Nightguards · Bruxism

Bruxism — Teeth Grinding And Clenching

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding and clenching of the teeth. Many people do it without realising — often in their sleep, sometimes during the day when concentrating, stressed, or driving. Over time, bruxism can wear teeth flat, crack restorations, and contribute to jaw and headache pain.

This page explains what bruxism is, what tends to cause it, the symptoms we see at the practice, and how a custom nightguard fits into a management plan. If you suspect you grind or clench your teeth, you are welcome to book an assessment online at Sandgate Family Dental.

Local Sandgate practiceFamily-owned dental clinic in Sandgate.

HICAPS on the dayHealth-fund rebates processed at the chair.

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What bruxism actually is

Bruxism describes repeated, involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. Dentistry generally splits it into two patterns:

Sleep bruxism — grinding and clenching that happens while you are asleep, often without your awareness
Awake bruxism — clenching or jaw bracing during waking hours, often associated with stress, concentration, or particular tasks

Sleep bruxism is more common as a long-term cause of tooth wear. Awake bruxism is more often a daytime jaw and muscle complaint. The two can overlap in the same person.

What causes bruxism?

The exact causes of bruxism are not fully understood, but the contributing factors most commonly seen include:

Stress and anxiety — many patients first notice their jaw is sore during busy or stressful periods
Sleep-related factors — bruxism can be linked to disrupted sleep, including snoring and sleep-disordered breathing
Bite issues — uneven bite forces from missing teeth, broken teeth, or worn fillings can play a role
Some medications and stimulants — caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and certain prescription medicines are associated with higher bruxism rates
Genetics and family history — bruxism tends to run in families
Children — many children grind during the eruption of new teeth and grow out of it without treatment

If you have concerns about disrupted sleep alongside grinding, our information on sleep-related breathing may be relevant.

Common symptoms of bruxism

Some people are told by a partner that they grind loudly. Most people work it out from the side effects:

Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth, especially the front teeth and the chewing surfaces of the back teeth
Cracks or fractures in teeth, fillings, crowns, or veneers
Sensitivity to cold and biting from worn enamel
Sore, tired jaw muscles in the morning
Headaches, particularly in the temples
Earache or fullness in the ear with no infection
Tightness or pain in the jaw joint
Indentations along the side of the tongue where the teeth press in during clenching

For more on jaw-joint involvement, see TMJ and jaw pain. For tooth-sensitivity causes, see sensitive teeth.

How a nightguard helps

A custom nightguard is a thin, durable splint worn over the upper or lower teeth at night. It cannot stop the underlying habit of grinding, but it can do several useful things:

Place a layer of hard plastic between the upper and lower teeth so the teeth wear against the guard rather than each other
Distribute clenching forces more evenly across the bite
Reduce the load on the jaw muscles and TMJ in many patients
Protect existing dental work — fillings, crowns, veneers, and implants — from cracking under bite forces

For background on the wider service, see the nightguards hub. A nightguard is a different appliance to a sports mouthguard — see nightguard vs sports mouthguard for why one is not a substitute for the other.

Appointment

What we look for at the appointment

1. History and conversation

We ask about symptoms, sleep habits, stress, caffeine, alcohol, jaw soreness, and any partner observations of grinding noises overnight.

2. Clinical examination

We look at wear patterns on the teeth, check existing dental work for cracks or chips, palpate the jaw muscles for tenderness, and assess the bite.

3. Imaging where useful

Small digital X-rays help us assess teeth, restorations, and bone levels.

4. A discussion of options

We talk through which mix of nightguard, behavioural strategies, dental work, and referral suits your situation.

How a custom nightguard is made

The process is straightforward and usually takes two visits:

Scan or impression visit — we capture the shape of your teeth and bite digitally or with a quick impression.
Fabrication — the guard is made in a local lab from a hard, durable material that resists grinding far better than the soft, store-bought equivalents.
Fitting visit — we check the guard sits comfortably, does not interfere with the bite in problem ways, and is easy to insert and remove.
Review — we check the guard at routine check-ups and adjust as needed.

Wider strategies that often help

A nightguard usually sits alongside other practical changes. Patients often benefit from:

Reducing caffeine, alcohol, and screen time in the hour before bed
Stress-management techniques where awake bruxism is part of the picture
Regular exercise and consistent sleep timing
Awareness exercises — noticing when the jaw is tense during the day and letting the teeth rest apart
Treatment of cracked or worn teeth that contribute to an uneven bite — see cracked tooth

Who this may suit

Adults with worn or chipped teeth and morning jaw soreness
Patients with a partner who reports loud night-time grinding
Patients with existing dental work who want to protect it
Patients with tension headaches that worsen overnight
Anyone with a family history of bruxism and early signs of wear

Payment

Health funds and payment

Sandgate Family Dental is a HICAPS provider. Where your private extras cover includes nightguard rebates under preventive or major dental, we process the claim at the practice and you only pay the gap. Rebates depend on your individual policy, level of cover, and annual limits — your fund can confirm before treatment.

FAQs

Bruxism FAQs

Can a nightguard cure bruxism?

No. A nightguard cushions the teeth and jaw against the effects of grinding and clenching, but it does not address the underlying causes. Many patients still benefit significantly from one because the day-to-day symptoms reduce.

Will a chemist nightguard do the same job?

Boil-and-bite nightguards are usually too soft, do not fit closely, and tend to break down quickly in heavy grinders. They are sometimes a short-term option but a custom guard is a more reliable longer-term choice.

Should I wear the guard every night?

Most patients wear it nightly. Some only wear it during stressful periods. We talk through what suits your situation at the fitting visit.

Will my bite feel different in the morning?

A small number of patients notice their bite feels different for the first few minutes after removing the guard. This usually settles quickly. Persistent changes should be checked.

Can children wear nightguards?

Children frequently grind during tooth eruption and often grow out of it without treatment. We rarely recommend nightguards for young children. If grinding is causing wear in teenagers, a guard may be appropriate.

How long does a nightguard last?

A well-cared-for custom nightguard typically lasts three to five years for adults. Heavy grinders may need replacement sooner.

Can a nightguard help with my headaches?

Many patients with tension-type headaches linked to jaw clenching find they ease after starting a guard. Headaches have many causes, however, and persistent headaches should be reviewed by your GP.

Sandgate Family Dental is on Lagoon Street, a short drive from Taigum, Margate and Deagon, and we see patients for nightguards from right across the bayside. Our North Brisbane dentist page lists the suburbs we serve.

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Custom-fit guards protect against clenching and grinding wear.