4 Signs Your Teeth Grinding Is Getting Out Of Control

Our body does some unusual things while we sleep. Among these unusual behaviors, teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can be one of the most harmful. Over time, this grinding together of your teeth can lead to tooth decay and loss, a condition that can typically be avoided. In order to address this issue, though, you first have to know it exists. If you think you might struggle with teeth grinding, here are four signs it is getting out of control.

Lock Jaw

If you struggle to open your mouth in the morning, it could be a sign of severe teeth grinding during the night. As you clench your teeth together, your muscles tighten in this single position, often for many hours at a time. When you wake up, then, it can be difficult to open your mouth, as the muscles have been under tension all night. This is similar to what would happen if you made a fist with your hand for a long period and then suddenly tried to open your hand. If it’s hard to open your mouth, it indicates your teeth grinding likely went on for quite some time during the night.

Tooth Pain

Teeth grinding ultimately involves your top and bottom teeth grinding together. If this grinding is severe enough, then, you will likely feel pain in your teeth when you wake up. The force with which you clench your teeth together can be immense, leading to pressures on your teeth that they weren’t designed to withstand, at least for more than a few seconds. If you experience tooth pain, it’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible, as this could indicate tooth damage resulting from your teeth grinding.

Your Bedmate Notices

If you share a bed with someone and they notice your teeth grinding, it is likely getting out of control. Severe teeth grinding creates bone-chilling noises that are audible if someone is lying close to you. If your bedmate becomes aware of your teeth grinding, then it means that the condition lasted long enough and was serious enough to be present and audible whenever your bedmate was awake during the night.

Your Start Losing Parts Of Teeth

Over time, tooth grinding can weaken the key protective layers and structures of your teeth. If this occurs, and the tooth grinding continues, you put yourself at risk of breaking off small sections of your teeth. This will result in the need for multiple dental procedures to protect the remaining parts of the teeth and help prevent more teeth from being broken.

If you notice you have severe teeth grinding, it’s important to seek assistance as soon as you can. A dentist can provide a nightguard that will prevent your teeth from rubbing against each other. Additionally, it’s important to work to eliminate stress and anxiety in your life as much as you can, as these are common causes of teeth grinding at night.

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Written By:
Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com. 

Photo by María Victoria Heredia Reyes on Unsplash