Many adults grind or clench their teeth at night and don’t even know it. Often, your partner hears the grinding before you ever feel anything. Over time, though, this habit can quietly wear down enamel, crack fillings, and leave your jaw sore every morning.
Night grinding, or bruxism, is often linked to stress, anxiety, poor sleep, excess caffeine, or alcohol use close to bedtime. Some people clench while working on a laptop or driving, then continue the same pattern subconsciously in sleep. If you wake up with headaches, tight jaw muscles, or tooth sensitivity, it might be more than “just stress”.
Simple changes can help: reducing caffeine in the evening, cutting back on late-night alcohol, and adding calming pre-sleep habits like stretching, reading, or breathing exercises. Pay attention during the day too – if your teeth are touching when you’re not eating, you’re likely clenching.
A dentist can spot flat, worn surfaces or small fractures and may suggest a night guard. It’s a simple plastic shield that sits over your teeth and absorbs some of the pressure. It doesn’t fix stress, but it helps protect your smile while you work on the root causes in your lifestyle.