If you're waking up with a sore jaw, tight temples, or a dull headache that seems to come from nowhere, you might be dealing with teeth grinding also known as bruxism. It's one of the most common (and most overlooked) dental issues in Australia, often happening while you sleep, which means you may not even realise it's occurring until the damage is already visible on your teeth.
In this guide, we'll break down what causes teeth grinding and jaw clenching, how to spot the warning signs, and why a custom-fitted night guard is one of the most effective ways to protect your teeth and jaw long term.
What Is Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)?
Bruxism is when you clench, grind or gnash your teeth, and it usually happens subconsciously, either during waking hours or when you're asleep. Dentists generally split it into two categories:
Awake bruxism – if you only brux during waking hours, you might not need treatment, especially if you can find ways to increase your awareness and reduce stress. Feeling anxious, stressed or angry can make you grind your teeth, and you might also notice your jaw clenching when you're concentrating hard on something.
Sleep bruxism – grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep can cause more harm than bruxing during waking hours because you don't realise it's happening.
Bruxism is more common than most people realise. It's a common behaviour that more than 10% of adults and 15% of children suffer from. It doesn't have a single specific cause instead, it involves multiple factors, including physiological, psychological, and genetic components.
What Causes Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching?
There's rarely one single trigger. Common contributing factors include:
Stress and anxiety — causes include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders and certain medications.
Sleep disorders — research has confirmed a correlation between sleep apnea and teeth grinding.
Lifestyle factors — drinking alcoholic beverages and drinking caffeinated beverages or coffee more than 6 cups a day can increase risk, and people who smoke and drink alcohol are at a 2-fold higher risk of developing bruxism.
Personality traits — people who are very driven and determined are more likely to develop bruxism.
Bite alignment issues — a misaligned bite or missing teeth can create uneven pressure that leads to grinding or clenching.
Signs and Symptoms of Bruxism
Because grinding often happens overnight, many people only find out from a partner, or from their dentist spotting wear patterns during a check-up. Many individuals are unaware they have bruxism until they experience symptoms or their dentist spots signs of wear on their teeth.
Common symptoms include:
Headaches or facial pain, especially in the morning, sore jaw muscles, tinnitus (ringing in your ears), and pain when eating.
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
Earaches, tinnitus, and disturbed sleep.
Visible flattening, chipping, or wearing down of the tooth surfaces.
Left unmanaged, chronic grinding and clenching place ongoing strain on the muscles and joints that connect your jaw to your skull which is why bruxism and jaw clenching are so closely linked to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. Tooth grinding may also cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). If you're experiencing jaw pain, clicking, or restricted movement alongside your grinding symptoms, it's worth exploring our dedicated TMJ treatment page to understand how the two conditions overlap.
How to Stop Grinding Teeth: Treatment Options
The good news is that bruxism is very manageable once it's identified. Approaches typically fall into a few categories:
1. Custom night guards and splints
Dental approaches are often the first line of bruxism treatment, and dentists may recommend splints or mouth guards, which are designed to keep teeth separated and protect them from the damage caused by clenching and grinding. Most people who grind their teeth can ease symptoms with a custom mouth guard.
2. Stress management
Stress management techniques, like yoga, meditation, and exploring hobbies can help reduce awake bruxism triggered by tension.
3. Addressing underlying dental issues
In some cases, a misaligned bite or missing teeth can cause uneven pressure on the teeth, leading to grinding or clenching, and correcting these issues can help to alleviate bruxism symptoms.
4. Regular dental check-ups
Regular dental checkups at least twice a year allow a dentist to examine your mouth for signs of teeth grinding at the early stage, which can prevent long-term damage.
For most patients, a properly fitted night guard remains the simplest and most effective starting point it doesn't stop the underlying urge to grind, but it protects your teeth and jaw from the physical damage while other factors (like stress) are addressed.
Night Guard vs Mouthguard: What's the Difference?
These two terms get used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same thing.
A sports mouthguard is designed to protect your teeth from impact injury during contact sports.
A night guard (occlusal splint) is a device built specifically to manage bruxism it holds the teeth together to prevent damage from bruxism and clenching, rather than cushioning against a sudden impact.
The materials and fit differ too. Night guards used for grinding are generally custom-moulded to sit precisely over your bite, distributing the force of clenching evenly and reducing strain on your jaw joint. A generic, off-the-shelf mouthguard from a pharmacy simply isn't built for that job it can be bulky, ill-fitting, and may not hold up to nightly grinding pressure.
Why a Custom Night Guard Beats an Off-the-Shelf Option
A custom-made night guard is fitted from an impression or scan of your own teeth, which means:
Better fit and comfort — no bulk, no gagging, no slipping out overnight.
More durable materials — built to withstand repeated grinding pressure night after night.
Even bite distribution — reducing excess strain on specific teeth or the jaw joint.
Longer lifespan — a well-made, professionally fitted guard can last for years with proper care.
If you're in Western Australia and searching for a night guard Perth clinics can rely on, it's worth choosing a practice that offers a proper fitting process rather than a generic mould-at-home kit the fit is what makes the difference between genuine protection and ongoing discomfort.
Teeth Grinding Treatment at Two Rocks Dental Care
If you're noticing signs of grinding or clenching, Two Rocks Dental Care can help. The clinic offers custom-fitted mouthguards and splints, designed to protect your teeth and ease the strain caused by nightly grinding or daytime clenching. Rather than a one-size-fits-all product, your guard is fitted specifically to your bite for a comfortable, secure fit you can wear with confidence.
A member of the team can assess your symptoms, check for visible wear or bite issues, and talk you through whether a splint or custom mouthguard is the right fit for your situation. You can learn more about how these appliances work on our custom mouthguards treatment page, or find full details on the clinic via our Two Rocks clinic profile.
When to See a Dentist About Grinding or Clenching
Book an appointment if you notice:
Morning headaches or facial soreness
Jaw pain, tightness, or clicking
Visibly worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
Increased tooth sensitivity
A partner reporting grinding noises at night
The earlier bruxism is identified, the easier it is to manage before it leads to more significant tooth wear or jaw joint problems.
Book Your Appointment Today
Don't wait for morning headaches and jaw pain to become a bigger problem. If you think you might be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, the team at Two Rocks Dental Care can assess your bite and fit you with a custom night guard designed for lasting comfort and protection.
Book your appointment online now and take the first step toward waking up pain-free.
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