You wake up with a sore jaw.Maybe you have a headache.Maybe your teeth feel strangely sensitive.You don't remember doing anything unusual while sleeping.
So what's going on?
One possibility is bruxism—grinding, clenching or gnashing your teeth.
And here's the strange part:You may not even know you're doing it.NIDCR notes that bruxism can occur during sleep or while awake, and people may be unaware that they're grinding or clenching.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism refers to grinding, clenching or gnashing of the teeth.It can happen while you're awake or asleep.Mild cases may not require treatment, but more severe bruxism can contribute to:
- Tooth wear
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw muscle soreness
- Headaches
- Facial discomfort
How Do You Know You're Doing It?
You might not.That's why certain signs can be useful clues.
Look for:
- Flattened tooth surfaces
- Chipped teeth
- Increased sensitivity
- Jaw soreness
- Jaw tightness
- Morning headaches
- Facial pain
- Tired jaw muscles
Someone telling you they hear grinding sounds at nightNIDCR lists worn, chipped or cracked teeth and jaw soreness among possible signs of bruxism.
Why Does It Happen?
There isn't always one simple cause.Factors associated with bruxism can include:
- Stress
- Emotional distress
- Genetics
- Alcohol consumption
- Caffeine consumption
- Smoking
- Certain medications
This is important because simply telling someone to "stop grinding" isn't particularly useful when the grinding occurs unconsciously.The first step is identifying whether bruxism is actually present and how significantly it is affecting the teeth and jaw.Your Teeth Can Show EvidenceImagine a person who says:"I don't grind my teeth."But the dentist notices:
- Significant wear
- Flattened biting surfaces
- Chipping
- Sensitivity
That doesn't automatically prove bruxism.Tooth wear can have several causes.But these findings can prompt further questions about clenching and grinding.A proper dental assessment is therefore more useful than self-diagnosis.
Conclusion
You might spend eight hours asleep without knowing what's happening inside your mouth.Your teeth, however, may leave clues.So if you're waking up with jaw pain, sensitive teeth or unexplained tooth wear, don't automatically blame your pillow.Your teeth might be telling you something.
