Teeth Grinding & Clenching in Sandgate
Teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, can happen while you are awake or while you are sleeping.
Some people are aware that they clench their teeth during the day.
Others only discover nighttime grinding because a partner hears it, their jaw feels tired in the morning or their dentist notices wear or damage to the teeth.
Not everyone who grinds their teeth needs treatment.
At Dental Seasons, we assess the teeth, jaw muscles, bite and symptoms before deciding whether a custom dental splint, restorative treatment, habit changes or further medical assessment may be appropriate.
New patients welcome.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of the teeth outside normal chewing.
It can occur in two main ways.
Awake bruxism
This happens while you are conscious.
Some people notice themselves holding their teeth together, clenching during concentration or tensing their jaw during periods of stress.
Sleep bruxism
This happens while you are asleep.
Because it occurs unconsciously, you may not know that it is happening unless somebody hears the grinding or you develop signs or symptoms.
The two types do not necessarily have the same causes or require the same management.
Signs of teeth grinding and clenching
Worn teeth
Repeated grinding can gradually flatten or shorten tooth surfaces.
Wear patterns can sometimes provide clues that bruxism may be occurring.
Cracked teeth or fillings
Heavy tooth contact can contribute to fractures of teeth or existing dental restorations in some patients.
A cracked tooth still needs individual assessment because grinding is not the only possible cause.
Jaw muscle discomfort
Some patients experience tired, tight or sore jaw muscles, particularly after waking.
Muscle symptoms may also occur during periods of daytime clenching.
Tooth sensitivity
Loss of tooth structure from wear or cracks can contribute to sensitivity.
Other dental problems can also cause sensitive teeth and should be ruled out.
Head or facial discomfort
Some people with bruxism report discomfort around the temples, jaw or facial muscles.
Headaches have many possible causes, so they should not automatically be assumed to come from grinding.
Jaw-joint symptoms
Grinding and clenching may occur alongside temporomandibular joint or jaw-muscle problems in some patients.
The jaw should be assessed separately rather than assuming that bruxism explains every TMJ symptom.
Not everyone who grinds needs treatment
Bruxism is relatively common and can range from occasional clenching with no noticeable consequences to repeated grinding that contributes to tooth damage or muscle discomfort.
Treatment is considered when the behaviour is causing, or is likely to cause, a meaningful problem. For example, when teeth are becoming worn or damaged, fillings or restorations repeatedly fracture, jaw or facial muscles are uncomfortable, there are symptoms that need further assessment, or a protective appliance is appropriate for the level of dental risk.
Simply seeing small signs of tooth wear does not automatically mean a splint is required.
The recommendation should be based on the individual situation.
Why do people grind their teeth?
There is not always one identifiable cause.
Factors associated with bruxism can include:
- Stress or anxiety
- Sleep-related factors
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Some stimulant drugs
- Other sleep disorders
The relationship between these factors varies between people.
Rather than promising to identify one single cause, we look at the dental signs, symptoms and relevant health history and determine what aspects can reasonably be managed within dental care.
Teeth grinding and sleep apnoea
Sleep bruxism can occur alongside obstructive sleep apnoea in some patients.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a medical sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly reduces or stops during sleep.
Signs that may justify further medical or sleep assessment can include:
- Loud or persistent snoring
- Witnessed pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- A previous diagnosis of sleep apnoea
- Other concerning sleep symptoms
A dental examination cannot diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea.
If your history suggests a possible sleep disorder, we may recommend discussing this with your GP, sleep physician or another appropriate healthcare professional.
What is an occlusal splint?
An occlusal splint is a custom-made dental appliance that fits over the upper or lower teeth.
It may also be called a bite splint, night splint or night guard.
Unlike a sports mouthguard, an occlusal splint is generally made from a hard dental material and is designed specifically around your teeth and bite.
For suitable patients, a splint can:
- Protect teeth from direct wear caused by grinding
- Reduce loading on vulnerable teeth or restorations
- Provide a controlled surface for tooth contact
- Help manage some jaw-muscle or joint symptoms
A splint does not necessarily stop the underlying grinding behaviour.
Its main role is often protecting the teeth and managing the effects of bruxism.
How is a custom dental splint made?
Dental and jaw assessment
We examine the teeth, existing restorations, signs of wear, bite and relevant jaw symptoms.
Digital records
A digital scan or other dental record is taken to accurately reproduce the shape and position of the teeth.
Appliance design
The splint is designed around your individual bite and treatment goals.
Fitting
Once the appliance is made, we check the fit and how the opposing teeth contact it.
Review
Follow-up allows us to assess comfort, fit, tooth contacts and whether adjustment is required.
You should also bring the splint to future dental examinations so it can be checked.
A sports mouthguard and grinding splint are not the same
Although both appliances cover the teeth, they are designed for different purposes.
A sports mouthguard is intended to help protect the teeth, lips and jaws from impact during sport.
An occlusal splint is designed to manage dental loading from grinding or clenching, generally during sleep.
A sports mouthguard should not simply be used as a substitute for a properly assessed bruxism splint.
Likewise, a hard night splint is not designed to protect against sporting impacts.
What if grinding has already damaged my teeth?
If bruxism has contributed to dental damage, protecting the teeth may be only one part of treatment.
