Often, teeth grinding (also called bruxism) is caused by the following issues:

• Stress and anxiety may increase muscle tension and jaw clenching during the night or when you are not paying attention during the day.
• Sleep disorders or poor sleep hygiene can lead to sleep disruptions, particularly sleep apnea, resulting in teeth grinding as a mechanism that helps you keep the airways open. Also, disrupted sleep can increase stress and anxiety, leading to worsening of teeth grinding.
• Some medications, particularly psychiatric drugs and antidepressants, can trigger bruxism.
• Intake of stimulants such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drugs also increases the risk of teeth grinding. 
• Misaligned teeth and bite, or temporomandibular joint issues, can cause your jaw muscles to hypercontract.

The main symptoms that may indicate that you grind your teeth at night include the following:

• Headaches after you wake up
• Pain or soreness in the jaw, jaw joint, or facial muscles
• Stiffness in the jaw or difficulty opening your mouth
• Clicking sound when opening your mouth
• Signs of premature wear on the teeth or dental restorations
• Receding gums

Teeth grinding can and often does damage the teeth. In fact, one of the main symptoms that you grind your teeth is signs of premature wear on teeth or dental restorations. This happens because our bite is very strong and our teeth can not withstand constant teeth grinding or clenching. If you notice that some or all of your teeth or dental restorations are getting worn out, we recommend consulting your dentist and wearing a mouthguard at night to prevent further damage.

Teeth grinding can be treated with several methods depending on the cause of the condition. The immediate decrease in grinding and its adverse effects can be achieved by wearing a mouth guard at night. Additionally, you may need to address your sleep hygiene, dietary habits, and general mental health. Doctors often recommend cutting down on caffeine, alcohol, and smoking, and implementing relaxation techniques, counseling, and physical activities into your routine. Also, making an effort to relax your jaw as often as possible during the day can reduce muscle strain and clenching at night. Patients whose symptoms are caused by malocclusion or TMJ disorder might also benefit from orthodontic treatment.

A night guard is a very effective method when treating teeth grinding that also provides immediate results. A mouth guard fixes your jaw in one position for the duration of your sleep and prevents you from moving your jaw. Also, a mouth guard provides a barrier between the teeth, absorbing the clenching force and preventing teeth from wearing out.

We recommend seeing a dentist as soon as you notice that you grind your teeth, especially if your symptoms include tooth wear, morning headaches, pain in the jaw, neck, ears, or difficulty opening your mouth. 

Yes, a custom oral appliance can improve sleep quality by helping keep your airway open throughout the night, reducing interruptions in breathing caused by obstructive sleep apnea. Many patients experience less snoring, fewer nighttime awakenings, and feel more rested and alert during the day. If you cannot tolerate a CPAP machine or have mild to moderate sleep apnea, an oral appliance may be an effective alternative. 

Many medical insurance plans, including Medicare and some PPO plans, provide coverage for oral appliance therapy when it is prescribed to treat diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea.  Since benefits vary by insurance plan, our team can help verify your coverage, explain your benefits, and answer any questions before treatment begins.