Will a night guard stop me from grinding?

A night guard does not usually stop the grinding itself, but it does protect your teeth from the damage it causes and can ease jaw muscle strain. For some people the guard does reduce clenching activity. Over-the-counter guards offer basic protection, but a custom dental guard fits better and lasts longer.

Is teeth grinding in children normal?

It is very common in young children, particularly while baby teeth and adult teeth are coming through, and most outgrow it without any damage. See a dentist if the grinding is loud and persistent, teeth look worn, or your child complains of jaw pain or headaches. Snoring and disturbed sleep alongside grinding are worth mentioning to your doctor.

Can bruxism damage my jaw joint?

Prolonged clenching and grinding put a heavy load on the temporomandibular joints and chewing muscles and can contribute to TMJ disorder, with pain, clicking and limited opening. Protecting the teeth with a splint, relaxing the muscles and managing stress reduce this risk. Most TMJ symptoms related to bruxism improve with conservative care.

MusculoskeletalCommon; occasional grinding is widespread, and regular sleep bruxism affects a sizeable minority of adults and many children

Bruxism

Also known as: Teeth grinding, Teeth clenching, Sleep bruxism

Bruxism is the habit of grinding, gnashing or clenching your teeth, either while you are awake or, more commonly, during sleep. Many people do it occasionally without harm, but frequent or forceful bruxism can wear down tooth enamel, crack teeth, strain the jaw muscles and contribute to headaches and jaw joint (TMJ) problems. Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder and is often linked to stress, snoring and sleep apnea. Because it happens unconsciously, many people only learn they grind their teeth when a bed partner hears it or a dentist notices the wear. Treatment focuses on protecting the teeth, relaxing the jaw and addressing underlying triggers.

At a Glance

Common symptoms: Grinding or clenching loud enough to wake a bed partner, Flattened, chipped, cracked or loose teeth, or worn enamel exposing deeper layers, Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
Main treatments: A custom-fitted night guard or occlusal splint from your dentist to protect the teeth from wear, Repairing damaged teeth with crowns or bonding and correcting bite problems where needed, Treating sleep apnea, which often reduces sleep bruxism considerably
Category: Musculoskeletal · Common; occasional grinding is widespread, and regular sleep bruxism affects a sizeable minority of adults and many children
See a doctor if: Your teeth are visibly worn, chipped or sensitive

Symptoms

Grinding or clenching loud enough to wake a bed partner

Flattened, chipped, cracked or loose teeth, or worn enamel exposing deeper layers

Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods

Sore, tired or tight jaw muscles, especially in the morning

Dull headache starting in the temples

Pain or clicking in the jaw joint, or difficulty opening the mouth fully

Indentations on the tongue or damage to the inside of the cheek

Causes

Stress, anxiety, anger or frustration, which commonly drive awake clenching
Sleep arousals, particularly in people with snoring or obstructive sleep apnea
Misaligned teeth or bite problems in some cases
Side effects of certain medications, particularly SSRI antidepressants and stimulants
Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, especially in the evening
Neurological conditions and, in children, a developing bite or teething

Risk Factors

High stress levels or an anxious, competitive personality type
Snoring, sleep apnea or other sleep disorders
Family history of teeth grinding
Heavy use of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco or recreational stimulants
Taking antidepressants or ADHD medication
Childhood and young adulthood; sleep bruxism often lessens with age

Diagnosis

Dental examination for tooth wear, fractures, enlarged jaw muscles and tenderness
Questions about jaw pain, headaches, stress, sleep quality and medications
A report from a bed partner about grinding sounds
An overnight sleep study if sleep apnea or another sleep disorder is suspected

Treatment

A custom-fitted night guard or occlusal splint from your dentist to protect the teeth from wear
Repairing damaged teeth with crowns or bonding and correcting bite problems where needed
Treating sleep apnea, which often reduces sleep bruxism considerably
Reviewing medications with your doctor if a prescription may be contributing (never stop a prescribed medication on your own)
Botulinum toxin injections into the jaw muscles for severe cases that do not respond to other measures
Supportive: stress management, cognitive behavioural therapy and relaxation techniques for awake clenching
Supportive: jaw stretches, warm compresses and gentle massage of the chewing muscles to ease soreness

Prevention

Reduce stress with regular exercise, mindfulness or counselling
Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, especially in the hours before bed
Stop smoking
Practise keeping your teeth slightly apart and your jaw relaxed during the day; lips together, teeth apart
Keep a regular sleep schedule and treat snoring or sleep apnea
Have regular dental check-ups so early wear is caught

When to See a Doctor

Your teeth are visibly worn, chipped or sensitive
You wake with jaw pain, facial pain or headaches most mornings
Your jaw clicks, locks or cannot open fully
A partner reports loud grinding together with snoring or pauses in breathing, which may indicate sleep apnea
A child grinds teeth heavily and complains of pain or has visibly damaged teeth

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Musculoskeletal

Sleep Apnea

Respiratory

Tension Headache

Neurological

Anxiety Disorders

Mental Health

Snoring

Respiratory

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