Preventative Dentistry

Night Time Grinding & Clenching Of The Teeth (Bruxism)

Bruxism is the process of clenching and/or grinding of your teeth at night time. This occurs during sleep and is usually subconscious. This process is very common for both children and adults and can result in very large forces being exerted upon the teeth. As a result of these forces, it is common to wear down the enamel and cause cracking of the back teeth.

We recommend the use of a custom made night guard which protects your teeth while you sleep to prevent any damage from excess forces. This guard can also keep your jaw in a more relaxed position to help reduce and prevent pain in the muscles of the jaw as well as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The guard is made of high-quality materials allowing for both comfort and longevity.

You may be a bruxer if you:

• Wake up with headaches or jaw pain
• Suffer from regular headaches
• Notice yourself clenching your teeth when you’re stressed
• Are told by a partner you were grinding in your sleep
• Have teeth that seem to break or appear worn, and you aren’t sure why



Long-term bruxism can lead to many dental problems. People who grind their teeth are more likely to experience jaw pain, broken or worn teeth, and chronic pain in their teeth and jaw (TMJ).

At Coomera Family Dental we can work with you to diagnose the cause and offer a range of solutions to control bruxism before it damages your teeth. Commonly we can use muscle relaxants, targeted to the jaw, to reduce bruxism. These treatments soften the jaw muscles without affecting normal speech, chewing or smiling.