TL;DR:
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is more common than you might think—especially in times of stress. If you’re waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or tooth sensitivity, you might be grinding your teeth at night without realizing it.
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding, clenching, or gnashing your teeth—usually while you sleep. It’s considered a stress-related response but can also be caused by misaligned teeth, airway issues, or even certain medications.
There are two types:
– Sleep bruxism (most common and harder to detect)
– Awake bruxism (conscious clenching during the day, often from stress or focus)
Left untreated, bruxism can lead to serious oral health problems.
You may not realize you grind your teeth until a dentist points it out, but these symptoms are red flags:
– Sore jaw or facial muscles when you wake up
– Headaches or earaches in the morning
– Cracked, chipped, or flattened teeth
– Increased tooth sensitivity
– Clicking or popping in the jaw (TMJ issues)
– Damage to dental work (crowns, fillings, veneers)
– Sleep disruption for you or your partner (grinding can be loud!)
If you notice one or more of these signs, it’s worth having an exam—even if you feel like your teeth “look fine.”
Bruxism is a complex condition with multiple potential causes:
– Stress or anxiety (major contributor for both kids and adults)
– Misaligned bite or missing teeth
– Airway obstructions or sleep apnea
– Medications such as SSRIs (antidepressants)
– Genetics – it may run in families
– Lifestyle factors like caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco use
At Designing Smiles, we take the time to find the root cause—so we can treat it, not just the symptoms.
Once we diagnose bruxism, we offer several treatment options depending on your needs:
These are not your average drugstore mouthguards. Our team creates a custom-fit acrylic guard that cushions your teeth and relieves jaw pressure during sleep.
In select cases, small doses of Botox can help relax the muscles responsible for clenching—relieving pain and reducing grinding. This treatment is growing in popularity and has shown promising results.
If your bite is misaligned, we may recommend minor adjustments or orthodontic care to bring your jaw into a more natural, restful position.
We can refer you for sleep studies or collaborate with your physician if an underlying condition like sleep apnea is contributing to your grinding. Stress-reduction techniques may also be recommended.
If you’re dealing with headaches, cracked teeth, or jaw pain that won’t go away—don’t ignore it. These symptoms rarely improve on their own, and early intervention can prevent major damage (and expensive dental work) down the road.
At Designing Smiles, we’ve helped countless patients across Roseville and the Twin Cities identify and treat bruxism with gentle, custom care.
📍 Located in Roseville, MN
🦷 Offering custom nightguards, Botox for TMJ pain, and full bite evaluations
📞 Call us today to schedule a consultation—your jaw will thank you!
– American Dental Association (ADA). Bruxism. https://www.ada.org
– Mayo Clinic. Teeth grinding (bruxism). https://www.mayoclinic.org
– Sleep Foundation. Teeth Grinding. https://www.sleepfoundation.org
– Cleveland Clinic. Bruxism: Causes and Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org
