What Are the Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth at Night?

October 6, 2026

Grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep, a condition known as bruxism, can impact your smile and your overall health and well-being. Dr. Battise-Flores and her team at Traditions Dental may recommend a custom night guard to help protect your teeth and restorations from the effects of nighttime grinding and clenching. Recognizing the warning signs can help safeguard your smile and improve your sleep quality. We invite you to visit our practice in College Station to learn more about safeguarding your smile.

Understanding Bruxism and Its Impacts

Bruxism is a term that describes chronic teeth grinding and clenching, which often occurs during sleep. Patients are often unaware until alerted by a partner or family member or when a routine dental exam reveals tooth wear or damage.

Here is a look at some of the warning signs you may be grinding and clenching your teeth in your sleep:

  • Worn Teeth: The constant forces of grinding and clenching can place strain on your teeth, leading to excessive wear and a flattened appearance. Over time, tooth wear can leave your teeth looking noticeably shorter.
  • Tooth Sensitivity: When the surfaces of the top or bottom teeth grind together, they can expose the underlying dentin layer, which has tiny tubules that connect directly to the tooth’s nerves. That’s why patients with bruxism often experience sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and to sweet or acidic foods and beverages.
  • Chipped, Fractured, or Loose Teeth: The forces of grinding and clenching can weaken your teeth and lead to chips or fractures. With time, patients may experience shifting or loose teeth.
  • Damaged Dental Work: The excessive forces of bruxism can place stress on dental crowns, implants, veneers, and other dental restorations. Over time, this can lead to chips, cracks, or premature wear.
  • Gum Recession: The pressure from grinding and clenching can place undue stress on the bone and gum tissue around your teeth. Over time, this can lead to the gums pulling back or receding, which can expose your tooth roots and increase the risk of sensitivity and root decay.
  • Facial Muscle Soreness: Grinding and clenching can overwork the muscles of the face and jaw. You may find yourself waking up with tightness, tenderness, or a tired feeling around your cheeks and temples.
  • Jaw Soreness or TMJ Pain: The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are hinge-like joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. The forces of grinding and clenching can strain these joints and surrounding muscles over time, leading to jaw soreness or stiffness, difficulty opening or closing your mouth, or clicking and popping sounds when you move your jaw.
  • Ear Pain: The strain can cause ear pain without anything being wrong with your ears. This discomfort is often due to TMJ strain, which can create the illusion of an earache.
  • Morning Headaches: The stress from nighttime clenching and grinding can lead to morning tension headaches. Patients often describe what starts as a dull ache at the temples, which can often be mistaken for migraines.

What Is a Night Guard and How Can It Help?

A night guard, also known as an occlusal or bite guard, is a removable oral appliance you wear over the top or bottom teeth as you sleep. The protective guard creates a barrier and cushioning between your upper and lower teeth, helping reduce the impacts of bruxism and safeguarding your teeth and dental restorations. Your night guard can also reduce strain on your jaw joints and muscles, improving your comfort and quality of sleep.

It’s important to note that while custom night guards can reduce the impacts of teeth grinding and clenching, they are not considered a cure.

Why Choose a Custom Night Guard?

You’ve probably seen store-bought stock or boil-and-bite mouthguards online or at your local drugstore. While these options may provide some protection, a custom night guard offers a more precise, secure, and comfortable fit. We create your appliance from impressions of your teeth and use high-quality materials designed to feel less bulky than generic alternatives. Because your night guard is made specifically for your smile, it can provide more reliable protection for your natural teeth and dental restorations while you sleep.

Night Guards Near Me in College Station, TX

If you would like to learn more about protecting your smile from the effects of bruxism, contact Traditions Dental to schedule a consultation. Dr. Battise-Flores and her patient-centered team may recommend a custom night guard to help prevent enamel wear, reduce facial muscle fatigue, and support long-term oral health. We invite you to call 979-608-0242 or visit us online to request an appointment today.