Unidirectional forces that are short and low intensity are considered the most damaging type of tooth-grinding forces. Specifically, eccentric bruxism involving jiggling forces that are short and either low or high intensity is more damaging than centric bruxism involving unidirectional forces that are long and high intensity. Recent theories about the role of tooth-grinding forces have focused on the role of saliva lubricity, trauma from tooth contact during biting and closing, and inflammasome mediation of inflammation.