Night Grind - Why your teeth may be telling a deeper sleep story
Dr. Peter Balacky, DDS
Do you wake up with a sore jaw, stiff neck, or teeth that feel worn or extra sensitive?
You might be grinding your teeth at night without even realizing it.
It’s called sleep bruxism, and while most people blame it on stress, there's often something else going on....something you can't see, but your body feels every night. It may have more to do with how you're breathing while you sleep than what’s on your mind.
Your Teeth Are Doing the Talking. But What Are They Trying to Say?
Grinding doesn’t just damage your teeth, it wears down enamel, cracks dental work, causes gum recession, and can lead to pain in your jaw or face. Some people notice the discomfort right away. Others don’t find out until their dentist spots signs of wear or tension.
Sure, a custom nightguard can help protect your teeth, but if your body is clenching for a reason, the guard won’t stop the cause. So, let’s talk about why grinding happens in the first place.
Could It Be More Than Just Stress?
When Breathing Stops, the Body Reacts
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) happens when your airway gets blocked during sleep, causing you to stop breathing for a few seconds, sometimes dozens or hundreds of times a night. Your brain senses the oxygen drop and jolts you awake, just enough to start breathing again.
These constant mini wake-ups can trigger your jaw muscles to tighten or clench, which can lead to grinding.
Think of it this way: that grinding might not be just a bad habit. It might be your body working overtime to help you breathe.
What Studies Have Found
- Kato et al. (2001): Grinding often followed moments when people briefly stopped breathing during sleep.
- Aarab et al. (2011): Treating sleep apnea reduced grinding episodes in many patients.
- Sutherland et al. (2014): Oral appliances that stabilize the airway helped improve sleep—and reduced clenching in some cases.
The DayBreak® Device: A Comfortable Option for Snoring & OSA
If you’ve been diagnosed with OSA, or if snoring is an issue, there’s good news: not every solution involves a big, noisy machine.
The DayBreak® mandibular advancement device (MAD) is a small, custom-fit oral appliance worn while you sleep. It works by gently shifting your lower jaw slightly forward, helping to keep your airway open through the night.
It’s:
- FDA-cleared for the treatment of snoring and OSA
- Comfortable and easy to wear—no hoses, no masks
- Portable and travel-friendly, unlike CPAP
- Designed to be used every night to support better sleep and airflow.
While the DayBreak® device doesn’t treat bruxism, many patients with sleep apnea find that getting more restful, uninterrupted sleep helps reduce the symptoms that come along with disrupted breathing like fatigue, fogginess, and jaw tension.
So, What Can You Do?
If you’re waking up with:
- Sore or tired jaw muscles
- A dull morning headache
- Teeth that feel worn or sensitive
- Constant snoring, or a partner who says you stop breathing in your sleep.
......your body might be trying to tell you something. And you don’t have to guess.
You can:
- Ask for a home sleep test—it’s easy, quiet, and done in your own bed.
- Explore treatment options like oral appliances if OSA is diagnosed.
- Get proactive about your sleep and dental health, don’t just cover the symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Grinding your teeth isn’t just about stress. It could be your body’s way of saying, “Hey! I’m not breathing well at night!”. A nightguard might protect your enamel, but it won’t fix what’s happening deeper down.
If your sleep is struggling, your teeth, and your health, could be paying the price.