5 Reasons You are Grinding Teeth in Your Sleep

If you have ever woken up with a dull headache, a sore jaw, or a sudden sensitivity to your morning coffee, you might be one of the millions of people who grind their teeth in their sleep. This condition, medically known as sleep bruxism, is more than just a noisy habit that disturbs your bed partner. It is a complex dental and neurological pattern that can have lasting effects on your oral health and sleep quality.

While a dentist can repair damaged teeth, understanding why your body is under such intense nighttime stress often requires looking at the bigger picture of your health. This is where Everlab’s comprehensive health assessments can provide clarity. By investigating your health markers and how your body functions as a whole, it becomes easier to identify the underlying factors that may be contributing to your teeth grinding.

Types of Bruxism

Grinding doesn't always wait for the lights to go out. There is also awake bruxism, which is when you subconsciously clench your jaw or grind your teeth while you are wide awake. You might notice this happening when you are deep in thought, driving in traffic, or feeling stressed at work.

Sleep bruxism is a bit different because it's often linked to your sleep cycles. It is most common during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, but many people carry the habit into their later years. Whether it's mild bruxism that happens once in a while or severe cases that happen every night, the impact on your health is significant.

How Do You Know If You're Grinding Your Teeth in Your Sleep?

Since teeth grinding happens while you sleep, many people do not realise they are doing it. Most only become aware after developing symptoms or being told by a partner. Some of the common teeth grinding symptoms include:

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Beyond these immediate signs of teeth grinding, chronic grinding can apply up to 250 pounds of force to the teeth. This leads to irreversible tooth damage, such as flattened surfaces, and increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures due to exposed dentin (the sensitive layer under your enamel). This pressure is significantly higher than the force used during normal daytime chewing.

1. Sleep Breathing Problems

When you have sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, your airway gets partially blocked during sleep, cutting off oxygen. Your body reacts to this by tensing the jaw or pushing it forward to help keep the airway open, which can trigger grinding or clenching.

People with sleep apnoea are much more likely to grind their teeth. As oxygen levels drop, your body enters a high-stress state, your muscles tense, and your sleep becomes choppy.

Sleep bruxism is often linked to these shifts in sleep stages, where your jaw starts moving as a reflex to help you keep breathing.

2. Stress and Worry

When you're stressed, your body stays in "fight or flight" mode. This tension doesn't magically disappear when you fall asleep. It lingers in the nervous system, keeping your jaw muscles tight and active.

Psychosocial stress, particularly anxiety and anger, is a major trigger for teeth grinding. Even if you don't feel "stressed" in your mind, your body may still be holding onto physical tension from the day.

You might be more anxious than you realise, your grinding teeth are telling the story your mind won't admit. Many people grind their teeth every now and then, especially during stressful times.

3. Missing Nutrients in Your Diet

Your body needs certain vitamins and minerals for your muscles to relax properly. When you don't have enough of these, it can show up as teeth grinding.

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While these deficiencies are not always the main cause, they can worsen existing bruxism symptoms.

4. Medications

Certain medications can increase the risk of teeth grinding. Some drugs change the chemistry in your brain in ways that affect muscle control during sleep. This includes some antidepressants and medications used for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

These can keep your nervous system more active than usual, even while you are trying to rest. If you started to grind your teeth after starting a new medication, it is worth discussing this with your doctor. Do not stop medication without medical advice.

Additionally, stimulants like caffeine keep your nervous system "on" for hours after consumption, while alcohol makes your sleep lighter and more broken, the perfect conditions for teeth grinding to occur.

5. Other Health Factors

Certain health conditions show higher rates of teeth grinding, either because of increased muscle tension, involuntary movements, or jaw joint problems.

• Jaw Joint Problems (TMJ Disorders) - The temporomandibular joint is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. Chronic grinding strains this joint, leading to clicking sounds and trouble opening your mouth fully. In some cases, this can lead to larger, overdeveloped jaw muscles that change the appearance of your face.
• Brain and Nerve Conditions - Conditions like Parkinson's disease or epilepsy often involve involuntary muscle movements.
• Family History - Genetics play a role; if your parents were "grinders," you are much more likely to be one too.

Does Teeth Grinding Cause Real Damage?

If left untreated, constant teeth grinding can lead to serious health problems that go way beyond your teeth. The Australian Dental Association points out that finding the habit early is the best way to avoid major dental surgery later.

• Tooth Damage - Flattened tooth surfaces, chipped edges, or loose teeth can occur. When the inner dentin is exposed, it can lead to permanent pain.
• Chronic Pain - Ongoing grinding can lead to persistent jaw and face pain that affects eating and talking.
• Overall Health Impact - Poor sleep leads to never-ending tiredness, irritability, and can even impact your immune system over time

Management and Treatment Options

Bruxism treatment usually focuses on protecting the teeth and managing the underlying stress. Here are several practical steps to help you reduce teeth grinding:

• Mouth Guards - A dentist can make occlusal appliances, which are custom-made mouthpieces that fit over your top and bottom teeth (or specifically the upper or lower teeth) to protect them. There is also splint therapy ensure your jaw position stays safe during sleep.
• Physical Relief - Jaw stretching exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your jaw and reduce the likelihood of teeth grinding. If your jaw is sore, applying hot towel compresses to the jaw can increase blood flow and provide comfort to painful areas.
• Relaxation - Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga and better sleep habits can help reduce stress and anxiety.
• Sleep Habits: Practising good bedtime hygiene, such as limiting screen time before bed, can help reduce nighttime teeth grinding. Also, staying hydrated can help prevent dry mouth, which is linked to an increased risk of teeth grinding.

When to Seek Professional Help

Knowing when to get help can prevent years of unnecessary pain. You should see your dentist if:

• Visible tooth wear, chips, or cracks
• Jaw pain or trouble opening your mouth
• Clicking or popping sounds in your jaw
• Teeth that hurt when eating hot or cold food

However, it may be worth investigating further if:

• You've tried lifestyle changes and a mouth guard without improvement
• You have multiple unexplained symptoms like tiredness, headaches, and brain fog.
• You think you might be low on certain vitamins or minerals, but basic testing didn't check for them.

Everlab helps you look at the biological reasons for these habits. By analysing biomarkers and reviewing your overall health data, you can identify the root causes of your sleep bruxism and get better quality sleep.

Conclusion

Grinding teeth in sleep is often a physical sign of something else going on inside, whether that is stress, a lack of certain nutrients, or a breathing issue. By identifying the contributing factors early, you can protect your smile and significantly improve your quality of sleep.

Book your discovery call now to check if there are underlying causes for your symptoms of teeth grinding.