Most people who grind their teeth at night have no idea they're doing it until a partner mentions the noise or a dentist spots the wear. The condition, known as bruxism, is surprisingly common. More than 70% of dentists report seeing signs of teeth grinding or clenching in their patients1.
Left unchecked, it can wear down enamel, trigger headaches, and strain the jaw2. It's no wonder, since some people clench with up to 250 pounds of pressure while asleep3. The good news is that once you understand what's causing it, learning how to stop grinding your teeth at night is very manageable.
What Is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. Grinding involves moving the jaw back and forth with the teeth pressed together, while clenching simply means tightening the jaw without the back-and-forth motion. Both can lead to soreness, but grinding tends to cause more visible wear on the teeth4.
Bruxism can happen either during the day or as teeth grinding in sleep. Daytime or awake bruxism tends to occur during moments of stress, anger, or deep concentration, often without you noticing. Sleep bruxism is different. It's classified as a sleep-related movement disorder, meaning it's not something you can consciously control2. Because you can't feel how hard you're clenching while asleep, the forces involved are often far greater than during the day, which is part of why nighttime grinding tends to do more damage3.
Signs You Grind Your Teeth in Your Sleep
Most people don't notice sleep bruxism themselves. Often, a partner or family member hears grinding noises and flags it first2. In some cases, a dentist may be the first one to notice due to signs of related damage.
With that said, here are some signs of teeth grinding you can watch for:
- Jaw soreness, tightness, or fatigue, especially in the mornings
- A headache when you wake up, often near the temples
- Worn tooth enamel, which can expose the inner layers of the teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity, especially to hot or cold food or drinks
- Teeth that are flattened, chipped, cracked, or loose2
- Indentations along the side of the tongue3
- Jaw clicking, popping, or locking that's worse in the mornings4
- Restlessness or trouble staying asleep through the night5
If you notice several of these signs together, it's worth bringing up at your next dental visit.
What Causes Nighttime Teeth Grinding?
Experts don't fully understand what causes teeth grinding in sleep, but it has been linked to several factors. Psychosocial factors, such as stress and nervousness, are commonly cited contributors. Genetics may also play a part, since the condition can run in families.
Lifestyle factors make a difference as well. Consuming alcohol or caffeine and smoking are associated with a higher risk of grinding. Additionally, certain medication can increase the risk, including those used to treat depression, seizures, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)6.
How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth at Night
Treatment typically combines two approaches: protecting your teeth from damage and addressing the underlying triggers.
Custom Night Guards
A custom night guard for teeth grinding, fitted by your dentist, is usually the first line of defense. It separates your teeth during sleep, preventing damage and helping reduce muscle activity from grinding and clenching. Custom guards are made of hard resin and shaped to match your natural bite, offering better protection than store-bought "boil and bite" versions7.
Stress Management and Lifestyle Changes
Because stress is such a common trigger for bruxism, many treatment plans also focus on lifestyle changes. Relaxation techniques like meditation, counseling, and deep-breathing exercises have been shown to help1.
Learning how to stop grinding teeth at night also means understanding the importance of good sleep hygiene. Keeping a consistent bedtime, avoiding caffeine after lunch, cutting back on alcohol, and not smoking can all support better sleep and fewer grinding episodes. Finally, it's a good idea to avoid hard or chewy foods and gum, which can cause additional strain on the jaw3.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Teeth Grinding?
Left untreated, bruxism tends to get worse. Continued grinding can crack or fracture teeth and wear away enamel, exposing the more sensitive layer underneath and making teeth more reactive to temperature and pressure3. Fillings, crowns, and other dental work can also become damaged in the process2.
In more severe cases, ongoing grinding can lead to jaw muscle and joint problems, known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Problems may include clicking, popping, or pain when opening and closing the mouth. Chronic tension-type headaches and persistent facial or jaw pain are also common hazards of untreated bruxism2. In the most serious cases, unaddressed bruxism can even result in tooth loss3.
Night Guards & Bruxism Care at Beam Dental
If you have bruxism, Beam Dental can help you find relief. We offer custom-fitted night guards for teeth grinding designed to perfectly match your bite, protecting your teeth from grinding while you sleep and easing the jaw tension that comes with it. Unlike over-the-counter options, our custom guards are built from durable materials suited to the severity of your condition, from hard acrylic for heavy bruxism to softer materials like silicone and soft vinyl/EVA for less serious cases.
We have locations across New York and New Jersey, making it easy to get care where it's most convenient to you. Schedule an appointment with Beam Dental today to find the right solution for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
You may not know about your sleep bruxism until learning about it from someone else, like a partner who hears the grinding. Beyond that, watch for physical clues, including jaw soreness or tightness upon waking, a dull headache near your temples, or teeth that look worn, flattened, or chipped2.
Increased tooth sensitivity and indentations along the sides of your tongue can also be signs of teeth grinding3. If you notice jaw clicking or popping that's worse in the morning, that's another indicator worth mentioning to your dentist4.
Does a night guard stop teeth grinding?
No, a night guard does not stop teeth grinding or clenching. But it can help protect your teeth against the damage that grinding and clenching cause. Bruxism is caused by your central nervous system and can't be prevented by a night guard7.
Instead, the night guard creates a barrier between your teeth, which prevents damage and helps reduce the muscle tension and jaw strain that come with grinding6. If you're looking for how to stop grinding teeth at night, it's necessary to address the underlying cause. A night guard for teeth grinding can offer protection in the meantime.
What causes teeth grinding in your sleep?
There's no single known cause of teeth grinding in sleep. Several factors are commonly linked to it, including genetics and psychosocial factors like stress and nervousness. Lifestyle factors can also contribute, including smoking and drinking caffeine and alcohol. Certain medications have also been linked to an increased risk of nighttime grinding, including those used to treat depression, seizures, and ADHD6.
Can teeth grinding damage your teeth permanently?
Yes, teeth grinding can cause permanent damage to your teeth, especially if it goes unaddressed. Chronic grinding can crack or fracture teeth and wear away enamel, which doesn't grow back once it's gone. It can also damage fillings, crowns, and other dental work.
In severe, long-term cases, the damage can be significant enough to result in tooth loss. Catching bruxism early and protecting your teeth with a night guard can help prevent this kind of permanent damage.
Is an over-the-counter or custom night guard better?
A custom night guard is generally preferable to an over-the-counter "boil and bite" model. While over-the-counter versions are cheaper and available right away, they aren't custom fitted to your individual bite. A personally tailored guard made by your dentist is adapted specifically to your teeth and adjusted to match your natural bite, helping to keep your teeth and jaw properly aligned7.
Custom guards can be made from various materials, including hard acrylic, silicone, or soft vinyl/EVA, depending on the severity of your grinding. Hard acrylic typically offers the best protection for heavy bruxism.
Sources:
- Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain. MouthHealthy, American Dental Association. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-grinding
- (27 December 2024). Teeth Grinding (Bruxism). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095
- Bruxism. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bruxism
- Falace, D. (15 October 2015). Tooth Clenching or Grinding. American Academy of Oral Medicine. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.aaom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129:tooth-clenching-or-grinding&catid=22:patient-condition-information&Itemid=120
- Mark, A.M. (September 2021). What Is Bruxism? The Journal of the American Dental Association. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177%2821%2900381-0/fulltext
- (March 2025). Bruxism. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/bruxism
- (4 March 2026). 7 Tips To Stop Grinding Your Teeth at Night. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Retrieved June 30, 2026, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-grinding-teeth
