Tooth-grinding or clenching is a very common complaint – most of us do it from time to time, but for some, it becomes a problem when their nocturnal gnashing causes pain, discomfort, or damage to their teeth.  You may not be aware of it, so here are 4 main signs of grinding to look out for.

1. Headaches

 Headaches are a common symptom of grinding or clenching, especially if you have them first thing in the morning and the pain is felt around the area of your temples or ears.

2. Jaw pain or discomfort

 The average person’s bite produces 70 lbs of pressure when chewing normally.  Clenching and grinding while you sleep can produce up to 6 times as much pressure, so jaw pain and discomfort are likely.

3.  Difficulty opening your mouth

 Grinding can cause some issues with the joint that connects your jaw to your skull (known as the TMJ).  This may lead to difficulty opening your mouth wide, clicking of your jaw, or even locking if you open too wide.

4. Tooth wear and/or sensitivity 

Worn or chipped teeth are usually the result of grinding.  Over time, the teeth become shorter and flatter, and they can feel sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks as the enamel is worn away. 

You may experience a couple of the symptoms listed, or you might suffer all of them at one stage or another.

So, what can we do about it?

The main way to prevent grinding is by wearing a specially designed mouthguard to wear at night, which works by keeping your teeth apart, reducing the pressure on your teeth and protecting them from further damage, and we can also restore worn and chipped teeth back to their former glory (check out our Cosmetic Bonding blog post).

If any of these symptoms are familiar to you, don’t suffer in silence.  Mention it at your next visit, or click here to arrange a consultation.