Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding (grinding the teeth against each other, usually subconsciously and at night) causes wear facets on the biting surfaces of the teeth, flattening them and predisposing the tooth edges to chipping.  The cause of grinding is usually stress!! Tooth grinding may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sore teeth, sore jaw and dull headaches. If it is severe, it results in a noticeable loss of vertical height from the teeth (see picture).

Because most of this wear is occurring while you sleep, your dentist may wish to make you a custom fit night guard (see picture below). The hard plastic guard protects the teeth from further wear and in many patients relieves pain from the jaws.