Why Do I Grind My Teeth at Night?

Researchers estimate that more than 1 in 10 adults grind their teeth in their sleep. If you’re one of them, you’ve probably heard that teeth grinding, or bruxism, can put serious pressure on your teeth and jaw. Not only does this lead to soreness and tenderness, but it can also damage tooth enamel and lead to other problems.

What Causes Nighttime Teeth Grinding?

If you’re wondering why you grind your teeth at night, you’re not alone. There are many causes for nighttime grinding and it can be difficult to diagnose which is causing your issue. Sometimes stress and anxiety during the day can lead to clenching and grinding at night. Other times missing teeth, alignment issues, or other bite problems are the culprit behind tooth grinding. And for some patients, sleep apnea or another sleep disorder could also be the reason why you grind your teeth at night.

Signs of Teeth Grinding

When you come for a visit, the Oakboro Family Dentistry team will carefully listen to your concerns about teeth grinding. We’ll examine your teeth for signs of wear and tear and consider your overall health history before making a diagnosis and determining the right treatment. Sometimes patients don’t even realize that they are grinding their teeth until their dentist notices signs of excessive wear during a regular preventive exam.

How Do We Treat Nighttime Teeth Grinding?

If you grind your teeth at night, we can help. To treat nighttime grinding, our team can create a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth and give you the good night’s sleep you need. The type of mouthguard we create may depend on the underlying cause for your teeth grinding. For example, if you have sleep apnea, we may create an appliance that gently shifts the position of your jaw. In addition to opening your airway, this can reduce or prevent teeth grinding. Other times, we may opt for a protective mouth guard that provides a little bit of cushion for your teeth while you sleep.

Protecting Your Oral Health in Oakboro, NC

Oakboro Family Dentistry is here for all of your oral health care needs, including help with bruxism or teeth grinding. To ask our team any questions or to schedule an appointment, call us today!

Categorised in: Bruxism, Oral Health