What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the habit, usually unconscious, of clenching or grinding your teeth, mostly during sleep. Stress and anxiety play a big part. When it affects the jaw joint, we talk about TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
Common symptoms
- Headache or jaw pain when you wake up.
- Worn or cracked teeth, or teeth sensitive to cold and heat.
- Pain in the neck, upper back or ear.
- Clicking or difficulty opening your mouth.
What happens if it is not treated?
Over time, bruxism can lead to fractured teeth, receding gums, loose teeth, difficulty chewing and persistent neck pain and headaches.
The night guard
It is the most common and effective treatment: a resin device worn at night to cushion the force of clenching and prevent wear. It does not stop bruxism, but it protects your teeth, muscles and joints.
To work properly it must meet two conditions:
- Be made of hard acrylic, never soft material.
- Be custom-made and adjusted by a professional: a poorly balanced splint can damage the joint.
Depending on the case, treatment can be complemented with craniofacial physiotherapy, stress management techniques or injections into the chewing muscles. If teeth are damaged, we restore them with veneers or crowns.
Frequently asked questions
What causes bruxism?
It has several causes: stress is the most common, but your bite, genetics, some medicines and stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine or tobacco also play a part.
How is it diagnosed?
At the check-up we see the wear on your teeth or prosthetics. With the intraoral scanner you can see it on screen too.
Do soft pharmacy mouthguards work?
We do not recommend them for bruxism: soft material can actually encourage clenching. The guard should be hard acrylic and custom-made.
Can children have bruxism?
Yes. In children with baby teeth it is usually functional and temporary, but it is worth monitoring at check-ups.