You wake up with a dull headache. Your jaw feels tight, almost like you’ve been chewing gum for hours. But you didn’t do anything unusual yesterday. So what’s going on? Chances are, you might be grinding your teeth at night. And most people have no idea they’re doing it.
At Esthetic Dental Solutions, we see this all the time. A patient comes in for a routine cleaning, and we spot the telltale signs of teeth grinding, also called bruxism, before they’ve ever noticed a single symptom. But once you know what to look for, you can take steps to protect your smile. Here are five red flags that might mean you’re grinding while you sleep.
1. Morning Headaches or Jaw Soreness
This is the most common clue. Grinding puts enormous pressure on your jaw muscles. After hours of clenching, those muscles become fatigued and inflamed. The result? A headache that feels like it’s centered around your temples, or a sore, tight jaw when you first wake up.
If your headaches tend to fade as the day goes on, that’s a strong signal that nighttime grinding could be the culprit.
2. Flattened, Chipped, or Worn Teeth
Take a close look at your teeth in a mirror. Do the tops look flat or shortened? Are there small chips that you can’t explain? Over time, grinding wears down the biting surfaces of your teeth. In severe cases, teeth can become significantly shorter, and the enamel can wear thin enough to cause sensitivity.
Dr. Hedlund and our team are trained to spot these patterns of wear during a routine exam. Often, we can identify grinding long before a patient notices anything different.
3. Increased Tooth Sensitivity
As enamel wears away from grinding, the softer layer beneath, called dentin, becomes exposed. Dentin contains tiny tubes that connect directly to the nerve of the tooth. When that layer is exposed, hot, cold, or even sweet foods can trigger a sharp, sudden zing of sensitivity.
If you’ve noticed that your teeth seem more sensitive than they used to be, grinding could be the reason.
4. Sores or Ridges on the Inside of Your Cheeks
This is a clue many people miss. If you grind or clench, your teeth can accidentally bite down on the soft tissue inside your cheeks. Over time, this creates a raised line or a ridge of scar tissue along the inside of your cheek, right where your teeth meet.
Take your finger and feel along the inside of your cheek. If you notice a rough, ridged line, that’s a sign that your teeth are making contact with that tissue repeatedly during sleep.
5. Your Sleeping Partner Hears It
Sometimes the most obvious sign comes from someone else. Grinding can be loud, a scraping or clenching sound that’s hard to ignore. If your spouse or partner has ever told you that you grind your teeth at night, believe them.
What You Can Do About It
The good news is that grinding is treatable. At Esthetic Dental Solutions, we offer custom-fitted mouthguards that are worlds apart from the one-size-fits-all options at the drugstore. A custom guard is designed from impressions of your own teeth, providing a perfect fit that protects your enamel, relieves jaw pressure, and helps you sleep more comfortably.
Dr. Hedlund’s Dawson training also means she looks at the bigger picture. Sometimes grinding is linked to bite issues, stress, or even sleep apnea. We take the time to understand why you’re grinding, not just treat the symptoms.
Don’t wait until your teeth are worn down or chipped. If any of these signs sound familiar, give us a call at 678-352-1333. Let’s protect your smile while you sleep