Do You Grind your Teeth While You Sleep?

Do you grind your teeth while you sleep? A sore jaw or dull morning headache is often the first clue, and many people never know. This guide from Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, explains the signs, the causes and the simple ways to protect your teeth.

Understand teeth grinding

The medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth is bruxism. Most grinding happens at night, during sleep, which is why so many people do not realize they do it. Some people also clench during the day, often while concentrating, driving or lifting something heavy.

Occasional grinding is common and usually harmless. The concern is when it happens often or with a lot of force. Your jaw muscles are strong, and night after night of grinding can wear down even healthy enamel.

Signs you may be grinding

• A sore or tired jaw when you wake up
• A dull headache, often at the temples, in the morning
• Teeth that look flat, worn, chipped or shorter than before
• Teeth that feel sensitive to hot and cold
• Cracked teeth or fillings that keep breaking
• Tight jaw muscles, or pain near the ears
• A sleep partner who hears grinding at night
• Small ridges on the inside of your cheek or scalloped edges on your tongue

Why it matters

Left alone, heavy grinding can wear teeth down to the softer layer beneath the enamel, which wears even faster. It can loosen teeth, crack fillings and crowns and make jaw muscles ache. Protecting your teeth early costs far less time and effort than rebuilding them later.

What causes grinding?

Stress and anxiety are common triggers, but they are not the only ones. Grinding often has more than one cause.

Stress and sleep

Many people grind more during busy or worrying times. Grinding is also linked to some sleep problems. If you snore loudly, wake up tired or have been told you stop breathing in your sleep, mention it to your doctor and your dentist.

Your bite

An uneven bite, missing teeth or crooked teeth can play a part. When teeth do not meet evenly, the jaw may keep searching for a comfortable position.

Habits and lifestyle

Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco can all make grinding worse. Some medications can also play a role. Bring a list of your medications to your visit so your dentist can look for a link.

Grinding in children

Children grind their teeth too, often while baby teeth are coming in or falling out. Many outgrow it without any harm. Still, mention it at your child's checkup, especially if your child complains of jaw pain or headaches, or if the teeth look worn. Our children's dentistry page explains how young patients are cared for.

Visit your dentist for a diagnosis

Bruxism can usually be diagnosed during a regular exam. Your dentist will look for worn spots on your teeth, check your jaw muscles for tenderness and listen to how your jaw moves. Our intraoral camera can show you the wear up close, and the iTero Element 3D scanner can create a detailed digital model of your teeth that makes changes easy to track over time.

Your dentist will also ask about your sleep, stress, headaches and habits. If your jaw clicks, pops or locks, it may be a sign of a jaw joint problem called TMD. Our TMJ and TMD treatment page explains how that is treated.

Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, has 35+ years in practice and has seen every kind of wear grinding can cause. The sooner it is found, the less damage it does.

Protect your teeth with a night guard

The most common treatment is a custom night guard. This is a thin, comfortable appliance you wear over your teeth while you sleep. It does not stop you from grinding, but it takes the force so your teeth do not.

Custom vs. store-bought

Store-bought guards are bulky and one-size-fits-all. Many people find them hard to sleep in and stop wearing them. A custom guard is made from a precise impression or scan of your teeth, so it fits closely and stays in place. It is also shaped to keep your bite balanced, which can ease strain on your jaw.

Getting used to it

Most people need a few nights to get used to a new guard. It may feel a little strange at first, and you may notice more saliva. That usually settles within a week or two. Many patients find their morning jaw soreness and headaches ease once they wear the guard every night.

Caring for your guard

• Rinse it each morning and brush it gently with a soft toothbrush.
• Let it air dry and store it in its case, away from pets.
• Bring it to your checkups so it can be checked for wear.

Learn more on our night guards and bite guards page.

Take control: steps you can try at home

Along with a guard, a few changes can help ease grinding and jaw tension:

• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening, as both may increase grinding.
• Skip the gum and do not chew pens or pencils. Constant chewing trains your jaw to clench.
• Let your jaw rest. During the day, keep your lips together and teeth slightly apart. Resting the tip of your tongue between your teeth or behind your upper front teeth can help your jaw relax.
• Wind down before bed. A warm shower, gentle stretching or a quiet routine without screens can help.
• Use warmth. A warm cloth on your jaw muscles for a few minutes can ease soreness.
• Notice daytime clenching. A sticky note on your computer or in your car can remind you to check your jaw.

Repairing damage from grinding

If grinding has already worn or chipped your teeth, they can be repaired. The right fix depends on how much damage there is:

• Small chips can often be smoothed or repaired with cosmetic bonding.
• Worn or broken fillings can be replaced with tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings.
• Cracked or heavily worn teeth may need all-porcelain crowns to protect them.
• Crooked teeth or an uneven bite may be improved with Invisalign clear aligners.

Whatever repair you need, a night guard afterward helps protect the new work. See our restorative dentistry page for more options. You may also find our article 4 Oral Ailments to Discuss with Your Dentist helpful.

Get relief in Shrewsbury

You do not have to live with jaw pain or watch your teeth wear down. A healthy, comfortable smile lets you relax, sleep better and enjoy every day. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment. We are at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, serving York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →