Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Signs, Causes & How a Night Guard Helps (Sydney)

Bruxism is the clinical name for clenching or grinding your teeth outside of normal chewing. It isn't one single habit. Dentists usually describe two forms:

• Sleep bruxism: grinding or clenching during sleep. It's involuntary, often forceful, and the form most likely to wear teeth down.
• Awake bruxism: clenching or bracing your jaw during the day, often while concentrating, driving or under pressure. It's usually more clenching than grinding.

Some people have one, some have both. Many people grind now and then without any harm. It becomes a problem when it happens often or hard enough to wear teeth, strain the jaw or disrupt sleep.

Because sleep bruxism happens while you're unaware, the signs tend to show up indirectly. Some you'll feel yourself; others are easier for a dentist to see.

Signs you might notice

• A tight, tired or aching jaw when you wake up
• Dull headaches around the temples, especially in the morning
• Teeth that feel sensitive, sore or slightly loose on waking
• Ear ache or a full feeling near the jaw joint, with no ear problem found
• Clicking, popping or stiffness when you open your mouth
• A partner hearing grinding or squeaking sounds at night

Signs your dentist looks for

• Flattened, worn or shiny biting edges, especially on the front teeth and canines
• Small chips, cracks or fracture lines in enamel
• Fillings, crowns or veneers that chip or wear faster than expected
• Enlarged or tender jaw muscles at the sides of the face
• Scalloped marks along the edges of the tongue or a ridge inside the cheeks

You can have bruxism with no symptoms at all. That's one reason a regular check-up and clean matters: wear patterns are often visible long before they hurt.

The exact cause isn't fully understood, and it's usually a mix of factors rather than one trigger. The most common contributors are:

• Stress and anxiety. Tension during the day often carries into sleep. Many patients notice their jaw is worse after a demanding week.
• Sleep-related factors. Sleep bruxism is linked to brief micro-arousals during sleep. It's also more common in people who snore or have obstructive sleep apnoea, although researchers are still working out how the two relate.
• Caffeine, alcohol and smoking. All three can increase muscle activity during sleep, particularly in the evening.
• Certain medications. Some medicines, including some antidepressants, list jaw clenching or grinding as a possible side effect. Never stop a medication on your own; talk to your GP if you're concerned.
• Bite and tooth position. An uneven bite or a high filling or crown can contribute in some people.
• Family history. Sleep bruxism tends to run in families.

Children grind too, often while new teeth are coming through. In most kids it causes no damage and settles on its own, but it's worth mentioning at their next kids dental visit.

Knowing which type you have helps you and your dentist choose what to focus on.

Here's the honest part: a night guard doesn't switch grinding off. What it does is protect your teeth and jaw while it happens.

A custom night guard (also called an occlusal splint) sits between your upper and lower teeth while you sleep. It does three things:

1. Takes the wear instead of your enamel. The guard is the surface that gets ground down, not your teeth or dental work.
2. Spreads the force. Pressure is distributed evenly across the bite, rather than concentrated on a few teeth.
3. Can ease muscle load. For many people, this helps with morning jaw stiffness and tension headaches.

Custom night guard vs over-the-counter

A chemist guard is better than nothing in the short term. But a poor fit can feel bulky, move during the night, or even encourage some people to clench harder against it.

Types of custom night guards

Your dentist will suggest a material based on how hard you grind, your bite and your comfort. Common options include:

• Hard acrylic splint: durable and precise, often recommended for heavier grinders.
• Soft guard: flexible and comfortable, usually suited to lighter clenching.
• Dual-laminate guard: soft on the inside against your teeth, hard on the outside where you grind.

What getting a night guard involves at Nest Dental

1. Bite assessment. We look at wear patterns, jaw muscles, the jaw joint and how your teeth meet, and talk through likely triggers.
2. Scan or impressions. We take an accurate record of your teeth so the guard can be made to fit.
3. Fitting. At your next visit we check the fit and comfort, and adjust your bite on the guard if needed.
4. Review. We check the guard and your teeth at your regular check-ups and let you know when it needs replacing.

If grinding has already worn or chipped teeth, we'll usually stabilise the bite first, then discuss whether bonding, onlays or crowns are needed.

Caring for your night guard

• Rinse it after each use and brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water.
• Avoid hot water, which can warp it.
• Keep it dry in its ventilated case, away from pets.
• Bring it to your check-ups so we can look at the wear and fit.

Most people want to know how to stop grinding teeth, not just protect them. The realistic answer is that you can usually reduce grinding, rather than stop it completely. Managing stress, a steady sleep routine, and cutting back caffeine and alcohol in the evening all help.

Those changes take time, and your teeth still take the force every night until they work. That's why a guard is usually the first step, not the last. Our guide on how to stop grinding your teeth at night covers the habits in more detail.

Night guard cost in Sydney varies from person to person, so we'd rather give you an accurate quote after an assessment than a number that may not apply to you. The main things that affect it are:

• The type of guard and material your bite needs
• Whether you need extra care first, such as a bite adjustment or repairs to worn teeth
• Your health fund. Custom night guards may be claimable under extras cover, depending on your policy

We claim on the spot through HICAPS and are a Preferred Provider with NIB, CBHS, TUH, Union Health and smile.com.au. You'll get a written estimate before anything is made. See payment options and pricing for more.

Occasional morning tightness isn't usually urgent. It's worth booking an assessment if you notice:

• Jaw pain or headaches that keep coming back
• Visible wear, flattening or chips on your teeth
• A cracked tooth or pain when you bite down (see chipped or cracked teeth)
• Clicking or locking of the jaw
• Disrupted sleep, yours or a partner's, or loud snoring

If you have sudden severe tooth pain or a broken tooth, call us for a same-day emergency appointment.

At Nest Dental, we start with what your teeth and jaw are showing us, then explain your options plainly, with no pressure and no judgement. Dr Viki Karassellos has more than 20 years of experience in general dentistry, including bruxism and bite-related care.

We're at Suite 99 (ground floor), 545 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, about a minute's walk from Crows Nest Metro.

Book a teeth grinding assessment · Call 02 9436 1874