Do I Grind My Teeth At Night? What Can I Do About It?

Teeth grinding, which often happens at night, is caused by a condition called bruxism. Many people have bruxism and don’t even know it, because they’re asleep when teeth grinding happens.

Grinding your teeth can be very hard on your tooth enamel and thus can cause various problems, so it’s important to find out if you grind your teeth at night. If you grind your teeth, you should address the problem to help protect your teeth and maintain your enamel.

Yourdentist in Medina, OH, can help with this. Your dentist will most likely be able to identify the symptoms of bruxism and recommend solutions. Here’s what you should know.

How Can I Tell If I Grind My Teeth At Night?

If you grind your teeth at night, your spouse or partner may be able to tell you. Often, bed partners can hear teeth grinding while it’s happening. However, there are other ways that you may be able to tell that you’re probably grinding your teeth:

• You wake up with a headache. Constant grinding of teeth can cause a headache because of the force and pressure on your jaw.
• Your teeth are chipped, cracked, or loose. Teeth grinding is very hard on your teeth and can cause them to become damaged over time.
• You wake up with face, neck, and shoulder pain or a jaw ache. Just as you might wake with a headache, you might also wake with pain in other areas around your face.
• Your sleep is often disturbed at night. Teeth grinding can disrupt your sleep, leading to poor sleep quality.

Is It Bad to Grind Your Teeth?

Grinding your teeth can break your tooth enamel and cause cracks. Bruxism can also grind down your teeth, causing sensitivity and unnecessary wear and tear. If you have a dental implant or a crown, grinding your teeth can cause these tools to break.

What Should I Do If I Have Bruxism?

If you have bruxism, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard that protects your teeth. You can get a custom-made mouthguard, or you may buy a mouthguard from the pharmacy.

Have questions? Talk to your dentist the next time you come in for adental exam in Medina, OH. The professionals at Evanko Dental Group of Medina are here to help.