Can Teeth Grinding Cause Headaches?

Reviewed by  Monroe Elkin, BS PHARM., DMD

There are many different kinds of headaches, both primary and secondary. Primary headaches are those that people experience that are not caused by an underlying problem. Secondary headaches can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, from a hangover or a panic attack to glaucoma or even a brain tumor.

Primary headaches can be triggered by a number of factors, including alcohol, processed meat containing nitrates, changes in or lack of sleep, and skipped meals, among others. If you're experiencing regular headaches, you should talk to your doctor about the potential causes to narrow it down and center in on the likely cause so you can take the appropriate action.

If bruxism, or teeth grinding, ends up as your diagnosis, the first thing your doctor or dentist will likely suggest is that you get a custom-fit nightguard like the CustMbite Nightguard or CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard. These nightguards protect you from headaches by eliminating their source of the pain. They're the same quality as dentist-provided custom-fit nightguards, but cost a fraction of the price. Continue reading to learn more about how grinding your teeth can cause headaches and find out which nightguard will work best for you.

So can grinding teeth cause headaches?

In a word, yes. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, generally causes dull headaches that start in the temples. If you grind your teeth during the day, you may suffer from constant headaches. If you only grind your teeth at night, you may wake up each morning with this type of headache.

Bruxism does cause other symptoms as well. If you find that you have flattened, chipped, fractured, or loose teeth with no obvious explanation, it could be that you suffer from nighttime bruxism and aren't even aware of it. Bruxism can also lead to increased tooth pain and sensitivity or pain that feels like an earache even if problems with your ear have been ruled out. Bruxism can also cause your tooth enamel to wear down and expose deeper layers of your tooth, which can be extremely painful.

If you suffer from bruxism headaches or other painful symptoms, a proper nightguard is the first and best solution you'll want to try.

Which nightguard is best for teeth grinding headaches?

CustMbite has developed two nightguards customized to the degree of teeth grinding you experience. The following descriptions should help you determine which nightguard is right for you.

• CustMbite Nightguard
  If your headache or other pain is mild to moderate, you can probably benefit from the CustMbite Nightguard. This guard is flexible and comfortable, and prevents your teeth from grinding together during sleep. It comes in regular and petite sizes, so if a young child in your life has headaches due to bruxism, this is definitely the product for them. The standard nightguard also comes in a variety of colors so you can choose how you look when wearing it.

• CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard
  If your pain is leaning towards moderate to severe, the product for you may be the CustMbite Hard Surface Nightguard. This guard is also custom-fit, but it has a more durable, hard-surface layer that allows teeth to move freely while the jaw is in motion, preventing teeth from pressure while you sleep. If you have tried standard nightguards and your teeth have chewed right through it, this may be your best option.

Both of CustMbite's nightguards are designed for effectiveness, comfort, and affordability. They are made entirely in the United States, so you can depend on high quality standards as well.

CustMbite's customizable nightguards are made of our proprietary Vistamaxx material, which remains soft and flexible while being strong enough to stand up to teeth grinding night after night. Because they are so thin and flexible, they are much more comfortable than other bulky nightguards on the market. This is essential because if your nightguard is not comfortable, you are more likely to leave it on the bathroom counter than to wear it each night.

Where can I get the best nightguard for teeth grinding headaches?

CustMbite's nightguards have been evaluated and cleared by the FDA and are BPA-, PVC-, latex-, and phthalate-free for your safety. They are easy to keep clean and fresh using our All Natural Oral Appliance Cleaner. Order the best nightguard for your teeth grinding headaches, and say goodbye to painful bruxism headaches for good.