Grinding Your Teeth at Night: Damage and Fix
Published by The Seoul Dental Clinic · Meet the dentists
Night grinding often goes unnoticed until a partner hears it or your teeth start to show wear. Typical signs are a tired jaw on waking, headaches, flattened tooth edges and sensitivity. A dentist can confirm the pattern and suggest protection such as a custom night guard or, in selected cases, jaw botox.
Signs you may be grinding
Bruxism is clenching or grinding the teeth, often during sleep and often linked with stress, sleep patterns or bite habits. Because it happens while you are asleep, most people learn about it from someone else or from a dentist.
Look for these clues:
- Jaw or face muscles that feel tight or tired in the morning
- Dull headaches around the temples
- Flat, shiny or chipped edges on teeth
- Teeth that feel sensitive without an obvious cavity
- Indentations on the sides of the tongue or cheeks
- Clicking or soreness in the jaw joint
What grinding can do over time
Constant pressure wears enamel, can crack teeth and loosen old fillings or crowns, and may strain the jaw muscles and joints. People who already have dental work can find that crowns or veneers chip sooner when grinding is not controlled.
Not everyone who grinds develops serious damage, and the speed varies. That is why an examination, rather than guesswork, is the sensible first step.
How a dentist confirms it
Talk through your symptoms
We ask about sleep, stress, morning jaw feelings, and habits such as daytime clenching.
Examine wear and muscles
The dentist looks at wear patterns on the teeth and checks the chewing muscles and joint for tenderness.
Check existing work
Crowns, fillings and veneers are checked for chips or loosening that could be linked to grinding.
Agree a protection plan
We explain the options, their limits and prices before you decide.
Protection and treatment options
| Option | Purpose | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Custom night guard | Cushions teeth and spreads biting force while you sleep | Quoted after examination |
| TMJ splint | Rests the joint and muscles when jaw pain is part of the picture | ₩600,000 published |
| Jaw botox | Softens an overactive chewing muscle in selected cases | ₩90,000–₩150,000 published |
| Repair of worn or damaged teeth | Fillings, inlays, crowns as needed | See the published price list |
Published prices are non-covered, with VAT possibly applying. No night guard price is published, so we quote it after examination.
Custom guard versus a pharmacy one
Over-the-counter guards are cheaper and can be a short-term stopgap, but they are generic in shape. They may feel bulky, slip, or not match your bite, which is why many people stop using them.
A custom guard is made from an impression or scan of your own teeth, so it fits closely and can be adjusted. It protects teeth; it does not stop the grinding itself. Botox or stress management address the cause in different ways, and results depend on your case.
Grinding in children and teens
Children sometimes grind their teeth during sleep, and many grow out of it. Baby teeth wear down quickly, so it is worth mentioning at a check-up, but treatment is rarely urgent unless there is pain, visible wear or disturbed sleep.
For teenagers and adults, exam stress, late nights and heavy caffeine are common companions of grinding. If you notice the habit return in busy periods, that is useful information to share with your dentist when planning protection.
Habits that help alongside treatment
Cut back on late caffeine and alcohol, build a calming evening routine, and notice daytime clenching. Teeth should rest slightly apart, lips closed, when you are not eating.
If snoring or interrupted breathing is also an issue, mention it, because that may call for a medical sleep assessment. English consultation is available at our clinic near Taepyeong Station Exit 5.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth?
Morning jaw tightness, temple headaches and worn tooth edges are common clues, and a dentist can confirm by examination.
Can grinding be stopped completely?
Not always. A guard protects the teeth, and other measures may reduce the clenching, but results depend on your case.
How much is a night guard?
No price is published, so it is quoted after examination. A TMJ splint is published at ₩600,000.
Is jaw botox suitable for grinding?
It can be considered when a strong chewing muscle is involved. The published range is ₩90,000–₩150,000, and your dentist will discuss expectations.
Do children grind their teeth?
Some do, and it often settles on its own. If you are worried, have the dentist look.
English-speaking dentists in Seongnam
The clinic was founded by two brothers trained at Seoul National University who direct it together. Three further dentists hold Ministry of Health and Welfare specialist certifications. Full credentials →
Dr. Hyun Sung Park
Clinic Director
- Co-founder and joint clinic director
- DDS, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Dept. of General Dentistry, SNU Dental Hospital
- Microendodontics Programme, SNU
- Course completion, UCLA, USA
- Member, UPenn Endodontics Study Club, USA
- Certified Invisalign Provider
- Osstem Implant AIC Programme
- Member, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
Dr. Hyeonjoon Park
Clinic Director
- Co-founder and joint clinic director
- DDS, Seoul National University School of Dentistry
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Dept. of General Dentistry, SNU Dental Hospital
- Affiliate Associate Fellow, American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
- Certified Invisalign Provider; leads orthodontic treatment
- Course completion, UCLA, USA
- Member, UPenn Endodontics Study Club, USA
- Member, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
- Member, Seoul Prime Orthodontic Study Club
Dr. Yu Jin Kim
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry (Ministry of Health and Welfare)
- Johns Hopkins University, USA
- Master’s degree, SNU Graduate School of Dentistry
- Former staff, Osaka University Dental Hospital, Japan
Dr. Min Ji Choi
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Conservative Dentistry
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry
- Internship and residency, Jeonbuk National University Dental Hospital
- Master’s degree in Conservative Dentistry, Jeonbuk National University
Dr. Jin Young Choi
Dentist
- Board-certified specialist, Advanced General Dentistry
- Clinical training, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Master’s degree, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Dentistry
- BA in English Language and Literature, Korea University
Protect your teeth
Book an English consultation near Taepyeong Station and we will check for wear, then talk through guard options and prices.