We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Teeth Grinding Symptoms?

By Bethany Keene
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,388
Share

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common problem that is most often seen in young people, though it can appear in people of all ages, often due to stress. The teeth grinding symptoms are fairly straightforward, and typically include tooth sensitivity, pain in the jaw, bleeding gums, and a persistent, dull headache. Some people will experience broken or loose teeth as teeth grinding symptoms, while others may only be noticed by a dentist, such as more minor tooth damage or the wearing down of the enamel on the teeth.

Parents or sleeping partners may be the first to notice teeth grinding symptoms. Though some people simply clench their teeth together while they are sleeping, which can still cause problems; other people will actually grind the teeth together and move them back and forth in a chewing motion, which can make a distinct crunching noise. If a parent notices this, it should be addressed with a dentist. Mouthguards are typically used in children to prevent the teeth grinding, and many kids will grow out of it; adults may also choose to use mouthguards, though some find that stress reduction and other techniques are more helpful, such as cutting back on alcohol, which has been shown to increase teeth grinding.

People will often notice teeth grinding symptoms upon waking in the morning. Jaw tension and pain are some of the most common, though some will also notice that their teeth are becoming more sensitive and painful, especially to hot or cold liquids. This constant tension in the muscles of the face, neck, and jaw will often lead to pain and dull, constant headaches. Pain or bleeding in the gums is somewhat less common, but it can also occur. If one notices these symptoms it is important to make lifestyle changes to stop grinding the teeth; try practicing relaxation techniques, for example, or getting some exercise during the day to relieve stress.

Other teeth grinding symptoms will typically appear after a period of time in which the teeth grinding has not been corrected. This can be loose teeth, cracks in the teeth or damage to existing fillings, or wear in the enamel that is progressing more rapidly than normal. A dentist will generally notice these symptoms if the patient has not yet. This can require extensive dental work if the teeth grinding does not stop, which can be a very painful and expensive process.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Ocelot60 — On Dec 09, 2014

@raynbow- In a pinch, I think that you should give a retail mouth guard a try. They come in different sizes, and definitely help control a person from grinding his or her teeth while sleeping.

If you try an inexpensive mouth guard and find that it doesn't fit properly or that it doesn't help to correct your problem, you may have to have one made by your dentist. Since he or she will be able to do impressions of your teeth to make your custom mouth guard, you will get a precise fit. It will also be made of high-quality materials, so it will last much longer than a cheap mouth guard.

If you do find that you need a custom-made mouth guard but are on a tight budget, you should talk to your dentist about your options. Some dental insurance plans will cover the cost of mouth guards. If yours doesn't or you don't have dental insurance, your dentist may be willing to set you up on a payment plan. This way you will be able to pay for your mouth guard over time and stop your teeth grinding. This will actually save you money over time, because teeth grinding can cause dental problems that are expensive to fix.

By Raynbow — On Dec 08, 2014

I was wondering if the type of mouth guards that you can by over the counter will help to control nighttime teeth grinding as well as those made by a dentist. I need one, but I don't have the money to pay for a mouth guard that is custom made.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-teeth-grinding-symptoms.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.