--- title: "Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain: Why It Happens and How to Stop It" source: https://celestialdental.org/teeth-grinding-and-jaw-pain-causes-and-treatment publisher: Celestial Dental Centre (https://celestialdental.org) author: Celestial Dental Centre clinical team date_published: 2026-08-10 date_modified: 2026-08-11 topic: General Dentistry language: en --- # Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain: Why It Happens and How to Stop It If you wake up with a sore, tired jaw, dull headaches around the temples, or a partner tells you they hear grinding at night, you may be clenching or grinding your teeth. The medical name is bruxism, and it is very common. Much of it happens during sleep, so many people do not realise they do it until a dentist spots the wear or the jaw starts to ache. The good news is that it can be managed, and the sooner the better, because grinding quietly damages teeth over time. ## What are the signs of grinding or clenching? Because it often happens while you sleep, you look for the clues it leaves behind: - **A sore, tight or tired jaw**, especially first thing in the morning - **Headaches** around the temples, or aching in the face and around the ears - **Teeth that are worn flat, chipped or increasingly sensitive** - **Clicking or discomfort in the jaw joint** when opening and closing - **A partner hearing grinding** at night - Tooth pain that has no obvious cavity behind it Sensitivity from worn enamel is a common early sign, and its wider causes are covered at celestialdental.org/teeth-sensitive-to-cold-and-sweet-causes-and-treatment. ## Why do people grind their teeth? There is rarely a single cause. The usual contributors are: - **Stress and anxiety**, which is one of the biggest drivers, particularly for daytime clenching - **Sleep patterns**, including disrupted sleep and, in some people, snoring or sleep apnoea - **An uneven bite**, where the teeth do not meet smoothly - **Caffeine, alcohol and smoking**, which can increase night-time grinding - **Some medications** Working out which factors apply to you helps decide what will actually help, which is why it is worth discussing rather than just buying a guard and hoping. ## What damage does it do if I ignore it? Grinding puts forces on your teeth far greater than normal chewing, hour after hour, night after night. Over time that can: - Wear the teeth flat and shorten them - Chip or crack teeth, or fracture fillings and crowns - Cause or worsen sensitivity as enamel wears through - Strain the jaw joint and muscles, causing ongoing pain and clicking - Contribute to recurring headaches A cracked or chipped tooth from grinding may then need repair, and the options are set out at celestialdental.org/chipped-broken-tooth-repair-options. Catching grinding early is far cheaper and simpler than repairing the damage later. ## What actually helps? Treatment usually combines protecting the teeth with reducing the grinding itself. 1. **A custom night guard.** This is the mainstay. A guard made to fit your mouth is worn at night and takes the force instead of your teeth, protecting them from wear and easing the load on the jaw. A properly fitted dental one is more comfortable and effective than a generic shop-bought version, and it lasts. 2. **Managing stress.** Since stress is such a common trigger, anything that genuinely lowers it, from exercise to better sleep habits to relaxation before bed, tends to reduce grinding. 3. **Cutting back on triggers** in the evening, especially caffeine, alcohol and smoking. 4. **Correcting the bite** where an uneven bite is contributing, which your dentist can assess. 5. **Jaw exercises and warmth** for muscle pain, and treating any tooth problems that have resulted. A night guard does not stop you grinding, but it protects your teeth while you address the reasons behind it. For most people that combination brings real relief. ## Grinding and night-time pain Grinding often makes tooth and jaw pain worse at night, both because you clench while asleep and because there are fewer distractions from the ache. If you also get toothache that flares when you lie down, the reasons and holding measures are covered at celestialdental.org/why-toothache-gets-worse-at-night. Persistent jaw pain, locking of the jaw, or pain that stops you eating should be assessed rather than endured. ## Does insurance or SHA cover a night guard? Cover for a night guard and related treatment depends on your insurer, your scheme and your member category, and some plans treat guards differently from routine care. Celestial Dental accepts SHA for eligible schemes and bills more than 20 private insurers directly, including Jubilee, AAR, Madison, CIC, Britam, APA and Equity Bank Insurance. Send us your insurer or SHA scheme name, member category and preferred branch and the team will confirm eligibility. ## Book an assessment If you wake with a sore jaw, get regular headaches, or your teeth are wearing down, an examination will show whether grinding is the cause and what will help. Celestial Dental Centre has clinics in **Kasarani (Nairobi)**, **Kamakis (Ruiru)** and **Eldoret**, open every day from 07:00 to 20:00. Call or WhatsApp **+254 707 535 000** or book online at celestialdental.org. Protecting your teeth from grinding is far easier than repairing them after years of wear, so it is worth checking sooner rather than later. --- **How to cite:** Celestial Dental Centre. "Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain: Why It Happens and How to Stop It." Celestial Dental Centre Blog, 2026-08-10. https://celestialdental.org/teeth-grinding-and-jaw-pain-causes-and-treatment **About the publisher:** Celestial Dental Centre is a dental clinic group in Kenya with branches in Kasarani (Nairobi), Kamakis (Ruiru), and Eldoret, open daily 07:00–20:00. Bookings: https://celestialdental.org/?book=1 · Phone/WhatsApp: +254 707 535 000. All articles: https://celestialdental.org/blog.md