Bruxism is involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth, most often during sleep. Night-time grinding happens unconsciously and with more force than when awake — up to several hundred newtons. Most people do not know about it until a dentist notices the wear or a partner mentions it.
Signs to look out for
- Morning jaw or temple pain, a dull headache on waking.
- Clicking in the jaw joint or restricted mouth opening.
- Teeth have shortened, incisal edges are flat or translucent.
- Wedge-shaped notches appear at the tooth necks.
- Increased sensitivity to cold.
- Fillings or crowns fracture repeatedly.
- Tooth imprints along the edges of the tongue, a white line inside the cheek.
What causes it
The main factor is stress and anxiety. Sleep disorders contribute, especially sleep apnoea — grinding is often the body’s response to the airway closing. Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and certain medicines, including some antidepressants, also play a part. A misaligned bite can aggravate bruxism but is rarely the sole cause.
Why it should not be ignored
Enamel does not regenerate. Worn teeth do not grow back and restoring them later is expensive — usually crowns (from €450 per tooth) or rebuilding the whole bite. The jaw joint suffers too, and chronic headaches develop. Implants and prosthetics also wear faster with bruxism.
The night guard
An individual night guard is the most practical solution. It is important to understand what it does: a guard does not treat bruxism or stop the grinding. It takes the load itself, so the plastic wears rather than your enamel. It also often reduces morning jaw pain.
Boil-and-bite guards from a pharmacy are cheaper but fit less well and can move teeth. An individual guard is made from impressions (alginate €25, silicone €35).
What else helps
- Less caffeine in the afternoon, no alcohol in the evening.
- A regular sleep routine and a screen-free hour before bed.
- Ruling out sleep apnoea if there is snoring and daytime tiredness — that is a separate, treatable condition.
- Becoming aware of daytime clenching: at rest the teeth should be slightly apart, not together.
- Reducing stress — that is the cause, not the consequence.
If you wake with jaw pain or your teeth seem to be shortening, book an appointment at Unidenta in Tallinn. Wear can be stopped, but tissue already lost has to be rebuilt.