Nocturnal Tooth Grinding: Is Your Mouth Getting Rest?

woman with headache induced by tooth grinding While you are sleeping your mouth may be very active. If you find yourself waking up in the morning with headaches, unexplained facial pain, sore jaw, neck aches or earaches, you may have sleep bruxism, also known as tooth grinding. 

Many people experience some extent of tooth grinding, but only about 8 percent of the population experience symptoms severe enough to warrant medical attention. If you continually experience any of the symptoms listed above, consult your dentist to help diagnose and treat this nightly nuisance. The most common treatments recommended by dentists and physicians include:

  • Reducing daily stress to help relax your jaw muscles and prevent grinding.
  • A custom-made night guard to cushion your teeth and protect them from damage.
  • Changing your eating habits. Coffee, tea or alcohol before bed can increase your chance of nightly grinding.
  • If your jaw or teeth are misaligned, your dentist may also recommend a brace to decrease grinding.

Grinding your teeth can have serious consequences if left untreated. Tooth fractures and damage to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) in your jaw are common among people with bruxism. So if you think your teeth may not be getting a rest at night, contact your dentist right away to prevent damage to your smile.

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Sandi Perez
Sandi Ernst Perez, Ph.D., joined Delta Dental of Arizona in 2006 and has a dual role as vice president of community benefit and executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. A champion for the mouth-body connection in health and wellness, she works to fulfill the Foundation's mission to improve the oral health of underserved and uninsured populations across the state by educating the public, increasing awareness and providing grants, leadership and technical assistance. Originally from Ohio, she has lived in Arizona since 1992 with her husband, two children (one still in braces) and four rescue dogs. That translates into 296 teeth to take care of! [Editor's Note: Sandi is no longer a current DDAZ employee.]