[dean23]

I know that the causes for bruxism are unknown, though stress is sometimes thought to be a factor. Both my aunt and her daughter have always ground their teeth at night and I was wondering if perhaps there is also a genetic link? Has anyone heard anything that might support this?

[tgdan]

I don't think there is evidence of a specific genetic marker for bruxism. But our personalities and how we deal with stress is heavily influenced by our parents. So your cousin may not have directly inherited her bruxism but rather a difficulty in dealing with stress. Which has coincidentally become expressed through bruxism.

Of course it could be that there is some sort of genetic link, but I'm not aware of any evidence for one so far.

Lot's of information on bruxism and teeth grinding can be found at The Bruxism Association - http://www.bruxism.org.uk. You might also be interested in the Teeth Grinding Forum - http://www.teethgrinding.net.