5 Signs You Grind Your Teeth

Teeth-grinding or Bruxism is a common dental concern. If you have ever woken up with symptoms like tooth pain, headache, or sore jaw? signs you grind your teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), about 10-15 percent of adult Americans suffer from it. In some cases, teeth grinding has been observed in the children too. This is difficult to control or prevent as it happens during sleep. Keep on reading about the signs you’ve been grinding your teeth. 

Signs You’re Grinding Your Teeth

Someone Informing You About It

The most common way you are made aware of your grinding is by being told either by your partner or a child. It is observed as the grinding sound is quite distinct while the jaw’s movement can be spotted. This would be quite the same in the child suffering from teeth grinding. 

Teeth Sensitivity

Any erosion of enamel by teeth grinding can make one’s teeth sensitive to cold or hot food. 

Regular Headaches

Frequent headache is one of the signs you grind your teeth. It usually starts near the jaw or around the temples. It can range from mild to severe in some cases. 

Soreness in the Jaw 

Bruxism causes sufficient stress on your jaw muscles to cause inflammation. When you wake up, you will feel stiffness in your jaw. Additionally, teeth or face ache is another common sign you grind your teeth. Also, it will be difficult to open your mouth for speaking, chewing, or smiling. There might be times when you click or popping sounds while talking or chewing. 

Chipped or Loose Teeth

Flat, loose, or chipped teeth are other signs you grinding your teeth in sleep. In an oral examination, the dentist could spot cracks in teeth or wearing or front teeth or molar’s flat appearance. 

Reasons Why You Clench Your Teeth

No specific reasons for the teeth clenching or grinding have been pinpointed so far. It’s attributed to factors like genetic, psychological, or physical, or a combination of them. Two common types of teeth grinding are

• Awake Bruxism

• Sleep bruxism

Observe the Signs You’re Grinding Your Teeth to Avoid Complications

Mostly, teeth grinding doesn’t cause any serious dental problems. Sometimes, severe bruxism can cause problems like-

• Damage to the teeth or the jawbone
• Chances of affecting your dental restorations like dental crowns, dental bridges, dentures, or implants
• Regular headaches 
• Extreme paint to the jaw

After Spotting Signs You’re Grinding Your Teeth, What To Do?

You need to schedule a dental appointment with your dentist near you after observing signs you’ve been grinding your teeth. The dentist will fit you with a mouth guard for added protection of the teeth from grinding while sleeping. Reducing stress is another way to lower the risk of grinding your teeth.