Normal chewing results in brief intervals of contact between teeth. Under normal circumstances, your teeth should only contact for about 5 minutes each day. Slight amounts of wear over years of use is common, and bite edges can chip a little.
Sometimes teeth develop a flattened, worn appearance, even in young patients. X-rays may reveal unusually thin layers of enamel as if sandpaper has been drawn across the chewing surfaces of the teeth. A few minutes of chewing daily simply shouldn’t erode the enamel so much.
You Don’t Even Know
Some patients develop a subconscious habit of grinding their teeth, either during the day or night. In many cases, the abrasive action occurs only during sleep, and for only a few seconds at a time. If you wake up with a sore jaw or a morning headache, chances are you’re grinding your teeth during the night. In some patients, enlarged jaw muscles develop on the sides of the face from this nighttime grinding. These muscles are, ounce for ounce, the strongest in the body, which means they can do a lot of unnecessary damage.
The unusual activity not only wears down teeth and strains the overworked muscles. The compressive forces can also damage the intricate jaw joints on one or both sides. Damage to the joints may lead to arthritic changes, chronic pain, and popping or clicking. Once these changes settle in, reversing their condition may become impossible.
Avoiding Irreversible Damage
If you’re waking up with a sore jaw or headaches, or you’ve noticed chips or flattening of your teeth, a consult with Dr. Baldwin is recommended. The sooner the problem receives attention, the less damage there will be. Often a carefully calibrated night guard will eliminate the symptoms while protecting your precious enamel.
Daytime habits of clenching or grinding deserve attention too. Dr. Baldwin will analyze your bite and make sure they’re moving against each other properly when you chew. Regardless of the cause, eliminating the strain on the jaw and your teeth as quickly as possible can save you money and time spent in the dental chair.
What is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, happens when your upper and lower teeth press or scrape against each other more than they should. It can show up as tight clenching during a stressful moment, or as grinding at night while you sleep and have no idea it is happening. Over time, this extra force wears down enamel, flattens the biting edges, and can even cause tiny fractures.
Many people first notice the effects rather than the habit itself. Morning jaw soreness, headaches around the temples, or a partner mentioning grinding sounds are common clues that something is going on with your bite while you sleep.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding usually has more than one cause. Stress and tension are big triggers, especially when they carry over into sleep. A bite that does not line up comfortably can also push the jaw to search for a better position, which leads to clenching and grinding. Certain medications, caffeine late in the day, and sleep issues like snoring can make things worse.
Even focused tasks, such as working at a computer or driving in traffic, can turn into times when the jaw tightens without you noticing. Understanding what is behind the habit helps guide what type of cosmetic dentistry treatment actually fits your situation.
Why Bruxism(Teeth Grinding) Needs to be Treated?
Bruxism is not just a noisy habit. Those repeated forces slowly change the shape of your teeth and the way your jaw joints work. Enamel can wear thin, fillings may crack, and teeth can become sensitive to hot and cold. Teeth that are already weakened or misaligned teeth can wear down even faster under the pressure of grinding. The jaw muscles stay overworked, which leads to soreness, stiffness, and headaches that are hard to trace.
The pressure also travels into the jaw joints, which may start to click, pop, or feel uncomfortable when you open wide. If grinding continues unchecked, these changes can become permanent and harder to correct. Treating teeth grinding early protects your bite, your comfort, and your long-term oral health.
Treatment Options for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Treatment starts with figuring out when and how the grinding is happening. For many patients, a custom night guard is a key part of the plan. This slim appliance fits over the teeth and creates a smooth surface, so the upper and lower arches do not grind directly against each other. It absorbs extra force and helps protect the enamel from further wear.
Dr. Baldwin may also look for high spots or areas where teeth hit too hard and gently adjust the bite. Conversations about stress, posture, and daytime clenching habits can be part of the visit, too. Together, these steps reduce strain on the teeth, muscles, and jaw joints.
Why Choose Baldwin Distinctive Dentistry for Teeth Grinding Treatment?
At Baldwin Distinctive Dentistry, teeth grinding is taken seriously because of the long-term impact it can have on your smile, comfort, and health. During your visit, Dr. Baldwin studies your teeth, reviews X-rays if needed, and evaluates how your jaw moves when you open, close, and chew. Any signs of wear, chipping, or joint tenderness are noted so nothing is overlooked.
Night guards are carefully calibrated, not just handed out, which means they are shaped to your bite and adjusted as needed. The team explains what they are seeing in plain language and helps you understand how small changes now can prevent bigger repairs later. The goal is steady relief, not a quick fix.
Signs You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth
Teeth grinding often happens without you realizing it, especially during sleep. The actual grinding may only last a few seconds at a time, but it can repeat throughout the night. Waking up with a tight or sore jaw, tenderness near your temples, or a dull morning headache are common signs. Partners sometimes notice the sound before you do.
In more advanced cases, the jaw muscles along the sides of the face become bulky from overuse and feel tired by the end of the day. Those muscles are incredibly strong, so when they keep working against your teeth, they are capable of doing more damage than most people expect.
Preventing Long-Term Damage from Teeth Grinding
If you notice flattened biting edges, tiny chips, or you keep waking up with jaw pain or headaches, it is time to talk with Dr. Baldwin. Catching bruxism early means less wear on your teeth and fewer problems for your jaw joints later. A custom night guard can often ease symptoms and shield the enamel from further grinding.
Daytime clenching is important to address as well. Dr. Baldwin will look at how your teeth meet, make sure they slide against each other properly when you chew, and point out habits that might be adding extra strain. Reducing that pressure now can save you from larger, more complex treatment in the future.
Schedule an Appointment for Teeth Grinding Las Vegas today!
If teeth grinding has been lingering in the background of your life, you do not have to wait until something breaks or starts hurting all the time. A visit with Baldwin Distinctive Dentistry gives you a chance to talk through your symptoms, have your teeth and jaw carefully evaluated, and learn what is actually happening beneath the surface.
Dr. Baldwin reviews your options with you, from night guards to bite adjustments, so you can decide what feels right. There is no pressure to choose on the spot, only clear information and support. When you are ready to get help with teeth grinding Las Vegas style, the team will help you take the next step toward quieter nights and a more comfortable bite.
