Teeth Clenching & Grinding (Bruxism): What You Need to Know — and How We Can Help

If you’ve ever woken up with a sore jaw, a dull headache, or noticed that your teeth seem to be wearing down, you might be dealing with bruxism — the habit of teeth clenching or grinding your teeth. It’s surprisingly common, affecting roughly one in five people worldwide. What many don’t realise is that bruxism comes in two distinct forms, each with its own triggers and effects.

Awake bruxism usually happens during the day, often when you’re concentrating, stressed, or sitting with poor posture. The forces are generally lighter but can still cause significant jaw fatigue over time.

Sleep bruxism, on the other hand, is an involuntary habit that occurs at night. The jaw muscles can contract with forces up to 100 times stronger than during the day, leading to rapid tooth wear, cracks, and strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The reasons people develop bruxism are rarely simple. It’s often the result of several factors working together — things like bite imbalances, TMJ dysfunction, sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, stress, poor head and neck posture, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies, and even family history. For some, nighttime grinding is actually the body’s way of protecting itself from airway obstruction during sleep. The jaw shifts forward and the teeth grind to help open the airway, but unfortunately, this protective reflex can damage teeth and joints in the process.

Over time, bruxism can have effects well beyond the mouth. Many people experience persistent jaw and facial pain, headaches, neck stiffness, and disturbed sleep. In some cases, it can trigger earache-like symptoms or worsen existing dental problems. That’s why early diagnosis and tailored treatment are so important.

One of our recent patients — a busy local parent in her forties — came to us after months of waking with aching jaw muscles, tension headaches, and a cracked molar. She’d tried a night guard, which helped a little, but the discomfort persisted. After a thorough assessment, we worked alongside her dentist to address both the muscular tension and her bite imbalance. Gentle dry needling and medical acupuncture were used to release tight jaw and neck muscles, easing the pressure almost immediately. Combined with manual therapy, myofunctional exercises, and advice on posture and workstation setup, she reported her first pain-free mornings in years within just a few weeks. The night guard then worked far more effectively because the muscles were no longer constantly in spasm.

There are also simple things you can do yourself to reduce symptoms. Becoming aware of your jaw position during the day is a good start — lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting on the roof of your mouth. Gentle stress management like slow breathing, meditation, or short walks can ease daytime clenching. Checking your posture, especially if you spend hours at a desk or on devices, helps reduce strain on jaw and neck muscles. Good sleep habits and a balanced diet, possibly with nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and vitamin D (if deficient), can also play a role.

The key message is this: Bruxism is treatable. The sooner it’s identified, the sooner you can protect your teeth, relieve discomfort, and improve your quality of life.

By Lorraine Carroll

Dental Physiotherapy with Lorraine Carroll & Simon Coghlan📍 Suite 2, 24–26 Gloucester Road, Buderim, 4556📞 07 3532 8605🌐 www.lcscphysiotherapy.com.au📅 Book online here