What Does Teeth Grinding Sound Like?

The sounds of teeth grinding from one’s partner, child or family member can be a jarring experience. Beyond the annoyance it may bring a significant other, teeth grinding can cause serious damage to the jaw and teeth. Plus, teeth grinding may indicate serious dental issues, although only a dental examination can diagnose any underlying issues.

Here is what teeth grinding sounds like, some common symptoms of chronic grinding, and what you can do to reduce the pressure on your jaw.  

Actual Teeth Grinding Sounds

Grinding often sounds exactly as one would expect: grinding teeth. As this 1-minute video demonstrates, sounds may include squeaky, popping noises, or crunching sounds. It’s also common to hear scraping or chewing sounds when someone is grinding their teeth.

Teeth grinding or clenching can affect adults, children, and babies. Teeth grinding is somewhat commonplace in babies who are teething, as well as young children. 

Signs of what’s called bruxism can appear in adults for a variety of reasons, from excessive stress to drinking too much caffeine. Many people do not know they grind their teeth simply because they are asleep and cannot hear the sounds. 

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding at Night

Chronic grinding can lead to a range of health problems if left untreated. Everyday symptoms can include:

• Facial pain or sensitivity: Tenderness around the jaw, near the ears, or around the neck when chewing or opening the mouth wide. 
• Clicking or popping sounds: Hearing small popping or grating sounds in the jaw when chewing or speaking. 
• Teeth damage: Teeth may be chipped or ground down over time. This can lead to damaged tooth enamel or even broken teeth. 
• Headaches and earaches: Dull, consistent pain in the temples or ears is often a symptom of teeth grinding. 

Grinding may lead to more serious conditions such as TMJ disorders (temporomandibular joint disorders) if left untreated. These conditions affect jaw joints, jaw movement and can cause pain and tooth damage when eating or speaking.

There are a few common methods that may help you stop grinding or clenching your teeth. A certain percent of adults also suffer from sleep apnea along with sleep-related bruxism. In these relatively rare cases, a mouth guard or night guard (even cheap versions) can assist in reducing incidents of teeth grinding and sleep disorders.

If you wake up with unexplained jaw pain or hear clicking sounds in your jaw when eating, you may be grinding your teeth at night. New Image Cosmetic & Family Dentistry provides professional, friendly dentistry services in Vancouver, WA, that can address any issues with teeth grinding. Learn more about our office, or give us a call at (360) 604-7151.