If you wake up with a sore jaw or a dull headache, your teeth may be working overtime while you sleep. Teeth grinding is easy to miss, and our Grandville, MI, dentist often spots the wear before patients feel a thing.
Here's what you need to know about teeth grinding and your smile.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is clenching or grinding your teeth while you're awake or asleep. Most people have no idea they're doing it.
We don't know exactly why people grind their teeth. It tends to be most common, and most severe, during sleep.
Some people also grind during the day while they're concentrating.
What Are the Signs You Grind Your Teeth?
Dentists are often the first to notice the signs of grinding. You may also pick up on a few clues at home.
Common signs may include:
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Pain or tenderness in your jaw
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Dull headaches
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Chipped or cracked teeth
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Worn spots along the edges of your teeth
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Teeth that look shorter than they used to
How Can Grinding Damage Your Smile?
Over time, heavy grinding can slowly shorten and flatten your teeth. You may notice your smile looks different, or that your teeth don't show as much in photos.
The damage isn't limited to enamel. Grinding forces can also strain the gum and bone that support your teeth, along with your jaw joints.
Dr. Klein often compares it to two gears that have worn together. Put a new part into that worn system, and the old gear simply grinds down the replacement.
Teeth behave in a similar way. A heavily worn tooth may need a dental crown to get its strength back.
Severe grinding is also one of the most common paths to full mouth rehabilitation. Protecting your teeth early can help prevent that.
How Does a Custom Night Guard Protect Your Teeth?
Because the exact cause isn't fully understood, grinding is often hard to stop completely. For many patients, the practical answer is to protect the teeth from the force.
A custom night guard fits over your teeth and takes the pressure for them. Dr. Klein calls it "sacrificial plastic," since replacing a guard is far simpler than repairing worn or fractured teeth.
Each guard is shaped to your teeth and balanced to your bite, which helps most patients sleep comfortably with it.
Most people who grind can ease their symptoms with a custom guard. It's one of our core preventive dental services.
When Should You See a Dentist About Grinding?
Schedule a visit if you notice any of the signs above, or if a tooth chips for no clear reason. Dr. Klein will evaluate your bite and wear patterns to see whether protecting your teeth would help.
If you also snore or wake up tired, let us know. Dentistry may help you breathe better at night, though only a physician can diagnose sleep apnea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stress cause teeth grinding?
Yes, stress is one of the factors believed to contribute to teeth grinding. Nighttime breathing issues and certain medications may also play a role, and the exact cause is not fully known.
The Cleveland Clinic lists stress and anxiety among the causes of bruxism. Lowering stress may help, but it won't undo wear that has already happened.
Is a custom night guard better than a store-bought one?
A custom night guard usually protects better than one bought in a store. It's made from a mold of your own teeth, so it gives the closest and most comfortable fit.
The American Dental Association notes that store-bought night guards may not provide the same protection. At Klein Dentistry, each guard is also carefully balanced to your bite.
How long does a custom night guard last?
It depends on how hard you grind. Dr. Klein compares a night guard to the tires on a car, because the harder they're used, the faster they wear.
Some patients wear through a guard in a few years, while others use the same one much longer. Bring yours to appointments at our Grandville, MI, office so we can look it over.
Will I be able to sleep with a night guard in?
Most patients adapt very well once the guard is balanced to their bite. Many even say they notice soreness when they forget to wear it.
A small number of patients never fully adapt, often because of jaw joint problems or nighttime breathing issues. In those cases, Dr. Klein may suggest further evaluation or a referral to a sleep or TMJ specialist.
Is there a guard for daytime teeth grinding?
Yes, Dr. Klein can make a thin, clear appliance that fits over the lower teeth for patients who grind during the day. Our office often calls it a day guard.
It's only about 1 to 1.5 mm thick, so it's discreet and usually doesn't interfere with speech. Daytime grinding often happens while you're concentrating, and many patients find the guard helpful then.
