6 Common Signs You May Need a Night Guard for Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common issue that many adults face. It usually occurs when stress levels rise and is triggered by jaw clenching, gum chewing, drinking hot liquids or even chewing on the insides of your cheeks.

If you grind your teeth at night and are experiencing frequent headaches or jaw pain, you may need a night guard for teeth grinding to prevent further damage to the teeth as well.

Why You May Need a Custom Nightguard for Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can hinder your ability to function normally. For instance, do you wake up with a headache or jaw pain? You may not realize you’re grinding your teeth while you sleep. If you don’t have a custom night guard for teeth grinding made, the condition can worsen over time. Learn more about your options and click here.

Symptoms Associated with Grinding the Teeth

Below are common symptoms that indicate a need for the appliance.

1. Problems with Sleeping

The first sign that you might be grinding your teeth is disturbed sleep. Although you might not be aware of what woke you up, it may still be due to grinding or clenching the teeth. You may feel exhausted, disoriented, or mentally or physically exhausted after a sleepless night.

2. Facial or Neck Pain

Bruxism may cause pain in the face or neck. When your jaw clenches during teeth grinding the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your mandible to your skull, is affected. The neck muscles tighten in an effort to support your neck and spine.

The primary cause of tooth grinding, according to scientists, is tension. This response causes you to grind your teeth unconsciously in an effort to relieve stress.

3. Waking Up with a Headache

If you frequently experience morning headaches, especially dull headaches centered around the temples, this may indicate that you spent the night grinding your teeth. The pain might also seem like an earache. This type of headache pain usually fades shortly after waking.

4. A Painful Jaw (or Lockjaw)

The thermo mandibular joint or TMJ enables us to move the jaw sideways and open and close our mouth. Lockjaw may occur when the jaw muscles have a spasm, something that results from teeth grinding. Lockjaw is also quite painful.

5. Damage to the Teeth

Damage to the teeth is an early and evident indicator of teeth grinding. Your teeth grinding may be the cause of cracks, flattening, chips, fractures, or loose teeth. Sensitivity or tooth discomfort accompany these symptoms.

6. Damage to the Inner Cheek or Lip Tissue

You may also chew the inside of your cheeks or lips while grinding your teeth. This can harm the tissue. Therefore, it’s important to look for the cause if that area of your mouth is sensitive or if you have sores that won’t heal.

Broken or chipped teeth with rough corners may press against the tissue and add to the discomfort.

Have A Custom Night Guard Made for Your Teeth Grinding

If you have a problem with bruxism, don’t waste any time having a custom night guard fitted and made. The sooner you take care of the issue, the easier it will be to get a good night’s sleep and prevent future dental problems and complaints.