You wake up with a dull headache. Your jaw feels tight and a little sore. Maybe your ear hurts for no obvious reason. You brush it off as stress or bad sleep. But what if something else is going on?
At Morristown Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Victor Gittleman sees many patients who don’t realize they are grinding their teeth at night. The medical term is bruxism, but whatever you call it, the damage is real. Most people only find out when their dentist notices the wear.
If you are concerned about nightly teeth grinding, we’re here to help you recognize the signs. Dr. Gittleman treats teeth grinding in Morristown, NJ.
What Is Nightly Teeth Grinding?
Nightly teeth grinding, or bruxism, is the clenching or grinding of your teeth while you sleep. It can happen during the day as well, but nighttime grinding is more common and harder to catch.
When you grind, your jaw muscles work overtime. They can exert up to 250 pounds of force. Over time, this pressure can damage your teeth, your jaw, and even your facial structure. Many people do not realize they are grinding until they start noticing the effects.
Signs You Grind Your Teeth at Night
Even if you don’t realize you grind your teeth at night, several signs may show up. Call us if you notice any of these symptoms so we can address your tooth grinding.
Morning Headaches That Do Not Make Sense
One of the most common signs of nightly teeth grinding is waking up with a headache. Not a migraine, exactly. More like a dull, constant ache around your temples or behind your eyes.
Why does that happen? When you grind, the muscles in your jaw work overtime all night long. Those muscles connect to your temples, neck, and even shoulders. By morning, they are exhausted and inflamed. That inflammation triggers the headache.
If you regularly wake up with headaches that fade as the day goes on, grinding could be the culprit.
Jaw Soreness or Ear Pain That Is Not an Infection
Does your jaw feel tired when you first wake up? Maybe it pops or clicks when you open your mouth wide. Some people describe a feeling like they have been chewing gum for hours.
Others notice ear pain. No infection, no fluid, just a strange ache in or around the ear. That is because the jaw joint sits very close to the ear canal. When the jaw is overworked, the pain can radiate right into your ear.
If your doctor has ruled out an ear infection more than once, ask Dr. Gittleman to check for grinding.
Worn, Flat, or Chipped Teeth
Grinding wears down the biting surfaces of your teeth. Over time, the little ridges and valleys flatten and smooth out. Teeth may start looking shorter, and some patients even develop tiny chips along the edges of their front teeth.
Increased Tooth Sensitivity
Do you flinch when you drink something cold? Does hot coffee make you wince? Sensitivity often happens when enamel wears thin. And nothing wears enamel faster than grinding.
When you grind, you’re rubbing your teeth together with significant force. Night after night, that force scrapes away enamel. Once enamel is gone, the softer layer underneath is exposed. That layer is much more sensitive to temperature and touch.
If your sensitivity seems to be getting worse without a clear reason, grinding deserves a closer look.
Other Signs of Nightly Teeth Grinding
In addition to the main signs, there are other clues that you may be grinding your teeth at night.
- Sleep disruptions. Grinding can disturb your sleep, leaving you feeling tired during the day.
- Facial pain. The muscles in your face can become sore and tense.
- Neck and shoulder pain. The tension from grinding can radiate to your neck and shoulders.
- Damage to dental work. If you have dental crowns, fillings, or implants, grinding can loosen or damage them.
What Causes Nightly Teeth Grinding?
Understanding the causes of teeth grinding can help you address the problem. Most patients who grind their teeth have TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder. These problems can contribute to grinding and other painful symptoms:
- Stress and anxiety: This is one of the most common causes. Stress can cause you to clench your jaw during the day and grind at night.
- Sleep disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea can increase your risk of grinding.
- Medications: Some medications can cause teeth grinding as a side effect.
- Alcohol and caffeine: These substances can increase muscle activity during sleep.
- Bite problems: Misaligned teeth can cause you to grind as your jaw tries to find a comfortable position.
How Dr. Gittleman Can Help
Once we know you are grinding your teeth, Dr. Gittleman can do something about it. Grinding usually doesn’t hurt while it is happening. That is what makes it so sneaky. By the time you feel symptoms, some wear may have already occurred.
But catching it early is simple. A routine dental exam is all it takes. Dr. Gittleman will look at your teeth, ask a few questions about your mornings, and help you figure out what is going on.
During your next exam, Dr. Gittleman will check for the signs. If he finds evidence of grinding or of TMJ, he can create a custom nightguard just for you. This simple, comfortable appliance you wear while you sleep that acts like a cushion between your upper and lower teeth.
Most patients adjust to their night guard within a few nights. Once they start wearing it, they find morning headaches and jaw aches often disappear completely. Night guards are a common and effective teeth grinding and TMJ treatment.
Don’t Wait to Treat Teeth Grinding
If you wake up tired, sore, or with a headache, give us a call. Let us find out if nightly teeth grinding is the reason. If you are searching for help with tooth grinding in Morristown, NJ, we are here for you.
Call Morristown Cosmetic Dentistry today at (973) 287-3337. You can also schedule an appointment with us online.