Most people who clench at night have no idea. These are the signs you can spot yourself, and what can be done about them.
Most people who grind or clench at night do not know it, because it happens outside conscious control. The signs, however, are visible in the mouth and around the jaw. You can check yourself against the list below; a definitive assessment comes from examining the wear patterns on the teeth.
Signs you can notice yourself
- Tired or tight jaw muscles on waking
- Morning headaches starting around the temples
- Clicking or limited opening of the jaw
- Front teeth that look flattened or shorter
- Molar cusps worn smooth
- Fine crack lines in the enamel
- Sensitivity that is worse in the morning
- Scalloped indentations along the edge of the tongue
- Fillings or crowns that keep fracturing
What causes it
There is no single cause. Stress and anxiety are the factors most often linked to it, along with disturbed sleep, certain medications, caffeine and tobacco. An uneven bite, such as a high filling or missing teeth that unbalance chewing forces, can also increase muscle activity.
Why it matters
Chewing muscles are powerful, and without conscious control during sleep the forces applied can exceed daytime levels. Over years that wears through the hard tissue, exposes dentine, shortens the teeth and causes sensitivity. The same forces chip filling margins and shorten the life of crowns and bridges.
How a night guard helps
A guard does not stop the clenching; it distributes the force and wears down instead of your teeth. It is simple but effective. A custom guard made from impressions fits properly, whereas soft over-the-counter versions can increase muscle activity in some people, so the choice is made after an assessment.
What else helps
Avoiding caffeine and tobacco in the evening, protecting sleep routine, and learning to keep the upper and lower teeth apart during the day all help. At rest the teeth should not touch, yet many people clench without noticing. Warm compresses and relaxation exercises ease muscle soreness.
Restoring worn teeth
Where wear is limited, the priority is protection and monitoring. Where structure has been lost, small defects can be rebuilt with composite and more advanced cases discussed with options such as a zirconia crown, always with force distribution in mind. If missing teeth are unbalancing the bite, restoring the gap with a dental bridge or another method spreads the load. Our clinic is in Muratpasa and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
