What condition is characterized by teeth grinding?

Bruxism is the condition characterized by the grinding of teeth, often occurring unconsciously during sleep or as a response to stress and anxiety. This repetitive clenching and grinding can lead to various dental problems, including worn-down teeth, jaw pain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Patients who experience bruxism may not always be aware of their behavior, which often contributes to its diagnosis. Symptoms could include headaches, tooth sensitivity, and discomfort in the jaw muscles.

In contrast, dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing, which does not relate to tooth grinding. Trismus is a condition that involves restricted movement of the jaw, typically due to pain or muscle spasms, and is not directly linked to the act of grinding teeth. Cementum is a part of the tooth structure that covers the roots and facilitates attachment to the periodontal ligament, having no connection to the act of grinding teeth. Thus, bruxism is clearly the diagnosis that best fits the description given.