Bruxism is the unconscious habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, most commonly during sleep. It affects an estimated 8–10% of adults and can cause significant damage to teeth, restorations, jaw joints (TMJ), and surrounding muscles. Many people are unaware they grind their teeth until a dentist spots the telltale signs — worn tooth surfaces, cracked fillings, or jaw muscle tenderness.

Stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, and certain medications can all contribute to bruxism. The forces involved are considerable — nocturnal grinding can exert up to 250 pounds of pressure, far exceeding normal chewing forces. Over time, this can wear teeth down to stumps, crack restorations, cause chronic headaches, and lead to painful TMJ disorders.

A bite splint (also called a night guard or occlusal splint) is a custom-made acrylic device that fits over your upper or lower teeth. It creates a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, absorbing and distributing the grinding forces to prevent damage. It also relaxes the jaw muscles and reduces clenching intensity, often relieving associated symptoms like headaches, jaw pain, and ear ache.

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Custom-made from dental impressions for a precise, comfortable fit
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Worn during sleep — thin enough to feel comfortable all night
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Protects teeth, fillings, crowns, and veneers from grinding damage
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Relieves jaw pain, headaches, and muscle tension
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  Lasts 3–5 years with proper care

Understanding & Treating Bruxism

From recognising the signs to protecting your teeth with a precision-fitted bite splint

Understanding Bruxism

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is a dangerous habit that wears away enamel and can cause chronic damage to your jaw joint

The dangers of grinding

If you or your partner notice that you grind your teeth while sleeping, it's important to know that this is a dangerous habit that needs to be remedied. When you grind, you are wearing away precious enamel from your teeth — your best line of defence against decay. Your teeth may start looking 'stumpy', short, non-proportional, and worn down. This enamel cannot grow back once it's gone.

Jaw joint damage

Grinding also causes chronic damage to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) — the joint connecting your lower jaw to the base of your skull. Inside the TMJ is a delicate piece of cartilage that, when exposed to repeated high forces from grinding, changes shape and eventually wears away. Early symptoms include an annoying 'crackling' noise or 'clicking' when you talk or eat. In advanced stages, when most cartilage is worn away, you'll experience extreme pain as bone rubs on bone every time you chew or talk.

Recognising the Signs

Common signs of bruxism include jaw pain, headaches, tooth sensitivity, worn tooth surfaces, and damage to dental restorations

Symptoms to watch for

Many people grind their teeth at night without realising it. Common signs include waking up with jaw pain or stiffness, frequent morning headaches (especially around the temples), increased tooth sensitivity, visibly worn or flattened tooth surfaces, chipped or cracked teeth, and damage to existing fillings or crowns. Your partner may also notice the grinding sound at night.

Causes & triggers

Bruxism can be caused by stress and anxiety, an abnormal bite or misaligned teeth, sleep disorders, certain medications, or lifestyle factors such as caffeine and alcohol consumption. While addressing underlying causes is important, a bite splint provides immediate protection for your teeth and jaw joint while you work on the root cause.

The Bite Splint Solution

A custom-made night bite splint prevents tooth wear and jaw joint damage — easy to make and comfortable to wear every night

How it works

A night bite splint (also called an occlusal splint or night guard) is a custom-made dental appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth. It provides a protective barrier between your teeth, absorbing the forces of grinding and preventing direct tooth-on-tooth contact. This prevents enamel wear, protects existing dental work, and reduces the strain on your jaw joints and muscles.

Custom-made for comfort

Unlike over-the-counter 'boil and bite' guards, our bite splints are precision-made from impressions of your teeth to ensure a perfect fit. They are made from high-quality, durable materials that are comfortable to sleep with, don't interfere with breathing, and last for years. Many patients tell us they sleep better with the splint because the jaw muscles are able to relax properly.

Getting Your Bite Splint

A simple two-visit process — impressions at the first visit, fitting the finished splint about two weeks later

Simple process

The process is straightforward. At your first visit, we take accurate impressions of your teeth and assess your bite. These are sent to our dental laboratory, which crafts your custom splint over approximately two weeks. At the second visit, we fit the splint, check the bite, and make any necessary adjustments for optimal comfort.

Using your splint

You wear the splint every night when you sleep. Some people find the grinding habit disappears over time, while others simply make the splint part of their nightly routine — pop it in, go to sleep, and wake up without jaw pain, headaches, or further tooth damage. Clean the splint each morning with cold water and a soft brush, and bring it to your regular check ups so we can inspect it for wear.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know

Grinding bite splints (also called occlusal splints or night guards) are custom-made dental appliances designed to help with teeth grinding (bruxism). They provide a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent enamel wear, tooth damage, and jaw joint problems.

Bite splints are typically worn at night when teeth grinding is most common. However, daytime use may be recommended in some cases — for example, if you notice you clench your teeth during stressful periods at work. Your dentist will advise you based on your specific situation.

Yes, bite splints can be customized for children who suffer from teeth grinding. However, children often outgrow bruxism, so we'll assess whether a splint is appropriate or whether monitoring is sufficient. Our dentists can provide suitable options.

Common signs include jaw pain or stiffness (especially in the morning), frequent headaches, tooth sensitivity, visibly worn or flattened tooth surfaces, chipping of teeth or fillings, and clicking or popping sounds from the jaw joint. If you experience these symptoms, consult our dental team.

Yes, our custom-made bite splints are designed for comfort. They are precision-made from impressions of your teeth, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit that doesn't interfere with breathing. Most patients adapt to wearing them within a few nights and many report sleeping better as their jaw muscles can relax.

The process involves two visits. At the first visit, we take impressions and assess your bite. The laboratory then crafts the splint, which typically takes one to two weeks. At the second visit, we fit the finished splint and make any adjustments for optimal comfort.

Request a Bite Splint Consultation

Suspect you might be grinding? Book an assessment and protect your teeth before more damage is done.

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