Grinding your teeth at night, known as bruxism, is often caused by a combination of stress, an uneven bite, and airway or sleep issues. Because it happens during sleep, many people don’t realize they do it until they notice worn teeth, jaw soreness, or morning headaches. Treatment depends on the cause and may include a night guard, bite correction, addressing an airway problem, or muscle-relaxing treatment.
At Solana Orthodontics, Dr. Sandra Nairooz looks at the bite, muscles, and airway together — because lasting relief comes from treating the cause, not just the symptom.
What causes nighttime teeth grinding?
- Stress and anxiety: a very common trigger for clenching and grinding.
- Bite misalignment: when teeth don’t fit together evenly, muscles overwork.
- Airway and sleep issues: grinding can be linked to disrupted breathing during sleep.
- Lifestyle factors: caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications can contribute.
What are the signs of bruxism?
- Worn, flattened, chipped, or sensitive teeth.
- Jaw soreness or fatigue, especially in the morning.
- Frequent tension headaches or earaches.
- A partner who hears grinding at night.
Why does grinding matter?
Left unaddressed, bruxism wears down enamel, can crack teeth or dental work, and strains the jaw joints and muscles — sometimes contributing to TMJ discomfort. That’s why we look beyond the symptom to what’s driving it.
How is teeth grinding treated?
- Night guard: cushions the teeth and protects enamel from grinding contact.
- Bite correction: orthodontics can address an uneven bite that’s fueling the clenching.
- Airway evaluation: if disrupted sleep is involved, addressing it can reduce grinding.
- Botox for the jaw muscles: can relax overactive muscles in muscular cases.
In our practice we often find the best results come from combining approaches. Our post on how Botox helps TMJ pain explains the muscular side, and whether TMJ can go away on its own is a helpful companion. Because airway can play a role, an airway evaluation is sometimes part of the picture.
An orthodontist’s whole-health approach
As a board-certified orthodontist and diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Sandra evaluates the muscles, bite, and airway driving your grinding before recommending a plan. If you wake with jaw pain or headaches, our TMJ & TMD treatment team can help you find lasting relief.
How is bruxism diagnosed?
Because grinding usually happens during sleep, many people don’t realize they do it until signs appear. We diagnose bruxism by examining your teeth for telltale wear — flattened, chipped, or worn-down surfaces — along with signs like enlarged jaw muscles, tenderness, or scalloped edges on the tongue. Your reports of morning jaw soreness, headaches, or a partner noticing grinding sounds all help complete the picture. In some cases, especially when sleep-disordered breathing is suspected, a sleep evaluation may be recommended. Identifying not just that you grind, but why, is what allows effective, lasting treatment.
What’s the connection between your bite and grinding?
When the upper and lower teeth don’t fit together evenly, the jaw muscles can work harder to find a comfortable resting position, which for some people contributes to clenching and grinding. This is why an orthodontist’s perspective is valuable — correcting a misaligned bite can, in the right cases, reduce the muscular strain that fuels bruxism. It’s also why a night guard alone, while protective, doesn’t address every cause: it shields the teeth but doesn’t fix an underlying bite issue. Evaluating the bite is part of getting to the root of the problem.
Can children grind their teeth too?
Yes, bruxism is actually common in children, and many grind during sleep at some point. In kids it’s often outgrown and may relate to growth, new teeth erupting, or airway factors. Occasional childhood grinding usually isn’t cause for alarm, but persistent grinding, significant tooth wear, or grinding accompanied by snoring and disrupted sleep is worth evaluating — particularly through an airway lens, since disrupted breathing can be a contributor. If you notice your child grinding regularly, mention it at their orthodontic or dental visit so we can keep an eye on it.
What happens if grinding goes untreated?
Over time, unaddressed bruxism can wear enamel down, flatten and chip teeth, crack fillings or crowns, and cause tooth sensitivity as the protective enamel thins. The constant muscle overactivity can also strain the jaw joints and muscles, contributing to TMJ discomfort, facial pain, and chronic headaches. None of this is inevitable — it’s exactly what treatment prevents — but it’s why grinding is worth addressing rather than ignoring. Protecting your teeth and calming the muscles early keeps small issues from becoming expensive dental problems.
What are the treatment options for bruxism in depth?
Because grinding has different causes, treatment is tailored to what’s driving yours, and often combines approaches:
- Custom night guard: a precisely fitted guard cushions the teeth and absorbs grinding forces, protecting enamel and dental work.
- Bite correction: when an uneven bite contributes, orthodontic treatment can address the underlying misalignment.
- Botox for the jaw muscles: for muscular grinding, small injections relax the overactive masseter and temporalis muscles that generate the force.
- Airway evaluation: when disrupted breathing is involved, addressing it can reduce grinding at its source.
- Stress management: since stress is a common trigger, relaxation techniques and good sleep habits help many patients.
How does Botox help with teeth grinding?
For grinding driven by overactive jaw muscles, Botox offers targeted relief. Small amounts injected into the masseter (and sometimes the temporalis) temporarily reduce the muscle’s ability to clench forcefully, easing the grinding pressure along with the tension headaches and jaw soreness that often accompany it. It doesn’t numb or freeze the jaw — you chew and speak normally — it simply dials down the excessive force. As an orthodontist trained in the muscles and mechanics of the jaw, Dr. Sandra Nairooz is well positioned to evaluate whether this muscle-focused option fits your case.
Lifestyle changes that can reduce grinding
Alongside clinical treatment, everyday habits help. Reducing caffeine and alcohol (especially in the evening), building a calming wind-down routine before bed, staying hydrated, and managing stress through exercise or relaxation techniques can all lessen grinding for many people. Being mindful of daytime clenching — noticing when your teeth are touching and consciously relaxing your jaw — makes a difference too. These changes work best alongside a night guard or other treatment, not as a replacement, but they address triggers that clinical care alone can’t reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a night guard stop me from grinding?
A night guard protects your teeth from damage but doesn’t stop the grinding itself. Pairing it with treatment that addresses the cause — such as bite correction, an airway evaluation, or muscle-relaxing options — offers fuller relief.
Can grinding be cured completely?
It depends on the cause. Stress-related grinding may ebb and flow, while bite- or airway-related grinding can improve significantly when the underlying issue is addressed. A combined approach offers the best chance of lasting relief.
Is a store-bought night guard good enough?
Over-the-counter guards offer some protection but often fit poorly, which can be uncomfortable or even shift the bite. A custom night guard fits precisely and lasts longer, and we can pair it with treatment that addresses the cause.
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
Common clues are morning jaw soreness, headaches, worn or sensitive teeth, or a partner noticing the sound. We can confirm it by examining your teeth for wear.
Can a night guard stop grinding?
A night guard protects your teeth from damage but doesn’t stop the grinding itself. Pairing it with bite or airway treatment addresses the underlying cause.
Is teeth grinding linked to sleep apnea?
They can be connected. Grinding is sometimes associated with disrupted breathing during sleep, which is why an airway evaluation can be worthwhile.