Worn, cracked or broken teeth may also need restorative assessment.
Depending on the extent of damage, treatment may involve:
- Monitoring mild wear
- Tooth-coloured fillings
- Repairing chipped areas
- Replacing damaged restorations
- Dental crowns for more heavily weakened teeth
- More extensive restorative treatment in severe tooth-wear cases
Before rebuilding worn teeth, it is important to consider the forces that contributed to the damage so the new restorations are not viewed in isolation.
Is teeth grinding the same as TMJ disorder?
No.
Bruxism describes grinding or clenching the teeth.
Temporomandibular disorders describe problems affecting the jaw joints, the muscles controlling the jaw or both.
The two can occur together, but they are not the same condition.
A person may grind their teeth without having TMJ pain.
Another person may have jaw-joint pain without significant bruxism.
If you have jaw pain, clicking, locking or limited opening, those symptoms should be assessed rather than assumed to result solely from teeth grinding.
Managing daytime clenching
Awake bruxism can sometimes be managed by becoming more aware of the habit.
Outside eating and swallowing, the teeth normally do not need to remain firmly touching.
Some patients find it useful to notice when they are clenching during work, driving, exercise or concentration and consciously allow the jaw muscles to relax.
Stress management or psychological care may also be appropriate where emotional stress is contributing significantly.
A splint alone does not necessarily address the behavioural component of daytime clenching.
Other treatment may sometimes be useful
Teeth grinding and jaw-muscle discomfort can involve factors outside dentistry.
Depending on your symptoms and history, management may also include:
- Physiotherapy
- Stress-management strategies
- Psychological care
- Sleep assessment
- Review of medications with your doctor
- Medical management of an associated sleep disorder
- Changes to caffeine, alcohol or smoking habits
The appropriate combination depends on what appears to be contributing to the individual problem.
Our role is to manage the dental aspects and recognise when another healthcare professional should be involved.
Looking after your dental splint
If you have an occlusal splint:
- Clean it regularly according to the instructions provided
- Avoid hot water, which may distort some appliance materials
- Store it safely when it is not being worn
- Bring it to your dental check-ups
- Let us know if it becomes loose, damaged or uncomfortable
Dental treatment that changes the shape of your teeth, such as a new crown or significant restoration, can also affect how the splint fits.
It may then require adjustment or replacement.
Teeth grinding assessment in Sandgate
Dental Seasons is located at 119A Brighton Road, Sandgate QLD 4017.
We assess teeth grinding, clenching, tooth wear and related dental or jaw concerns for patients from Sandgate and surrounding North Brisbane and bayside communities.
Where symptoms suggest a broader TMJ or sleep-related concern, further assessment or referral may be recommended.
Teeth grinding and splint questions
How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?
You may not know. A partner may hear grinding sounds, or your dentist may identify tooth wear, damaged restorations or other signs. Some people also experience jaw-muscle discomfort after waking.
Does everyone who grinds their teeth need a night guard?
No. Not everyone with bruxism requires treatment. A splint may be considered when grinding is contributing to tooth damage, discomfort or another clinically relevant problem.
Will a splint stop me grinding my teeth?
Not necessarily. An occlusal splint mainly helps protect the teeth and manage the effects of clenching or grinding. It does not reliably eliminate the underlying behaviour.
Can teeth grinding crack teeth?
Heavy or repetitive forces can contribute to tooth fractures and damaged restorations in some patients. However, cracks can have several causes and should be assessed individually.
Can teeth grinding cause sensitive teeth?
Grinding-related wear or cracks can contribute to sensitivity. Decay, gum recession and other dental conditions can also cause sensitive teeth.
Is teeth grinding caused by stress?
Stress and anxiety are associated with bruxism in some people, particularly awake clenching. However, there is not always one single cause.
Can teeth grinding be related to sleep apnoea?
Sleep bruxism can occur alongside obstructive sleep apnoea. If symptoms suggest a sleep disorder, medical or sleep assessment may be recommended. Read about our TMJ and sleep-related dental care.
What is the difference between a splint and a mouthguard?
A sports mouthguard is designed to reduce dental injuries during sport. An occlusal splint is designed specifically for dental loading from grinding or clenching. They are not interchangeable.
Can children grind their teeth?
Yes. Children can grind their teeth, particularly during sleep. Many children do not require treatment, but dental assessment is appropriate if there is significant wear, pain or another concern.
Should I bring my splint to dental appointments?
Yes. Bringing your splint allows your dentist to check its fit, condition and tooth contacts, particularly if you have had new dental treatment.
Think you may be grinding or clenching your teeth?
If you have noticed tooth wear, repeated broken fillings, morning jaw discomfort or have been told that you grind your teeth while sleeping, an assessment can help determine whether treatment is needed. Book an appointment with our Sandgate team and we can examine the teeth and jaw, explain what we find and discuss whether a custom splint or another approach is appropriate.
Looking beyond the worn tooth
Managing bruxism is not simply about making a night guard.
Our team considers the condition of the teeth, existing restorations, bite, jaw symptoms, habits and relevant sleep or health factors before recommending treatment.
Where the problem extends beyond dental care, we can discuss appropriate referral or collaborative management.
