How to Tell if You're Grinding Your Teeth and What to Do About It

Signs That You're Grinding Your Teeth

Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common condition that affects nearly 30 million Americans. Many people grind their teeth without even realizing it. Over time, this unconscious habit can cause severe damage to your teeth and jaw. Learning how to recognize the signs of tooth grinding is important so you can get treatment before further complications arise.

Look For Wear on Your Teeth

One of the most obvious signs of tooth grinding is increased wear on your teeth. You may notice that your teeth look flattened down or that the edges appear transparent or slightly fractured. The enamel protects your teeth, but constant grinding wears this enamel away. This leaves your inner layer of dentin exposed, giving your teeth a see-through appearance along the rim.

Pay Attention to Symptoms in the Morning

Since most people grind their teeth at night, symptoms may be most noticeable when you wake up. Jaw soreness, tooth sensitivity, and headaches that dissipate shortly after getting up are common with tooth grinding. You may also notice pain or stiffness in your temples and jaw joints. If the inside of your cheeks shows indentations from your teeth, this can indicate you've been grinding.

Changes to Your Mouth May Occur

In some cases, tooth grinding is severe enough to alter the alignment of both your bite and your teeth. You may notice spacing issues, teeth that fail to line up, an overbite or underbite, and loosening or fracturing of teeth. The changes happen slowly over time but indicate long-term bruxism.

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

There are a few potential causes for tooth grinding:

Stress and Anxiety

One of the most common reasons people grind their teeth is stress or anxiety. Clenching and grinding your teeth is thought to be a physical outlet for built-up tension. Times of high stress at work, financial strain, struggles in a relationship, or traumatic events can trigger bruxism.

Genetics

Research shows that tooth grinding sometimes runs in families. If your parents or siblings grind their teeth, you may be predisposed to it as well. Certain genetic factors make some people more likely to develop bruxism, especially when compounded with other risk factors like stress.

Sleep Disorders

Disrupted sleep is another culprit that can contribute to grinding. Conditions like sleep apnea cause frequent waking which interferes with getting restful sleep. The lack of quality REM sleep can trigger your body to clench or grind your teeth.

Medications

Some medications list bruxism as a potential side effect. Antidepressants, in particular, are linked to tooth grinding. The dosage of these medications may need adjustment if grinding becomes problematic.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Consumption of alcohol, recreational drugs, and tobacco may exacerbate bruxism. These substances interfere with sleep cycles and neurological function which can activate the grinding reflex.

Risks of Unchecked Tooth Grinding

If left untreated, the long term consequences of teeth grinding are extensive. Complications include:

Tooth Damage

Years of grinding your teeth eventually destroys tooth enamel. This leaves teeth sensitive, prone to decay, and more likely to chip or crack. It also accelerates the need for restorative treatments like crowns or bridgework.

TMD

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) often accompany bruxism. Grinding puts strain on the hinge joints of the jaw, leading to inflammation, restricted motion, locking of the jaw, and intense pain.

Headaches

Grinding and clenching your teeth frequently translates into frequent headaches. The tension placed on muscles of the face, jaw, neck, and shoulders constricts blood flow to the head causing pronounced, long-lasting headaches.

Sleep Disruption

The noises of grinding teeth can be quite loud, often as noisy as conversation. Bed partners report being kept awake by the grinding sounds. The discomfort of jaw tension and headaches also disturbs sleep patterns for tooth grinders.

Tips to Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Because bruxism is often unconscious, stopping usually requires a multipronged approach:

See Your Dentist

Consult your dentist to assess damage to your teeth and create a treatment plan. They may recommend options like a custom night guard, Botox injections to relax jaw muscles, antibiotics to reduce inflammation, or orthodontics to balance your bite and take pressure off your jaw joints.

Address Sources of Stress

Look at lifestyle factors that feed into stress and lack of sleep. Exercise, a healthy diet, better time management, and adequate leisure time all help manage tension. If anxiety or trauma underlie your grinding, counseling often helps.

Establish Bedtime Rituals

Relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, meditation before bed calm both the mind and body making quality sleep more likely. Limiting alcohol, avoiding caffeine at night, and making your bedroom cool and comfortable also support healthy sleep.

Talk to Your Doctor

Discuss adjustments to any medications linked to bruxism with your physician. Prescriptions for muscle relaxants, Botox, anti-anxiety medications, or sleep aids may also help in some instances. Your dentist can communicate with your doctor to coordinate comprehensive treatment.

Ignoring persistent tooth grinding allows damage to progress sometimes to the point of requiring dentures or implants. Early intervention improves the likelihood of reversing issues. Pay attention for the common signs of bruxism so prompt action can be taken to protect your oral health.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.