Most people who grind their teeth don’t realize they’re doing it. It happens while they sleep; they hear no sound, and they remember nothing in the morning. But their jaw knows. Their teeth know. And over time, the damage adds up.
At Orchard Hill Dental in Hendersonville, NC, Dr. Jessica Christy sees the effects of nighttime grinding (called bruxism) almost every week. Some patients come in with flattened teeth. Others wake up with a cracked crown or a chipped veneer. Many are surprised when we point it out.
So how do you know if you’re grinding at night? And when should you get a nightguard?
Signs You Might Be Grinding in Your Sleep
You can’t watch yourself sleep, but your body leaves clues. Watch for these:
- A sore jaw or tight facial muscles when you wake up: If your jaw feels stiff before you’ve even had coffee, that’s a red flag.
- Morning headaches: Grinding puts pressure on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles, which can trigger headaches that fade as the day goes on.
- Flattened or worn tooth edges: Your teeth should have slightly rounded edges. If the chewing surfaces look flat or shiny, enamel is wearing away.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold: Worn enamel exposes the softer layer underneath, which reacts to temperature.
- Chips you can’t explain: If a tooth chips while you’re eating soft food, grinding may have weakened it first.
- A partner who hears it: Not everyone grinds loudly, but if someone has mentioned a scraping or clicking sound at night, believe them.
Why It Matters
Grinding doesn’t just wear down teeth. It stresses the jaw joint (the TMJ), the facial muscles, and any dental work you’ve had done. That includes:
- Crowns and bridges: porcelain can chip under repeated force
- Veneers: same story; they’re strong but not indestructible
- Dental implants: the post is safe, but the crown on top can crack
- Natural teeth: enamel doesn’t grow back once it’s gone
Unchecked grinding can also contribute to TMJ disorders, which bring jaw pain, clicking, and sometimes limited opening. Dr. Christy treats TMJ symptoms regularly, and grinding is often part of the picture.
Custom Nightguard vs. Store-Bought
You’ve probably seen boil-and-bite nightguards at the pharmacy for $20 or $30. They’re better than nothing, but they have real limits.
Store-bought guards:
- Are bulky and often uncomfortable
- Loosen over time as the plastic wears
- Don’t fit precisely, so they can shift during sleep
- May actually encourage grinding in some people because of the poor fit
Custom nightguards from our Hendersonville, NC, dental office:
- Are made from a digital scan of your teeth using our intraoral scanner, no messy impressions
- Fit snugly and stay in place all night
- Are made from durable, dental-grade material that lasts years
- Are thinner and more comfortable, so you’re more likely to actually wear them
A well-fitted guard absorbs grinding force so your teeth don’t have to. It also cushions the contact between your upper and lower teeth, which can ease jaw strain.
What to Expect at Your Visit
If you suspect you’re grinding, bring it up at your next appointment or call to schedule a consultation. Dr. Christy will:
- Examine your teeth for wear patterns and small fractures
- Check your jaw joint for tenderness or clicking
- Ask about morning symptoms like headaches and jaw tightness
- Take a digital scan if a nightguard is the right choice
Your custom guard is usually ready in about two weeks. Most patients adjust to wearing it within a few nights.
Protecting the Work You’ve Already Done
If you’ve invested in dental crowns, veneers, or implants, a nightguard is one of the cheapest ways to protect that investment. It’s far less expensive than replacing a cracked crown and far more comfortable than waking up with a sore jaw every morning.
Dr. Christy is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and she brings the same attention to detail to every nightguard we make. If grinding is wearing down your smile, we can help you protect it. Call (828) 247-7001 or request an appointment online.