Most people don’t visit the dentist expecting to talk about snoring or poor sleep.
As an Atlanta dentist, I’ve seen a growing number of patients who grind their teeth at night—and most have no idea why.
They wake up tired. Their teeth are chipping. They’re clenching without realizing it. But here’s what many don’t know: grinding is often a symptom of a sleep disorder, not just a bad habit.
At a recent continuing education course, I spoke with my orthodontic partner, Dr. Tyler Rathburn, about how airway problems often show up first in the dental chair—and how we can work together to catch them early.
What Teeth Grinding Reveals About Sleep
“You become a functional drunk when it comes to lack of sleep,” I told Dr. Rather during our discussion.
That comparison may sound harsh, but it’s accurate. When your body doesn’t get deep, restorative sleep, it compensates in damaging ways—like clenching or grinding. Over time, this leads to:
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Tension and soreness in the jaw
- Brain fog or fatigue
- Signs of airway restriction
Dr. Rathburn said it well: “The reason people chip and break their teeth has to be something. And most people grind at night. So the question is—why are they doing that?”
If you’re seeing these signs, our TMJ and airway dentistry services in Sandy Springs can help you get answers.
Most Atlanta Dentists Aren’t Screening for This
As dentists, we’re often trained to look at teeth first. But that can lead us to treat symptoms instead of root causes.
At Flax Dental, we’ve made a deliberate shift. We now start every evaluation by asking the right questions:
- Do you wake up feeling rested?
- Have you been told you snore?
- Are your teeth chipping or showing signs of wear?
We pair those answers with a physical evaluation of your bite, tongue space, and jaw alignment—so we don’t miss what’s happening beneath the surface.
“It starts with asking the right questions and doing the right screening,” Dr. Rathburn said.
How We’re Helping Atlanta Patients Sleep—and Smile—Better
The relationship between your airway and your teeth is real. A restricted airway can cause clenching. An underdeveloped jaw can disrupt breathing. And both can wreak havoc on your sleep and oral health.
That’s why we now:
- Evaluate your full facial anatomy
- Look for signs of sleep-disordered breathing
- Collaborate with orthodontists and sleep medicine specialists
- Address cosmetic issues linked to chronic grinding
Our cosmetic dentistry services often reveal these problems. A patient may come in for a broken front tooth—but what they really need is an airway solution.
“It comes back to the anatomy,” Dr. Rathburn said, “and working with the right people to get that fixed.”
What to Do If You're Grinding at Night
If you’re grinding your teeth and you live in the Atlanta area, don’t ignore it. It may be your body’s way of signaling that something deeper is wrong.
At Flax Dental in Sandy Springs, we take a full-health approach to care. We’ll look beyond your teeth to understand your breathing, jaw alignment, and sleep patterns—and guide you toward long-term solutions.
You can schedule a consultation here or call now.
Your smile matters. Your sleep does too. Let’s treat both—together.
Dr. Hugh Flax, owner of Flax Dental in Atlanta, GA, is a recognized expert in cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
As a former president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and an internationally recognized lecturer, he has contributed to advancements in the field through innovation, education, and leadership.