What Causes Teeth Grinding and How Can a Night Guard Help?

Have you been waking up with a dull headache or stiff jaw lately? If so, you may be grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Dr. Singh and her team at Bridget Singh, DDS may recommend a night guard to safeguard your smile and restore your restful sleep. We invite you to visit our Seattle practice to get started today.

What Are the Causes of Bruxism?

While the causes are often challenging to pinpoint, chronic teeth grinding and clenching may result from different factors, which may include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, misaligned or missing teeth, high caffeine intake, or a family history. Other contributing factors may include prescription medications, such as those used to manage depression, seizures, or ADHD. Many patients have no idea they grind their teeth until symptoms begin to appear.

What Are the Impacts of Bruxism?

The pressure from constant grinding and clenching can expose your teeth and jaw to far more stress than normal chewing. Over time, the repeated strain can take a toll on your teeth, jaw joints, and surrounding muscles, leading to complications.

The following is a look at some of the impacts of bruxism:

• Worn or Flattened Teeth: Repeated grinding can gradually wear down the chewing surfaces of your teeth over time, making them appear flatter, shorter, or uneven.
• Chipped or Cracked Teeth: The excessive pressure caused by clenching and grinding can weaken your tooth structure, increasing the risk of chips, cracks, or fractures.
• Increased Tooth Sensitivity: As the tooth enamel becomes thinner, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and beverages.
• Damaged Dental Restorations: Bruxism can place excessive stress on your dental work, such as fillings, crowns, and veneers, damaging them.
• Frequent Morning Headaches: Chronic teeth grinding and clenching can cause tension in your jaw and surrounding muscles, leading to morning headaches.
• Sore Facial Muscles: The muscles in your cheeks, temples, and lower face may feel tight or tender, especially when you wake in the morning.
• Jaw Pain and Stiffness: Frequent grinding and clenching can overwork your jaw muscles, leading to soreness or stiffness when opening and closing your mouth.
• Disrupted Sleep: Nighttime grinding can interfere with restful sleep, leading to daytime fatigue.

How Can a Custom Night Guard Safeguard Your Smile?

A night guard, also known as a bite guard or occlusal guard, is a custom oral appliance designed to fit snugly over your top or bottom teeth during sleep. While it won’t necessarily stop you from grinding or clenching your teeth, it acts as a protective shield, helping absorb and redistribute the intense pressure placed on your jaw and teeth.

By creating a protective barrier between your upper and lower arches, a custom night guard can significantly reduce the risk of tooth wear, chips and fracture. It can also provide relief from morning headaches, jaw soreness, and TMJ pain for most patients. Wearing your custom oral appliance regularly can help protect your smile and restore your comfort.

Night Guard Near Me in Seattle, WA

If you have symptoms of bruxism or have been alerted by a partner that you grind and clench your teeth in your sleep, contact Bridget Singh, DDS, to schedule a personalized consultation. Dr. Singh may recommend a custom night guard to safeguard your smile and enhance your quality of sleep. We invite you to schedule your consultation by using this link or by calling our Seattle office at 206-399-3775.