You may notice the stresses and strains of daily life when you’re panicking about getting somewhere in time or you’re lying awake in bed at night thinking about tomorrow’s presentation, but there are signs that stress might be getting to you, which are less noticeable. If you regularly wake up with headaches, pain in and around your jaw, ear ache or your partner complains about a disturbed night’s sleep, you may suffer from bruxism. Bruxism is the medical name for teeth grinding, a subconscious action, which many of us carry out on a regular basis without even knowing.

Bruxism can be associated with loose fillings or crowns or orthodontic issues affecting the alignment of the teeth, but it is most commonly linked to stress or anxiety. Grinding the teeth together may be a sign that you are feeling stressed, worried or concerned. Studies show that people who have stressful jobs, as well as those who have certain personality traits, such as being a perfectionist or a worrier, are more prone to bruxism.

How can we help?

Bruxism can cause stiffness and restricted movement in the jaw, headaches and migraines and damage to the teeth. If you suffer from dental grinding and bruxism, we can help! We can offer advice about dealing with stress and anxiety and we can also fit a protective bite guard, which helps to prevent the teeth from clashing together when you are sleeping. The guard is similar to a mouth guard, which you would wear for sport; it is custom-made to fit you perfectly, so you should be able to sleep comfortably. Wearing a guard will help to protect your teeth and prevent aches and pains, as well as enabling your partner to enjoy a peaceful night of sleep.