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Custom Mouth Guards

7 Signs You Grind Your Teeth at Night (and What to Do)

By Dr. Lina Shahinyan, DDS, MS ·

Custom clear night guard and blue sports mouth guard on a clean surface

Most people who grind their teeth do it in their sleep — which means they find out from a partner, a headache or a cracked tooth.

The signs

Morning headaches at the temples, sore jaw muscles, teeth that look flat or chipped, new sensitivity, scalloped tongue edges, receding gums near the gumline and a partner hearing grinding.

Why it matters

Grinding can generate several times normal chewing force, wearing enamel, cracking teeth and breaking dental work.

What helps

A custom night guard absorbs force and protects teeth. If you also have jaw pain, a TMJ evaluation helps find contributing factors like stress and sleep.

Still have questions?

This article is for general education and isn’t a substitute for an exam. Call us or book a visit for advice about your own smile.

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