Your partner says you grind your teeth at night. You've never heard it, because you were asleep. All you know is that your jaw feels tight when you wake up and your head aches by nine. At Care Plus Dental Clinic in Sector 8, Sanpada, Dr. Divya Vitkar sees this often. Here are seven signs of teeth grinding at night, and what to do about each.
Sign 1: Someone hears you grinding
This is the clearest clue. The sound is a slow scrape or a sharp crunch, and a partner or a child sleeping nearby is often the first to notice it. The medical name is bruxism. It usually happens in sleep, which is why you can grind for years without knowing.
If nobody has heard it, don't assume you're in the clear. Many people sleep alone, or sleep through the noise themselves.
Sign 2: A sore jaw or headache in the morning
Grinding is hard muscle work, done for hours while you sleep. By morning the jaw muscles are tired and the temples can throb. Penn Medicine lists jaw pain and headaches among the usual effects of bruxism.
The tell is timing. If the ache is worst when you wake up and eases through the day, grinding is a good suspect.
Sign 3: Teeth that look flat, worn or chipped
Look at your front teeth in the mirror. Edges that have turned flat, or small chips you can't explain, point to teeth rubbing against each other. Dr. Vitkar often spots this during a routine check-up before the patient has noticed anything.
Small chips can usually be rebuilt with a tooth-coloured filling. A tooth that has cracked deeper may need a crown, and our page on dental crowns and bridges explains how that works.
Sign 4: Teeth that suddenly feel sensitive
Grinding wears away enamel, the hard outer layer. Underneath is softer dentine, which reacts to cold drinks and hot tea. If your teeth have turned sensitive and you haven't changed toothpaste or had any work done, grinding may be the reason. Our post on why teeth turn sensitive and what helps goes through the other common causes.
Sign 5: Jaw clicking, or trouble opening wide
Grinding and clenching put steady strain on the jaw joint, just in front of each ear. You might hear a click when you open or chew, or feel the jaw catch halfway. Some people find a wide yawn is suddenly uncomfortable.
MedlinePlus lists jaw joint problems among the complications of bruxism. If you can't open your mouth fully or it locks, book a visit soon rather than waiting.
Sign 6: Indents on your tongue or ridges inside your cheek
Stick out your tongue and look at the edges. Scalloped, wavy marks mean it has been pressed hard against your teeth. A rough white line along the inside of your cheek tells the same story. Both suggest you clench even when you're not grinding.
Sign 7: Stress that follows you to bed
Stress and anxiety are among the most common triggers. Busy working weeks in Vashi, Nerul or Navi Mumbai's office parks, long commutes, and deadlines all show up in the jaw. Medicines, heavy caffeine and tobacco can also play a part.
This one isn't a symptom you can see. It's a pattern. If you notice the first six signs and also have a stressful stretch, tell Dr. Vitkar about both.
What to do about teeth grinding at night
The usual answer is a night guard, a custom-made cover that sits over your teeth while you sleep. It doesn't stop the grinding. It stops your teeth from taking the damage, so the guard wears down instead of your enamel.
A guard made by a dentist from an impression of your own teeth fits properly and stays put. The boil-and-bite ones from a chemist are a cheaper stopgap, but they can be bulky and are harder to sleep in.
There is one thing to check first. Grinding is sometimes linked to snoring and sleep apnoea, a condition where breathing briefly stops in sleep. Dr. Vitkar asks about snoring and tiredness before recommending a guard, because a guard is not always the right first step for someone with possible sleep apnoea.
Alongside the guard, a few habits help. Cut back on caffeine in the evening, wind down before bed, and notice during the day whether your teeth are touching when you're not eating. They shouldn't be. Resting your lips together with a small gap between your teeth is the relaxed position.
What a night guard costs
We have not listed a figure here because the price depends on the material and how much grinding you do. We couldn't verify a reliable local price, so we'd rather not guess. Exact pricing depends on the case, and you will get a clear quote at the consultation.
When you don't need to come in
If you clench now and then during a stressful week, and your jaw feels fine and your teeth look normal, you don't need a night guard. Try the habits above first.
Come in if the pain lasts more than a few weeks, if teeth look shorter or chipped, or if your jaw clicks or locks. Come in sooner if a tooth has cracked or a filling has come loose. If it's the middle of the night and a tooth hurts badly, read what to do for a toothache at night.
You can read Dr. Vitkar's qualifications on the Dr. Divya Vitkar page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Common signs are a sore jaw or headache on waking, flat or chipped teeth, new sensitivity, and a partner hearing the noise. A dentist can often confirm it from the wear on your teeth at a check-up.
Do I need a night guard?
Not always. If you only clench occasionally and your teeth look healthy, you may not. If you have visible wear, regular morning pain or jaw problems, a guard protects your teeth while you sleep.
How can I stop grinding my teeth at night?
There is no single switch. Reducing stress, cutting evening caffeine and keeping your teeth apart during the day all help. A night guard protects the teeth but does not stop the habit itself.
Can teeth grinding damage my teeth?
Yes. Over time it can wear enamel, chip teeth, loosen fillings and strain the jaw joint. Catching it early keeps the repair work smaller.
Is there a dentist near Sanpada for teeth grinding?
Care Plus Dental Clinic is at Shop no. 17, Tricity Montview, Sector 8, Sanpada, and patients also come from Vashi, Juinagar, Nerul and Turbhe. Dr. Vitkar can check for wear and talk through your options.
Can children grind their teeth?
Yes, and it is fairly common. Many children grow out of it, but mention it at their next check-up so the dentist can keep an eye on the teeth.
If your jaw has been telling you something for weeks, book a visit at Care Plus Dental Clinic, Shop no. 17, Tricity Montview, Sector 8, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai. Dr. Vitkar will look at your teeth, explain what she sees, and you decide the next step together.
Sources: Penn Medicine: Bruxism; MedlinePlus: Bruxism.