Bruxism: what to do about clenching or grinding your teeth

Bruxism refers to the clenching or grinding of teeth during wakefulness or sleep. An assessment is useful if it is accompanied by discomfort or wear.

This article provides general information and does not replace an individual consultation, diagnosis or treatment from a dentist or another healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, seek advice appropriate to your situation. Do not change a treatment based solely on this content.

Jaw pain is not automatically bruxism. Do not choose a mouthguard without advice or change a medical treatment you suspect may be involved.

Sometimes it is a close friend who hears a noise at night; sometimes it is realized at work that the teeth remain clenched. These observations are useful, but they do not yet describe the whole problem.

Clenching and grinding may be noticed differently

Bruxism can correspond to a clenching of the teeth or grinding movements. It can occur during sleep or when you are awake. Noise is therefore not an obligatory sign: a person can clench without people around them hearing it.

Wear, tenderness or jaw pain can lead to looking for these behaviors, but is not enough to diagnose them. Other dental and joint causes should be examined. Stress can be part of the context, without automatically explaining any pain.

Noting timing and consequences

For a few days, find out if you tighten during work, driving, or an activity that requires concentration. Notice discomfort when waking up and what a loved one observed during the night. This information is useful without the need to constantly monitor the position of your jaw.

Also report snoring, disturbed sleep, reported breathing pauses and medication. These elements may lead to additional medical advice. A sleep-related difficulty should not be reduced to a simple relaxation tip; do not change your prescriptions on your own initiative.

What a mouthguard can and cannot do

A properly fitted mouthguard or occlusal splint can protect tooth surfaces from contact and wear. It does not guarantee that clenching or grinding will stop. Its fit, cleaning and follow-up need to be explained.

The course may also include advice on waking behaviors and sleep, depending on the assessment. If you have pain, avoid voluntarily soliciting the jaw with very hard foods or repetitive chewing. Ask what goal is being followed: protecting teeth, decreasing discomfort, or looking for an associated factor. Good support distinguishes these goals instead of promising that a single device will solve all the causes.

Preparing observations for a bruxism assessment

Note the circumstances, pains and possible remarks of a loved one. Report known treatments and sleep disorders. Stress can intervene, without systematically explaining each situation.

A device proposed by the dentist can protect the teeth. This does not mean that it necessarily removes the cause or all episodes. Make it clear its role and its maintenance.

Dental sensitivity or discomfort with chewing should be described. If the consultation worries you, the markers on the fear of the dentist can facilitate the first appointment.