Grinding teeth in Sleep:

Do you fit the profile for nighttime teeth grinding?


Grinding teeth in sleep is not good for your health. Some grinding and clenching occurs while awake but most is done during sleep and can occur during any stage of sleep. Because of the constant force against your teeth, grinding or clenching is a destructive process that causes slow but sure damage to your teeth, gums, and TMJ.

Are you grinding your teeth? Those who fall into this habit share some common traits...

Who is grinding their teeth?

Besides looking for clinical signs of grinding teeth at night, it helps to consider other factors that make teeth grinding at night more likely.

  • Personality traits: Type A personalities, over-achievers, and perfectionists fit the profile for teeth grinders.

  • Age: Grinding teeth in sleep is possible at any age, some children even grind their teeth. It is estimated that 30% of all children grind their teeth. Most kids quit when their permanent teeth fully erupt...no harm done. Except for the horrible sound it makes.

  • Sex: Men and women are equally at risk but men more commonly grind their teeth and women are more likely to clench their teeth.

  • Stress: Anyone who has stress in their life has the potential for clenching or grinding. That's just about everyone.

  • Family history: If your parents clench or grind their teeth you are more likely to have the same habit.

If you fit the profile for clenching and grinding, read these tips to stop grinding teeth. If you still grind or clench your teeth, you need a teeth grinding guard to wear at night.

How to rule it out:

Here are some habits that make grinding your teeth impossible. They seem obvious, but might help you rule out clenching and grinding at night. You are not a clencher or grinder if you: grinding teeth in sleep

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