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Croydon Dental Practice · Bruxism and jaw pain
Waking with a sore jaw, headaches or worn teeth? Grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, are common. We assess the signs, protect your teeth and, where suitable, make a custom night guard at our dentist in Croydon on Lower Addiscombe Road.
Bruxism is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. It can happen during sleep, when you are not aware of it, or during the day, often when concentrating, stressed or lifting heavy objects. Many people only find out because a partner hears them grinding at night or a dentist spots the wear on their teeth.
Occasional clenching is not usually a problem. When it is frequent or forceful, it can wear and damage teeth, crack fillings and crowns, and overwork the jaw muscles and joints.
You may have one or several of these. Some have other causes too, so it is worth having them checked.
Flat, shiny or shortened biting edges, or teeth that look chipped at the front.
Fillings, crowns or teeth that crack or break more often than you would expect.
Sensitivity to hot or cold where enamel has worn away or tiny cracks have formed.
Tired, tight or aching jaw muscles on waking, or difficulty opening wide.
Dull headaches, often around the temples, especially first thing in the morning.
Clicking, popping or grating sounds from the jaw joint, or a jaw that sometimes catches or locks.
A ridge along the inside of the cheeks or a scalloped edge to the tongue from pressing against the teeth.
Grinding noises during sleep are often the first clue for people who grind at night.
There is rarely a single cause, and the reasons vary from person to person. Stress and anxiety are commonly linked with clenching and grinding. Sleep problems, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea, can be associated with night-time grinding. Caffeine, alcohol, smoking and some recreational drugs may make it worse, and some medicines, including certain antidepressants, list bruxism as a possible side effect. Children often grind their teeth for a time while teeth are changing, and many grow out of it.
If you snore loudly, stop breathing or gasp during sleep, or feel very tired during the day, talk to your GP, as these can be signs of sleep apnoea, which needs medical assessment. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
Most people need a check-up and two short visits if a night guard is recommended.
These are removable appliances worn over the teeth, usually at night. Your dentist will recommend which type suits you.
A rigid acrylic appliance, usually for the upper or lower teeth, shaped so the teeth glide smoothly on it. Often recommended for heavy grinders and for jaw muscle pain.
A softer, flexible guard. It may feel more comfortable at first, but is less durable and is not suitable for everyone, as some people chew on soft guards.
A night guard protects your teeth from wear and spreads the forces of clenching. It does not cure grinding, but many people find their jaw feels more comfortable when wearing one.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are where your lower jaw meets the skull, just in front of the ears. Pain, clicking and stiffness in these joints and the surrounding muscles is often called temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Clenching and grinding can contribute to it, but other factors such as injury, posture and stress can play a part.
Many cases improve with simple self-care: eat softer food for a while, cut food into small pieces, avoid chewing gum and very wide yawning, use a warm compress on the jaw muscles, and try to notice and relax daytime clenching, keeping your lips together and teeth slightly apart. Over-the-counter pain relief can help in the short term. A splint may also help. If symptoms persist, get worse or affect eating, we can refer you or ask your GP to arrange further assessment.
If grinding has already worn or broken teeth, we usually recommend protecting them with a guard first, then planning any repairs. Options range from white fillings and composite bonding to crowns, depending on how much tooth has been lost. Repairs placed without dealing with the grinding are more likely to chip or fail.
Because the right appliance depends on your teeth and symptoms, we confirm the price after your assessment, before anything is made.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| New patient examination with X-rays | £65 |
| Check-up & hygiene | £75 |
| Custom night guard or occlusal splint | Priced after assessment |
| NHS Band 3 (where an appliance is clinically needed and NHS places are available) | £332.10 |
See our full price list. Please call to check NHS availability.
Croydon Dental Practice is at 202 Lower Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe, Croydon CR0 7AB. Addiscombe tram stop is a short walk away and East Croydon station is nearby, so it is easy to reach from across the borough. We are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30; Saturday appointments are by request and we are closed on Sunday.
Regular checks spot early signs of tooth wear.
Restoring teeth that have broken or worn down.
Custom guards to protect teeth from impact in sport.
For some patients, the way teeth meet is part of the picture.
Common clues are a sore jaw or headache in the morning, worn or chipped teeth, sensitivity, or a partner hearing grinding. A dentist can check for signs of wear.
We confirm the price after an assessment, because the right type of guard depends on your teeth and symptoms.
Not usually. A guard protects your teeth from damage and can ease jaw discomfort, but it does not cure the habit itself.
Over-the-counter guards are not made to your bite and some people chew on them. A custom guard fits your teeth and can be adjusted.
Stress and anxiety are commonly linked with clenching and grinding, though there are often several factors involved.
Book an assessment. Many jaw problems settle with self-care and a splint, and we can arrange further assessment if needed.
Book an assessment for teeth grinding, worn teeth or jaw pain. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.
