How to Know if You Need a Mouth Guard for Sleeping

Teeth grinding or clenching that happens in your sleep can be hard to notice at first, but knowing how to recognize the signs is key to taking early action. We’ll go through the most common ways to recognize that you grind or clench your teeth, and what you can do to stop it in its tracks.

 

One of the earliest signs of teeth grinding and clenching is feeling like your jaw muscles are tight or sore, especially when waking up in the morning. If when you stretch your jaw open you feel tension and tenderness, this is a good indicator that you may be tensing your jaw and therefore clenching or grinding your teeth.

Headaches are another common symptom of teeth grinding and clenching. Of course, headaches can occur for a variety of reasons, but if they are also accompanied by feelings of jaw tension or soreness, it is likely that the headaches are related to grinding.

Another common symptom is the wearing down of the surfaces of your teeth, and even sometimes cracks or other more severe damage to your teeth. Often by the time tooth wear or damage is noticeable, it’s likely that you have been grinding or clenching your teeth for a while.

If you find yourself noticing one or more of these signs, it’s time to take action. Wearing a mouth guard for clenching can help absorb the powerful forces exerted by your jaw muscles, relieving tension and protecting your teeth.

Since teeth grinding typically happens subconsciously during sleep, a mouth guard for sleeping is an effective way to protect your teeth. Getting a mouth guard that is custom made for you will ensure not only excellent protection, but also a comfortable fit, since it is made to fit your teeth and mouth exactly.

If you’ve been wondering if you grind or clench your teeth and need a mouth guard, you’re now well on your way to identifying those early signs and symptoms so you can get your teeth the protection they need.