occur in dogs as well. Mild teeth grinding may not cause any issues, but frequent grinding or clenching of the teeth can lead to problems with the teeth and jaw.

Not all dogs grind their teeth. When they do, there are a few potential reasons why.

Many dogs will grind their teeth as a response to pain or discomfort. Dogs don't typically exhibit signs of pain the way humans do. Many dogs try to hide their pain by acting as normal as possible; this is part of their survival instinct. A small behavior like teeth grinding may be the only hint you have that there is something wrong in your dog's mouth.

Potential causes of oral pain include periodontal disease, rotten teeth, oral infections, fractured teeth, injury to the oral mucous membranes or tongue, and oral growths or tumors. Some puppies will grind their teeth while they are teething or when there is a loose tooth. Fortunately, most puppies grow out of the behavior once their adult teeth have come in.

A malocclusion occurs when there are misaligned teeth preventing the jaws from closing the teeth together properly and evenly. In dogs, it is sometimes called an "abnormal bite" and may be seen as an underbite or overbite. Malocclusions cause the teeth to grind against other teeth involuntarily as a part of normal mouth movement.

Just like oral pain can make some dogs grind their teeth, pain or discomfort in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines can do the same. Teeth grinding in response to pain may be a way for dogs to self-soothe or distract from the pain.

Stress and anxiety are leading causes of bruxism in humans. In dogs, this reaction to anxiety and stress is less common but can still occur. This type of teeth grinding may happen unconsciously while dogs sleep. Some dog's may have focal seizures where the only thing noticed is teeth chattering.

Mild, infrequent teeth grinding may not cause problems in a dog. However, over time, grinding the teeth can cause significant wear to the tooth enamel and dentin. Once worn down enough, the teeth may become severely painful and damaged. If the pulp inside the tooth becomes exposed, the dog may develop a serious infection.

You may not be aware of your dog's teeth grinding at first. The sound of it may be subtle or it may sound like chattering or grinding. You may or may not see the movement of the jaw muscles and mouth unless you look very closely.

Do not ignore teeth grinding in your dog, even if it seems mild. If you notice signs of teeth grinding in your dog, be sure to contact your veterinarian's office to schedule an appointment. The vet will evaluate your dog's mouth and do a physical examination to look for an underlying cause.

Your vet will likely recommend lab tests or imaging to evaluate your dog's organ function and overall health. These tests may reveal underlying conditions that might be causing the bruxism. In addition, they can help your vet determine the safest methods to use for anesthesia, sedation, pain management, and other therapies.

Based on the exam findings, your dog may need an oral examination and professional dental cleaning to determine the extent of the damage and/or begin treatment. Your dog will be put under anesthesia and the teeth will be closely examined. Dental radiographs (X-rays) may be performed to assess the teeth and jaw.

If your vet determines that the teeth grinding is not related to a health problem, then there is a chance your dog is experiencing anxiety or stress. Your vet may be able to offer advice on how to ease your dog's stress using environmental changes, medications, and behavior modification. You may wish to seek help from an animal behaviorist or dog trainer to help your work with your dog.

You may be able to prevent the harmful effect of teeth grinding if it is caught early. Be sure to bring your dog to the vet for routine wellness visits as recommended, usually once or twice a year.

When you think of teeth chattering, you might picture someone who is cold or really nervous. But what about teeth chattering in dogs? If your dog’s teeth or jaws are chattering, are they just really cold or nervous, or is there something else going on that you should have checked out?

Here’s what you need to know about the causes of dog teeth chattering and what you should do about it.

Why Are My Dog's Teeth Chattering?

Several different health problems can cause your dog’s teeth to chatter. A veterinarian can do a thorough exam to determine the cause. Here are some of the causes behind teeth chattering in dogs.

Dental or Oral Pain

One of the most common causes of teeth/jaw chattering in dogs is oral cavity pain or dental pain.

A dog with a broken tooth, dental abscess, or gingival inflammation can be in pain, which manifests as jaw chattering. Oral ulcerations or growths (cancer), which don’t necessarily involve the teeth, can also cause pain and teeth chattering.

If your dog has a dental or oral issue, they may also:

• Drool excessively

• Have bad breath (a sign of infection)

• Have trouble picking up and manipulating food

• Prefer softer food or treats instead of hard bones or dry food

Your veterinarian will perform an oral exam to look for evidence of dental disease and soft tissue inflammation and make recommendations based on what is found.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Dogs with pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may also exhibit jaw chattering. If a dog has a jaw fracture or arthritis involving the TMJ, they may show similar signs to a dog with oral pain or disease.

Your veterinarian will open and close your dog’s mouth to feel for grinding or resistance to movement of both TMJs. If TMJ disease is suspected, imaging such as x-rays or computed tomography (CT) may be recommended. 

Gastrointestinal Issues

Gastrointestinal problems can also cause jaw chattering. Dogs with nausea, vomiting, or gastroesophageal reflux may chatter their jaws or grind their teeth. If your dog’s jaw is clenched, their teeth can rub together, causing grinding. They may also drool.

Your veterinarian may recommend performing lab work and imaging, such as ultrasound or endoscopy (a camera scope fed into the GI tract).

Anxiety

Anxiety can result in jaw chattering behavior in dogs, too. Greyhounds will commonly have chattering teeth during routine exams because they are nervous. Once a dog is out of the stressful situation, their jaw chattering usually stops. 

Seizures

Neurological conditions, such as focal seizures (seizures that only affect a specific area in one half of the brain), may show up as jaw chattering or even fly-biting behaviors.

Unlike the other causes for jaw chattering, dogs with seizure activity usually won’t respond to you. With seizure activity, a dog tends to “space out” and not respond when you try to get their attention (calling their name, clapping, etc.).

Your dog may show specific signs before or after a seizure. For example, just before the seizure, your dog may pace or become clingy, and after the seizure, they may be tired. Your veterinarian may ask you to try to get a video of your dog’s behavior and note the circumstances surrounding the seizure (level of activity, time of day, duration, etc.) to rule in seizure activity as a potential cause for jaw chattering.

Pheromones

Some dogs, especially intact male dogs, may chatter their jaws/teeth after smelling a female dog. However, female dogs can do this too. The thought is that the pet is trying to smell the scent better by bringing the odors into the scent organ at the roof of their mouth. When this happens, there may also be salivation that is sometimes foamy.

Ear Infection or Inflamed Muscles

Less commonly, dogs in pain from ear infections or muscle inflammation may have jaw chattering. Your vet will be able to verify either of these through a physical exam. Further testing such as x-rays, CT, or special bloodwork may be recommended. 

What to Do If Your Dog's Teeth Are Chattering

You should be concerned if your dog’s teeth/jaw chattering is associated with:

If you have a concern about your dog’s teeth/jaw chattering, make an appointment with your veterinarian. They will likely be able to find the possible cause based on the exam alone and will make recommendations to help treat the underlying problem.

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