What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching — usually involuntary, often during sleep. Many sufferers don't realise they're doing it until a partner mentions the noise, or the damage shows up in the dental chair.
Symptoms
- Jaw soreness, ear pain, or facial stiffness on waking
- Sore jaws when chewing or yawning
- Loose, fractured or flattened teeth
- Worn-down enamel and tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Dull, persistent headaches
- Disrupted sleep
What causes it?
Bruxism has a mix of causes:
- Psychological — stress, anxiety, anger, frustration
- Physical — misaligned bite (malocclusion), missing or crooked teeth, jaw issues, sleep apnoea
- Lifestyle — caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, some medications
- Family history and personality — competitive, type-A traits show up disproportionately
How we treat it
Custom-fit mouthguards (occlusal splints)
A custom-moulded plastic guard worn at night sits between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing the grinding force and protecting your enamel. The most common — and effective — first line of treatment.
Restoring damaged teeth
Years of grinding can flatten teeth, shorten the bite, and cause cracks. Where teeth are already damaged, crowns or composite build-ups restore function and protect what's left.
Bite correction
If misaligned teeth are part of the cause, orthodontic treatment can address the root issue rather than just managing symptoms.
Muscle relaxant injections
Small doses of muscle relaxant injected directly into the masseter (chewing) muscle reduce its strength and the force of grinding. Effects last around four months, with no downtime.
Multidisciplinary support
Where stress or sleep issues are driving the grinding, GPs and psychologists work alongside us to address the underlying cause.