Mon–Fri 8am–5pmSaturday By appointment onlySunday Closed
Call (02) 4216 99117/9-25 Captain Cook Dr, Barrack Heights NSW 2528Teeth Grinding
Grinding or clenching your teeth can wear them down and strain your jaw. A dentist can check for signs and talk through what may help.
Fees, private health benefits and third-party payment arrangements vary. Please confirm current details before relying on an option.
Teeth Grinding
If you wake with a sore jaw or a headache, or someone has told you that you grind your teeth at night, mention it to a dentist. Grinding and clenching, called bruxism, can happen during sleep, so you may not know you do it. Some people have no symptoms at all. Teeth grinding care is part of general dentistry in Shellharbour.
We look for tooth wear, cracks, damaged fillings and tender jaw muscles. Mention morning jaw pain, headaches, sensitivity, disturbed sleep or grinding heard by someone else. Stress, some medicines, stimulants and sleep conditions may contribute, but the cause is not always clear. We can discuss whether medical assessment is also needed.
A custom-made occlusal splint, also called a night guard, may help protect teeth from grinding and clenching damage. It does not stop the grinding itself. Ask how it is fitted, how to clean it and when its fit and condition should be reviewed.
Care may include relaxation strategies, sleep advice, reducing stimulants, physiotherapy or repair of damaged teeth, depending on the findings. Suspected sleep apnoea needs medical assessment. Our tooth coloured fillings information explains repairs, and our dental check-up and clean information covers reviews for signs of further wear.
If you are thinking about a night guard, ask how it is made, when to wear it, how to keep it clean and how often the dentist should check the fit. Ask what happens if your teeth or bite change, and whether the guard may need replacing. Ask what else the dentist recommends alongside it, such as cutting back on caffeine, alcohol or smoking, or seeing a doctor about stress, snoring or sleep. If you have jaw pain, a headache or ear pain, say so, because the dentist considers these when looking for signs of grinding.
This page is general information, so call (02) 4216 9911 to ask whether a night guard or another approach suits you. For guide prices, start with the questions about dental fees, and read the patient offers and terms before you rely on an offer. You can also read about payment options or contact the Shellharbour clinic. Ask the team to confirm the cost before you agree, and you can take time to decide, compare approaches or get a second opinion. If a tooth has cracked and is painful, see the emergency dentist in Shellharbour page. If a worn or broken tooth needs more than a filling, ask about crowns and bridges.
Grinding often goes unnoticed. A partner, a family member or your dentist may see the signs first.
Management usually combines several steps. Ask which ones suit you, and why.
Frequently Asked Questions
These general answers can help you prepare questions for an individual conversation.
Bruxism means grinding or clenching outside normal chewing, and it can happen during the day or while you sleep. Teeth grinding in Shellharbour may come to your attention through a sore jaw, worn teeth or someone hearing the noise. Those clues justify an assessment, but they do not identify the cause on their own.
Related information: check-up and clean page.
Related Care
Call or book online and say what you would like help with. Ask what your visit includes and what it costs. At the visit, discuss your concerns with the dentist; you can review any proposed treatment and its costs before deciding.
