Waking Up With a Sore Jaw or Headache? It Could Be Night Grinding

Most people who grind at night do not know they do it. The clues show up in the morning.

Common morning signs

• A tight or aching jaw when you wake up.

• A dull headache around the temples.

• Teeth that feel sore or sensitive.

• Flat, worn or chipped tooth edges.

• Cracked fillings, crowns or veneers.

• A partner who hears grinding at night.

Why it happens at night

During sleep the jaw muscles can clench and grind with strong force, sometimes many times a night, without waking you. Stress, broken sleep, snoring, some medicines, caffeine and alcohol can all make it more likely.

Check yourself in 2 minutes

Answer a few quick questions in the 2-minute self-check. It does not give a diagnosis, but it shows whether an examination is worth booking.

When to see a dentist

Book an examination if you have these signs most mornings, if your jaw clicks, locks or hurts when you chew, or if the pain lasts. Jaw pain and headaches can have other causes, so they are worth checking properly.

Read more

The full guide, with a 30-day tracker, is in my book, The Bruxism Solution, now on Amazon Kindle.

General information for patients. It does not replace an examination.