Clenching & Grinding
– Bruxism
Protect your teeth while you sleep
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Relief from Teeth Grinding & Clenching
Do you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or sensitive teeth? You may be experiencing bruxism—the medical term for teeth grinding and teeth clenching. Many people grind or clench their teeth during sleep without realizing it, only discovering the habit when symptoms or dental damage appear.
At Seller & Laframboise Dentistry, we help patients manage grinding and clenching teeth with custom-fitted night guards and personalized care. A night guard for bruxism protects your teeth from damage, reduces jaw strain, and helps you wake up feeling better.
Understanding Bruxism
Bruxism is the habit of grinding, gnashing, or clenching your teeth—often unconsciously. Sleep bruxism (also called nocturnal bruxism) occurs during sleep and is especially common during times of stress. Many people don’t realize they have it until a partner mentions the grinding sounds or dental damage becomes visible.
The signs of bruxism can be subtle at first: morning jaw stiffness, occasional headaches, or teeth that seem more sensitive than usual. Over time, teeth grinding and clenching at night can wear down enamel, crack teeth, and strain the jaw muscles and joints.
The good news is that bruxism is very manageable. A custom mouth guard for bruxism protects your teeth and often reduces symptoms significantly—helping you sleep better and wake without pain.
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How Bruxism Progresses
Clenching and grinding teeth in sleep tends to worsen over time if left untreated. Understanding bruxism symptoms at each stage helps explain why early treatment matters.
Signs & Symptoms of Bruxism
How do you know if you grind or clench your teeth at night? Since it happens during sleep, you may not be aware of it. Watch for these common bruxism symptoms.
Grinding or clenching sounds during sleep (often noticed by a partner)
Waking with jaw pain or stiffness
Morning headaches, especially around the temples
Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
Tired or tight jaw muscles
Pain that feels like an earache
Disrupted sleep
Indentations on the tongue or inside of cheeks
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, a dental evaluation can determine whether bruxism is the cause. We’ll examine your teeth for signs of grinding and discuss whether a bruxism night guard is right for you.
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Treatment for clenching and grinding teeth focuses on protecting your teeth and reducing symptoms. Here are the solutions we offer.
Custom Night Guard
A custom night guard is the most common and effective treatment for teeth grinding and clenching. This professionally fitted appliance creates a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing damage while you sleep.
Occlusal Guard
An occlusal guard is designed to optimize your bite alignment while protecting your teeth. This type of appliance can help reduce muscle tension and minimize the forces that cause grinding and clenching.
Lifestyle & Stress Management
Since stress is a major trigger for clenching and grinding, we discuss strategies to reduce tension. Combined with a protective guard, stress management techniques can significantly improve symptoms.
Why Treating Bruxism Matters
Left untreated, the effects of bruxism on teeth can be significant. Enamel wears away, exposing sensitive tooth structure. Teeth can crack, chip, or even fracture—sometimes requiring dental crowns to restore. Existing dental work like fillings and crowns can fail prematurely. The cost of repairing bruxism teeth damage far exceeds the investment in prevention.
Beyond dental damage, chronic teeth grinding and clenching strains your jaw muscles and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This can lead to chronic pain, headaches, and difficulty opening your mouth fully.
A mouth guard for grinding and clenching is a simple, comfortable solution that protects your teeth every night. Most patients adapt quickly and report sleeping better knowing their teeth are protected.
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At Seller & Laframboise Dentistry, we’ve been helping Ottawa patients protect their teeth from grinding and clenching for over 25 years. Our custom bruxism appliances are made from precise impressions of your teeth, ensuring a comfortable fit that you’ll actually wear.
We take time to evaluate your specific situation, check for signs of bruxism, and discuss whether a night guard for bruxism is right for you. If stress is a factor, we’ll talk about that too. Our goal is to help you wake up feeling better—without jaw pain, headaches, or worry about damaging your teeth.
FAQ
Bruxism refers to the habit of grinding, gnashing, or clenching your teeth, often unconsciously. Sleep bruxism (also called nocturnal bruxism) occurs during sleep, while awake bruxism happens during waking hours. Both can cause significant dental problems if left untreated.
Not exactly. Grinding involves moving the jaw side to side while teeth are pressed together, while clenching means holding teeth tightly together without movement. Both fall under bruxism and can cause damage, and both benefit from treatment with a night guard.
Common causes include stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, missing or crooked teeth, and certain medications. Lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol consumption can also contribute to teeth grinding and clenching.
Yes—morning headaches, especially around the temples, are a common sign of bruxism. Jaw pain is also very common. The constant muscle tension from clenching and grinding during sleep puts significant strain on jaw muscles and joints.
Yes, untreated bruxism can cause significant dental damage. The wearing away of enamel exposes sensitive tooth layers, leading to increased sensitivity. Other effects include chips, cracks, flattening, and even tooth fractures in severe cases.
Yes, chronic grinding and clenching can contribute to temporomandibular joint disorders. The repeated stress on the jaw joint can lead to TMJ pain, clicking, and limited jaw movement. Treating bruxism early helps protect your jaw joint.
Yes, a custom night guard is one of the most effective treatments. A properly fitted mouth guard protects your teeth from damage and can reduce muscle tension and jaw pain. Most patients notice improvement in their symptoms within the first few weeks.
While you can’t consciously control what happens during sleep, a night guard protects your teeth and often reduces the habit over time. Stress management, avoiding caffeine before bed, and addressing underlying sleep issues can also help.
For some people, bruxism is temporary and resolves when stress decreases or underlying causes are addressed. For others, it’s a chronic condition that needs ongoing management. Either way, a night guard prevents damage while you work on underlying factors.
Without treatment, the effects of bruxism typically do progress. Tooth wear accumulates, and jaw muscle problems can worsen. Early intervention with a custom night guard prevents this progression and protects your teeth and jaw.
Stop Grinding & Start Sleeping Better
If you suspect you’re grinding or clenching your teeth at night, we can help. A custom night guard protects your teeth and reduces symptoms so you can wake up feeling refreshed. Schedule a consultation to learn more about your options.