Symptom Guide
Teeth Grinding
Most grinders have no idea they grind. Their teeth keep the receipts: flattened edges, morning jaw aches, and headaches that start at the temples.
Reviewed by our dentists, Updated April 2026
Signs you may be grinding or clenching
- Morning symptoms. A jaw that wakes up tired, temple headaches before breakfast, or teeth that feel vaguely sore with nothing visibly wrong.
- Visible wear. Front teeth with edges that look filed flat, tiny chips, or notches near the gumline where flexing has popped away enamel.
- New sensitivity. Worn enamel exposes the layer underneath, so cold and sweet start registering where they never used to.
- An earwitness. Grinding is loud. If someone has heard you do it, believe them.
Why it happens
Stress is the headline cause, and clenching through a hard week is practically a Roanoke tradition. But bite misalignment, certain medications, caffeine late in the day, and disturbed sleep breathing all play roles too. That mix matters, because the right treatment depends on which engines are running in your case.
Self-care today
During the day, build the habit check: lips together, teeth apart. Set a phone reminder if it helps; daytime clenchers are often shocked how often they catch themselves. Wind down caffeine after lunch, give the jaw softer food during flare-ups, and use moist heat on sore muscles in the evening. What self-care cannot do is protect enamel at 3 AM, which is where a night guard earns its keep.
When to call promptly
Book an exam if you notice new chips or flattening, if jaw pain or headaches are becoming a pattern, or if sensitivity is spreading across multiple teeth. Grinding damage is cumulative and quiet; the earlier a guard goes in, the more enamel it saves.
How we evaluate and treat it
We read the wear patterns on your teeth, check the jaw muscles and joint, and look at how your bite distributes force. The usual first move is a custom night guard, slim, durable, and made from an impression of your own teeth. When the joint is already irritated, our TMJ and TMD treatment addresses that side. Teeth already worn or chipped can be rebuilt with bonding or crowns, and when heavy grinding travels with snoring we screen for sleep apnea as well. Our jaw pain guide is a good companion read.
Protect the enamel you have
Call the Electric Rd office at 540-774-8288 or the Brambleton Ave office at 540-774-3143, or book online. Appointments run Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM at both Roanoke offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth if I am asleep when it happens?+
Look for the morning evidence: a tight or tired jaw, dull headaches near the temples, teeth that feel tender for no reason, or a partner who has heard the squeaking. Your dentist can see it too, in flattened edges, tiny chips, and wear patterns that match upper and lower teeth like puzzle pieces.
Is a pharmacy boil-and-bite guard good enough?+
It is better than bare enamel, but not by much. Boil-and-bite guards are bulky, fit loosely, and some people chew straight through them. A custom night guard made from an impression of your teeth is slimmer, lasts years, and distributes force the way it was designed to. Most committed grinders find the upgrade worth it quickly.
Can grinding actually crack my teeth?+
Yes. Grinding forces can far exceed normal chewing, and applied nightly for years they fatigue teeth exactly the way repeated bending fatigues metal. Many of the cracked molars we repair belong to grinders who never felt a thing until the crack announced itself.
Is teeth grinding connected to sleep apnea?+
In some people, yes. Grinding episodes can cluster around the micro-arousals of disturbed breathing during sleep. If you grind and also snore heavily, wake unrefreshed, or have been told you stop breathing at night, mention it. We screen for sleep apnea and treating the airway sometimes calms the grinding too.
Can children grind their teeth?+
Many do, and most outgrow it without damage as their bite matures. We keep an eye on wear during regular pediatric checkups and only intervene if the grinding is aggressive or persists into the adult teeth. Mention it at your child's next visit if you hear it at night.
★ When You're Ready
Come see for yourself.
Take your time choosing the office that fits.
Pick the Cave Spring office that's closer to you. Appointment scheduling is open 24/7 by phone or online, clinical visits are Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM at both offices.
Visit Electric Rd
2660 Electric Rd Suite A
Visit Brambleton Ave
4907 Brambleton Ave
Or call the front desk