Waking up with a Sore Jaw? It Could Be Teeth Grinding
Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth until it is pointed out by a dentist during a check-up or by a partner at night. This habit, known as bruxism or teeth grinding, can gradually affect your teeth, jaw, and sleep quality.
At Shellharbour Dentists, we take a careful, personalised approach to help patients understand teeth grinding, its causes, and the options available to reduce its impact.
Teeth Grinding and Its Causes
Teeth grinding or bruxism is the involuntary clenching, gnashing, or grinding of teeth. It most often happens during sleep, though some people experience it while awake, particularly when concentrating or stressed. Factors that may contribute to teeth grinding include:
- Emotional stress or anxiety
- Crooked teeth or bite misalignment
- Sleep conditions such as sleep apnoea
- Certain medications, including antidepressants
- Lifestyle influences like caffeine, alcohol, or smoking
What Harm Can Teeth Grinding Cause?
The impact of teeth grinding can go beyond your smile, sometimes affecting comfort
and quality of sleep. Over time, teeth grinding can place extra pressure on the teeth
and jaw. If left unmanaged, this pressure may contribute to a range of concerns,
including:
- Wear and tear of tooth enamel
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Damage to crowns, fillings, or veneers
- Gum recession
- Jaw muscle fatigue or enlargement
- Enlarged cheek muscles
- Strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), sometimes linked to discomfort in the jaw, head, or neck
Shellharbour Dentists can assess any signs of teeth grinding and discuss suitable options to help reduce further wear. Depending on your needs, this may include
restorative treatments such as crowns, or preventive approaches like a custom- made nightguard or teeth grinding mouthguard.
During your visit, we will talk through the choices available and how they may assist in protecting your teeth.
How to know if you grind your teeth?
Recognising the signs of teeth grinding is very important. Some common symptoms
of teeth grinding may include:
- Jaw stiffness or tenderness on waking
- Teeth that appear flatter, shorter, or more worn than usual
- Receding gums that expose more of the tooth surface
- Frequent morning headaches or discomfort near the temples
If you recognise any of these changes, a dental examination from Shellharbour Dentists can help determine whether teeth grinding may be contributing and allow discussion of ways to protect your teeth and jaw from further strain.
Here, apart from various treatment options, Sports Mouthguards can also be considered to provide you with the much-needed relief.
Sports Mouthguards at Shellharbour Dentists
Teeth grinding mouth guard plays an important role in safeguarding teeth during physical activities as well as in managing the symptoms. It becomes an important
dental treatment device since, according to the Australian Dental Association, approximately one-third of traumatic dental injuries are sports-related.
A custom-fitted mouthguard made by Shellharbour Dentists can provide you with a more personalised fit and protection than over-the-counter, generic options. This preventive measure helps you to reduce the severity of potential injuries.
To find out more or arrange an appointment, please contact Shellharbour Dentists at (02) 4216 9911.
Teeth Grinding Treatments
The most suitable way to manage teeth grinding will depend on its underlying cause and your individual circumstances. At Shellharbour Dentist, we focus on
understanding what may be driving the habit and recommend options that may assist in reducing its impact.
Management strategies for teeth grinding may include:
Lifestyle and relaxation techniques
Activities such as meditation, gentle exercise, or stress reduction can sometimes lessen grinding episodes.
Counselling or referral
If stress or anxiety is thought to play a role, speaking with a professional may provide additional support.
Bite-related treatments
Orthodontic care may be considered if a misaligned bite is contributing. Shellharbour Dentists can help you with bite-related treatments, along with guiding you on a teeth-grinding mouth guard.
Custom-made teeth grinding mouth guard
These dental devices are often worn during sleep. They help shield the teeth from the intense and consistent pressure of grinding, which can reduce long- term wear.
While it may not always be possible to completely prevent teeth grinding, these approaches can reduce its impact and help protect your teeth from further damage. Contact Shellharbour Dentists if you have any questions.