What bruxism is
Bruxism describes the unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth. Forces act on the teeth that go far beyond normal chewing. There are two forms, which differ slightly in how they are treated:
- Sleep bruxism happens at night during sleep. It is the more common form. Because it runs unconsciously, those affected often do not notice it themselves and only learn about it at the dental check-up or through a partner.
- Awake bruxism occurs during the day, usually in phases of concentration or stress. It is often less about grinding and more about sustained clenching, for example at the desk or in traffic.
Both forms can occur on their own or together. It helps to know that in a relaxed state the rows of teeth do not normally touch. Anyone who regularly presses the teeth together places a lasting strain on teeth and jaw.
How to recognise it
Because sleep bruxism in particular goes unnoticed, it is worth knowing the typical signs. The more of them that come together, the more likely grinding is behind it:
- Tension in the jaw in the morning, sometimes with a feeling that the jaw is tired or stiff.
- Headaches after waking, often around the temples, where a large chewing muscle attaches.
- Sensitive or visibly flattened teeth, whose chewing surfaces look ground smooth over time.
- Sounds at night noticed by a partner. The grinding sound is often clearer to others than to those affected themselves.
- Fine cracks in the enamel as well as fillings or crown margins that repeatedly chip.
A single sign need not mean anything on its own. If several appear together, however, a dental assessment makes sense. We recognise typical wear patterns on the teeth that give a clear picture.
Causes and triggers
Bruxism rarely has a single cause. Usually several factors act together and reinforce one another:
- Stress and inner tension. These are considered one of the most important triggers. The tension of the day discharges in the jaw at night, without any conscious control.
- Sleep patterns. Sleep bruxism occurs more often in certain sleep phases and is associated with restless sleep.
- A bite that does not fit. When the teeth do not meet cleanly, for example after a high filling or crown, this can encourage grinding.
- Lifestyle. Caffeine and alcohol late in the evening, as well as nicotine, can intensify night-time grinding.
- Certain medications. Some active ingredients are suspected of promoting bruxism.
Because the triggers are so varied, we look specifically for what comes together in each individual case during the assessment. Only then can treatment be sensibly tailored.
What consequences it has
If the grinding remains untreated over years, the forces add up and leave their mark. The consequences affect not only the teeth but the whole chewing system:
- Wear of the enamel. The protective enamel layer becomes thinner and does not grow back. Beneath it lies the softer dentine, which then wears away more quickly.
- Sensitive teeth and fine cracks. Exposed dentine reacts sensitively to cold and sweet things. Cracks can deepen and, in an unfavourable case, lead to a fracture.
- Damage to restorations. Fillings, crowns and veneers are under the same constant load and can fail prematurely.
- Jaw joint complaints. The constant strain can lead to pain, restricted mouth opening and clicking sounds. You can read more under TMJ and jaw joint problems.
- Tense chewing muscles and headaches that can radiate into the temples and neck.
The earlier the grinding is recognised and the teeth are protected, the smaller this damage turns out to be.
What helps
The most important measure is a custom night guard. It is made to fit your teeth precisely in the laboratory and worn at night. Alongside it, we use further steps depending on the findings:
- The guard. It sits as a protective layer between the rows of teeth, absorbs the forces and relieves the jaw joint. Which designs exist and how they differ is covered in our night guard comparison.
- Stress management. Since stress is often involved, relaxation exercises, movement and a calm evening routine help to lower the tension.
- Physiotherapy. With tense chewing muscles, targeted exercises and manual therapy can ease the symptoms.
- Treating the consequences. Worn or cracked teeth and damaged restorations are rebuilt where needed, once the guard prevents further damage.
If jaw joint complaints are in the foreground, we look into the cause as part of TMJ treatment and tailor the treatment accordingly.
What a guard does and does not do
An honest picture helps here, so that expectations are right:
- What it does. It protects the enamel from wear, distributes the forces evenly and relieves the chewing muscles and the jaw joint. In many people the morning tension and headaches ease.
- What it does not do. It does not stop the grinding itself, because that happens unconsciously. And it does not remove the triggers such as stress. The guard is therefore the reliable protection, but working on the causes remains important.
What you can do yourself
A lot can be supported in everyday life:
- Notice your teeth during the day. Check consciously, again and again, whether the rows of teeth are resting on each other. In a relaxed state they do not touch. This awareness alone helps with awake bruxism.
- Relax in the evening. A calm wind-down, breathing or relaxation exercises and a regular sleep rhythm can reduce night-time grinding.
- Avoid triggers in the evening. Go without caffeine and alcohol late in the evening.
- Wear the guard consistently once it has been fitted, and bring it to your check-ups so we can assess fit and wear.
When to come to us
If you notice morning tension, headaches, sensitive teeth or signs of wear, have it checked by a dentist before larger damage occurs. We assess the wear patterns, clarify the contributing triggers and discuss the right guard and further steps with you. Costs follow the SSO tariff. You receive a written cost estimate in advance. If you are unsure, book an appointment.